Genesis 41:19

KJV

And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

KJV (with Strong's)

And, behold, seven {H7651} other {H312} kine {H6510} came up {H5927} after them {H310}, poor {H1803} and very {H3966} ill {H7451} favoured {H8389} and leanfleshed {H7534}{H1320}, such {H2007} as I never {H3808} saw {H7200} in all the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} for badness {H7455}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After them, there came up out of the river seven more cows, poor, miserable-looking and lean -I've never seen such bad-looking cows in all the land of Egypt!

Berean Standard Bible

After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt!

American Standard Version

and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 41:19 presents the second part of Pharaoh's prophetic dream, vividly depicting seven emaciated, unsightly, and lean-fleshed cows emerging from the Nile, following the previously seen healthy ones. This stark and unsettling imagery serves as a divine warning, signaling an unprecedented period of severe hardship and famine for Egypt, sharply contrasting with a preceding time of abundance and prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of [Joseph's rise to power](/genesis/41 "Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams and Rises to Power"). It immediately follows Pharaoh's description of the seven healthy, fat cows in [Genesis 41:2-4](/genesis/41-2-4 "Pharaoh's Dream of the Fat Cows") and directly precedes their consumption of the healthy cows in [Genesis 41:20](/genesis/41-20 "The Lean Cows Devour the Fat Ones"). Pharaoh recounts this dream to Joseph, emphasizing the vivid and disturbing contrast between the two sets of animals. This dream, along with a second dream about ears of corn, forms the core of God's prophetic message to Egypt, setting the stage for Joseph's divine interpretation and subsequent elevation to a position of immense authority. The entire chapter hinges on these dreams, revealing God's sovereign plan to preserve life amidst impending crisis.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was an agrarian society whose very existence depended on the annual inundation of the Nile River. The Nile's predictable flooding deposited fertile silt, making agricultural abundance possible. Cows were vital livestock, representing wealth, sustenance, and even sacred status (e.g., the goddess Hathor). Dreams were considered significant channels of divine communication in Egyptian culture, often interpreted by priests or wise men. Pharaoh, as the divine king, would naturally seek profound meaning in such a vivid and disturbing dream. The imagery of cows emerging from the Nile would have been immediately recognizable and deeply symbolic to an Egyptian audience, linking the nation's prosperity directly to the health of its primary water source and its livestock. The concept of famine was a real and devastating threat in a land so reliant on a single river's behavior.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams") is rich with theological and narrative themes. **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, as God orchestrates events, even through a pagan king's dream, to fulfill His purposes. The theme of **Divine Revelation** is evident through God's communication via dreams, providing foresight and warning. The stark contrast between the fat and lean cows highlights the theme of **Duality and Contrast**, symbolizing periods of abundance followed by severe scarcity, a pattern often seen in biblical narratives. This verse also contributes to the overarching theme of **God's Providence**, demonstrating His active involvement in human affairs to preserve life and advance His redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the preservation of Jacob's family, as seen in [Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7-8 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Providence"). Finally, the narrative showcases the theme of **Wisdom and Discernment**, exemplified by Joseph's God-given ability to interpret the dream and provide a strategic solution, leading to his elevation from imprisonment to a position of power (see [Genesis 41:39-40](/genesis/41-39-40 "Joseph Appointed Over Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 41:19](/genesis/41-19 "Pharaoh's Dream of the Ill-Favored Cows") offers a powerful and disturbing image within Pharaoh's dream, emphasizing the severity of the impending crisis through the description of the seven cows.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **poor (Hebrew, _dallâh'_):** From H1803, this word properly refers to something dangling, like a loose thread or hair, but figuratively denotes indigence or the poorest sort. In this context, it vividly describes the cows as utterly destitute, reflecting extreme emaciation and lack of sustenance. It implies a state of being utterly depleted and without resources, far beyond mere leanness.
* **ill favoured (Hebrew, _ra' tôʼar'_):** Derived from H7451 (_ra'_, meaning "bad" or "evil") and H8389 (_tôʼar_, meaning "outline, figure, or appearance"), this phrase describes the cows as having a bad or ugly appearance. It signifies a visual repulsiveness, indicating not just a lack of beauty but a disfigurement or malformation due to their wretched condition. This emphasizes the extreme degree of their deterioration, making them visually appalling.
* **leanfleshed (Hebrew, _raq bâsâr'_):** Composed of H7534 (_raq_, meaning "emaciated, as if flattened out") and H1320 (_bâsâr_, meaning "flesh, body"), this term precisely describes the cows as having extremely thin or wasted flesh. It paints a picture of severe and unhealthy weight loss, suggesting that their bodies were reduced to mere skin and bones. This physical state is a direct and dire indicator of severe starvation and deprivation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, seven other kine came up after them,"**: This clause immediately establishes a stark contrast and a sequential relationship with the previously seen healthy cows. The phrase "seven other kine" (cows) explicitly marks them as distinct from the first group, highlighting a dramatic shift in the dream's imagery. Their emergence "after them" implies a succession or consequence, suggesting that this new, negative reality follows the initial period of prosperity.
* **"poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed,"**: This tripartite description powerfully conveys the extreme degradation of these animals. "Poor" (H1803, _dallâh_) denotes their utter destitution and lack of sustenance. "Very ill favoured" (H3966, _mᵉʼôd_ + H7451, _raʻ_ + H8389, _tôʼar_) emphasizes their repulsive and unsightly appearance, indicative of severe distress. "Leanfleshed" (H7534, _raq_ + H1320, _bâsâr_) describes their emaciated physical state, reduced to skin and bones, a direct visual representation of extreme hunger and lack. The "very" (H3966, _mᵉʼôd_) intensifies the description, stressing the unparalleled nature of their wretchedness.
* **"such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:"**: This concluding statement is Pharaoh's personal, emphatic testimony to the unprecedented nature of what he saw. The phrase "never saw" (H3808, _lôʼ_ + H7200, _râʼâh_) underscores the unique and unparalleled severity of these cows' condition. "For badness" (H7455, _rôaʻ_) further stresses the extreme degree of their wretchedness, implying that this was the absolute worst condition he had ever witnessed in all of Egypt. This hyperbolic declaration heightens the dramatic tension and signifies that the impending crisis would be unlike anything the nation had ever experienced.

#### Literary Devices
The description in [Genesis 41:19](/genesis/41-19 "Pharaoh's Dream of the Ill-Favored Cows") employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is central, with the "seven other kine" serving as powerful symbols of the seven years of severe famine that would follow the seven years of abundance. The cows' physical state—"poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed"—is a vivid **metaphor** for the desolation and hardship that would afflict the land. The phrase "such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness" utilizes **hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration, to underscore the unprecedented and catastrophic nature of the impending famine. This hyperbole not only emphasizes the dream's gravity but also serves to heighten the dramatic tension, ensuring Pharaoh (and the reader) fully grasps the dire warning. The strong **contrast** between the healthy cows of [Genesis 41:2](/genesis/41-2 "The Seven Fat Cows in Genesis 41:2") and these emaciated ones creates a powerful visual and thematic juxtaposition, making the dream's meaning unmistakably clear.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:19 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over creation and history, communicating a crucial warning through a pagan king's dream. The extreme degradation of the cows emphasizes the unparalleled severity of the coming famine, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and His ability to reveal future events to humanity. This divine foresight, while alarming, is ultimately an act of grace and providence, providing an opportunity for preparation and preservation. The stark contrast between the two sets of cows highlights the cyclical nature of prosperity and adversity, reminding us that all earthly conditions are ultimately under God's watchful eye and serve His greater purposes, often to draw people to Himself or to prepare His people for His plans.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-20](/deuteronomy/28-15-20 "Consequences of Disobedience") - This passage outlines the curses of disobedience, including famine and blight, showing how God can bring about severe hardship as a consequence or warning.
* [Amos 4:6-9](/amos/4-6-9 "God's Warnings Through Famine") - Here, God recounts sending various forms of judgment, including famine, as a means to bring His people to repentance, echoing the warning aspect of Pharaoh's dream.
* [Revelation 6:5-6](/rev/6-5-6 "The Black Horse of Famine") - The imagery of the black horse bringing famine in the apocalyptic vision of Revelation demonstrates that famine remains a powerful symbol of divine judgment and hardship throughout biblical prophecy.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:19 serves as a potent reminder of God's active involvement in human affairs and His capacity to warn us of impending challenges. Just as Pharaoh received a vivid and unsettling sign of future famine, we are called to cultivate spiritual discernment and practical wisdom to prepare for difficult seasons in our own lives, whether personal, communal, or global. The subsequent narrative of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation and strategic administration in Egypt (see [Genesis 41:33-36](/genesis/41-33-36 "Joseph's Counsel to Pharaoh") and [Genesis 41:48-49](/genesis/41-48-49 "Joseph Gathers Food")) provides a powerful blueprint for how to respond to such warnings: with prudent planning, diligent stewardship, and reliance on God's wisdom. This passage encourages us to be proactive, not complacent, in times of abundance, understanding that resources are a gift from God to be managed wisely. Ultimately, it points to God's overarching providence, assuring us that even in the face of severe hardship, He is at work to preserve His people and fulfill His redemptive purposes, as Joseph himself later affirmed in [Genesis 45:7-8](/genesis/45-7-8 "God Sent Me Before You").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vivid imagery of the "poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed" cows speak to the severity of the warnings God sometimes gives?**
* **In what ways might God be giving us "warnings" today, and how are we called to respond with wisdom and preparation?**
* **How does this narrative encourage us to practice good stewardship and foresight, even in times of plenty?**

### FAQ
**Why did God use dreams to communicate with Pharaoh?**

Answer: God often employed dreams as a common and culturally significant medium of divine communication in the ancient Near East, even with non-believers, to reveal His sovereign plans and purposes. For Pharaoh, a powerful pagan ruler, a dream was a culturally recognizable and impactful way for God to convey a crucial message about the future of his kingdom, demonstrating God's authority over all nations and His ability to work outside the covenant people to achieve His will. This method ensured the message would be taken seriously and acted upon within the Egyptian context.

**What is the significance of the "badness" of the cows being unprecedented?**

Answer: Pharaoh's emphatic statement, "such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness," underscores the extreme severity and unique nature of the coming famine. It signals that this would not be a typical period of scarcity but a catastrophic event, far exceeding any previous hardship Egypt had experienced. This detail highlights the urgency and gravity of God's warning, emphasizing that extraordinary measures would be required for survival and setting the stage for Joseph's unprecedented administrative plan.

**How does this dream relate to God's providence?**

Answer: This dream is a prime example of God's providence, His active and benevolent involvement in human history. By giving Pharaoh this warning, God set in motion a chain of events that would lead to Joseph's elevation from imprisonment to a position of immense power, the preservation of Egypt from devastating famine, and most significantly, the salvation and growth of Jacob's family (Israel) during a critical period. God's foresight allowed for preparation and deliverance, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, demonstrating His meticulous care for His covenant promises and His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Pharaoh's dream and the subsequent famine, interpreted and masterfully managed by Joseph, serves as a profound **type** or foreshadowing of Christ. Just as Joseph, a divinely chosen deliverer, was elevated from imprisonment and obscurity to save a nation from a devastating physical famine through God-given wisdom and foresight (see [Genesis 41:38-40](/genesis/41-38-40 "Joseph, a Man in Whom is the Spirit of God")), so too is Christ the ultimate Deliverer who rescues humanity from spiritual famine and eternal death. The abundance of the seven good years, followed by the desolation of the seven lean years, illustrates the temporal and insufficient nature of earthly provision and the ultimate, desperate need for spiritual sustenance found only in Christ. He is the true "bread of life" (as declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus is the Bread of Life")), who provides eternal nourishment and salvation, ensuring that those who come to Him will "never hunger" and "never thirst." Furthermore, like Joseph, who gathered and stored grain for the world's salvation (see [Genesis 41:48-49](/genesis/41-48-49 "Joseph Gathers and Stores Grain")), Christ has gathered and stored up eternal life through His sacrifice, offering it freely to all who believe, so that no one who trusts in Him will perish but have everlasting life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "For God So Loved the World")). He is the one who prepares His people not just for physical hardship, but for an eternal reality of abundant life in Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Came That They May Have Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.