TRV
Translation
Berean Standard Bible
Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.
American Standard Version
and the lean and ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
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In the KJVVerse 1,216 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 41 verses 17–32
17 ¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
19 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:
20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
Here, I. Pharaoh relates his dream. He dreamt that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw the kine, both the fat ones and the lean ones, come out of the river. For the kingdom of Egypt had no rain, as appears, Zac 14:18, but the plenty of the year depended upon the overflowing of the river, and it was about one certain time of the year that it overflowed. If it rose to fifteen or sixteen cubits, there was plenty; if to twelve or thirteen only, or under, there was scarcity. See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet, whatever the second causes are, our dependence is still the same upon the first Cause, who makes every creature that to us that it is, be it rain or river.
II. Joseph interprets his dream, and tells him that it signified seven years of plenty now immediately to ensue, which should be succeeded by as many years of famine. Observe, 1. The two dreams signified the same thing, but the repetition was to denote the certainty, the nearness, and the importance, of the event, Gen 41:32. Thus God has often shown the immutability of his counsel by two immutable things, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18. The covenant is sealed with two sacraments; and in the one of them there are both bread and wine, wherein the dream is one, and yet it is doubled, for the thing is certain. 2. Yet the two dreams had a distinct reference to the two things wherein we most experience plenty and scarcity, namely, grass and corn. The plenty and scarcity of grass for the cattle were signified by the fat kine and the lean ones; the plenty and scarcity of herb for the service of man by the full ears and the thin ones. 3. See what changes the comforts of this life are subject to. After great plenty may come great scarcity; how strong soever we may think our mountain stands, if God speak the word, it will soon be moved. We cannot be sure that tomorrow shall be as this day, next year as this, and much more abundant, Isa 56:12. We must learn how to want, as well as how to abound. 4. See the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine, that provision might be made accordingly. Thus he sets the one over-against the other, Ecc 7:14. With what wonderful wisdom has Providence, that great housekeeper, ordered the affairs of this numerous family from the beginning hitherto! Great variety of seasons there have been, and the product of the earth is sometimes more and sometimes less; yet, take one time with another, what was miraculous concerning the manna is ordinarily verified in the common course of Providence, He that gathers much has nothing over, and he that gathers little has no lack, Exo 16:18. 5. See the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great increase of the years of plenty was quite lost and swallowed up in the years of famine; and the overplus of it, which seemed very much, yet did but just serve to keep men alive, Gen 41:29-31. Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them, Co1 6:13. There is bread which endures to everlasting life, which shall not be forgotten, and which it is worth while to labour for, Joh 6:27. Those that make the things of this world their good things will find but little pleasure in remembering that they have received them, Luk 16:25. 6. Observe, God revealed this beforehand to Pharaoh, who, as king of Egypt, was to be the father of his country, and to make prudent provision for them. Magistrates are called shepherds, whose care it must be, not only to rule, but to feed.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–32. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 41:20 vividly depicts the second, more ominous part of Pharaoh's initial dream, where seven emaciated and unsightly cows consume seven plump, healthy cows. This disturbing imagery serves as a divine premonition of seven years of devastating famine that would entirely obliterate the preceding seven years of abundant prosperity in Egypt. It underscores God's sovereign control over history and His foresight, providing a crucial warning that, when interpreted by Joseph, prompted strategic preparation and ultimately preserved countless lives.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Genesis 41:20 is embedded within the pivotal narrative of Pharaoh's prophetic dreams, which initiate a dramatic turning point in Joseph's life and the history of Israel. The verse immediately follows the description of the first seven "fatfleshed and well favoured kine" grazing by the river Genesis 41:1-3. The abrupt shift to the appearance of "seven other kine, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed" Genesis 41:4 and their subsequent consumption of the healthy ones creates a stark and unsettling contrast. This dream is then paralleled by a second dream of seven good ears of grain being devoured by seven thin, blasted ears Genesis 41:5-7, reinforcing the certainty and severity of the impending crisis. The repetition of the "seven" motif and the theme of consumption highlights the divine origin and crucial importance of the message, setting the stage for Joseph's miraculous interpretation and elevation.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Egypt was an agrarian society whose prosperity was inextricably linked to the annual flooding of the Nile River, which fertilized the land. Cattle were a primary measure of wealth, sustenance, and agricultural success, making them a potent symbol for economic well-being. The concept of "fat" animals represented abundance and health, while "lean" and "ill favoured" animals symbolized scarcity, disease, and hardship. Famines were a recurring threat in the ancient Near East, often caused by irregular Nile floods or regional droughts, leading to widespread suffering and death. Pharaoh, as the divine king, was responsible for the welfare of his people, and such a dream would have been deeply unsettling, directly challenging his perceived control over the land's fertility and prosperity. The dream's imagery would have resonated profoundly with Egyptian sensibilities, making its message immediately comprehensible and alarming to Pharaoh and his court.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates Divine Revelation and Sovereignty, demonstrating God's ability to communicate His plans and warnings directly to human leaders, even those outside the covenant community, as seen in Pharaoh's dreams. The dream also highlights the Cycles of Abundance and Scarcity that characterize human existence, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, from the agricultural laws in Deuteronomy to the warnings of judgment in the prophetic books. Crucially, it sets the stage for God's Providence and Preservation, showing how God orchestrates seemingly unrelated events—Joseph's imprisonment, Pharaoh's dreams—to bring about His redemptive purposes, ultimately preserving the nascent nation of Israel through Joseph's elevation and the provision of grain, as seen in Joseph's later reflections. The dream's vivid imagery also underscores the Consuming Nature of Famine, emphasizing that the coming hardship would not merely diminish but utterly obliterate the preceding prosperity, demanding a radical response.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 41:20 presents a stark and unsettling image from Pharaoh's dream, directly foreshadowing the economic and agricultural crisis that would soon grip Egypt. The dream's progression from prosperity to utter devastation is not merely sequential but actively destructive, as the lean consume the fat. This imagery powerfully conveys the totality of the coming famine, indicating that the years of hardship would not simply follow, but would actively obliterate the gains of the good years, leaving the nation in a state of severe deprivation.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful Symbolism and Contrast to convey its message. The "fat kine" symbolize years of prosperity and abundance, while the "lean and ill favoured kine" symbolize years of severe famine and hardship. The Contrast between these two sets of animals is stark, highlighting the dramatic shift from plenty to destitution. The act of the lean kine "eating up" the fat kine is a vivid Metaphor for the consuming nature of the famine, illustrating that the years of scarcity would not merely follow the years of plenty but would actively devour and negate all the accumulated resources. This Personification of the kine, particularly their active consumption, imbues the dream with a sense of agency and impending doom, making the warning profoundly impactful and memorable for Pharaoh.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:20, as part of Pharaoh's divinely inspired dream, powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over the natural world and human history. It reveals His capacity to warn humanity of impending events, even using imagery accessible to a pagan ruler, demonstrating that His providence extends beyond His covenant people. The dream's stark contrast between abundance and scarcity underscores the transient nature of earthly prosperity and the necessity of wise stewardship and preparation, not just for physical survival but also for spiritual resilience. Ultimately, this episode serves as a testament to God's meticulous planning, setting the stage for Joseph's elevation and the preservation of the nascent nation of Israel, thereby ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:20 offers profound lessons for contemporary life, urging foresight, responsible stewardship, and a deep reliance on God's wisdom. Just as Pharaoh's dream served as a divine warning of future scarcity, we are called to exercise prudence in managing all our resources—financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual—during times of abundance. This verse reminds us that seasons of prosperity are often transient, and periods of challenge or "lean years" may inevitably follow. It compels us to cultivate habits of saving, preparation, and spiritual discipline when times are good, understanding that such foresight builds resilience for future difficulties. Ultimately, it encourages us to seek God's guidance in all our planning and to trust in His sovereign provision, even when circumstances seem dire, recognizing that He often uses difficult situations to refine our character, deepen our faith, and bring about His greater purposes in our lives and the world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God use such a vivid and disturbing dream for Pharaoh?
Answer: God often uses powerful, memorable, and even disturbing imagery in dreams and visions to convey urgent messages, especially to those who might not otherwise listen or understand the gravity of the situation. The unsettling nature of the dream in Genesis 41:20, with the lean consuming the fat, was designed to ensure Pharaoh would not easily dismiss it. This vividness was crucial for highlighting the severity and certainty of the impending famine, thereby prompting the necessary action (storing grain) to save Egypt and, ultimately, God's chosen people. It served as an unmistakable divine warning that demanded immediate attention and response.
What is the significance of cattle ("kine") in Pharaoh's dream?
Answer: In ancient Egypt, cattle were a primary measure of wealth, agricultural prosperity, and sustenance, deeply integrated into their economy and daily life. They represented the very foundation of the nation's well-being and survival. By using cattle as the central imagery in the dream, God communicated His message in a way that was immediately understandable and impactful to Pharaoh and his advisors, directly relating to the nation's economic health. The stark contrast between "fat kine" (representing abundance) and "lean and ill favoured kine" (representing devastating scarcity) vividly and powerfully symbolized the coming shift from prosperity to famine, making the dream's meaning unmistakable to an agrarian society.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 41:20 directly describes a historical prophecy and its fulfillment in ancient Egypt, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment through the overarching narrative of Joseph, who serves as a profound type of Christ. Joseph, though unjustly imprisoned and forgotten, was elevated by God's divine wisdom and providence to save a nation from a devastating famine, providing both physical sustenance and salvation from death for countless people, including his own family. In the same way, Christ, though suffering unjustly and crucified, was exalted by God to be the ultimate provider of spiritual sustenance and salvation from eternal death for all who believe John 6:35. Just as Joseph gathered and stored grain during the years of plenty to provide for the years of famine, so Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, has secured an eternal abundance of grace and life for His people, preparing them for any spiritual "lean years" and ultimately delivering them from the famine of sin and death John 10:10. God's meticulous providence in preserving His people through Joseph's elevation ensured the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His redemptive plan despite human sin, natural disasters, and the cycles of history Galatians 4:4-5.