What number verse is Genesis 41:23 in the Bible?

Genesis 41:23 is the 1,219th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Genesis 41:23 sits at position 1,219.

41:2241:22

Genesis 41:23

Q: What is the significance of the "east wind" in Pharaoh's dream?

The "east wind" (Hebrew: qadîym) is highly significant because it typically refers to a hot, dry, and scorching wind prevalent in the ancient Near East, particularly in regions like Egypt. Such winds were notorious for bringing drought, withering vegetation, and causing widespread agricultural devastation. Its inclusion in Pharaoh's dream intensifies the imagery of destruction, indicating that the coming famine would be severe, widespread, and devastating to the land's produce, not merely a localized or minor shortage. It points to a natural force that would actively destroy the bounty of the land, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the impending crisis.

41:2441:24

Translation

King James Version

And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:

Ask

KJV (with Strong's)

And, behold, seven ^H7651 ears ^H7641, withered ^H6798, thin ^H1851, and blasted ^H7710 with the east wind ^H6921, sprung up ^H6779 after them ^H310:

Ask

Complete Jewish Bible

After them, seven ears, thin and blasted by the east wind, sprang up.

Ask

Berean Standard Bible

After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind.

Ask

American Standard Version

and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:

Ask

World English Bible Messianic

and behold, seven heads of grain, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.

Ask

Geneva Bible (1599)

And lo, seuen eares, withered, thinne, and blasted with the East winde, sprang vp after them.

Ask

Young's Literal Translation

and lo, seven ears, withered, thin, blasted with an east wind, are springing up after them;

Ask

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Genesis 41:23 presents a pivotal image from Pharaoh's second dream, depicting seven ears of grain that are "withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind," emerging after the healthy ones. This vivid imagery serves as a dire divine warning of an impending, severe famine that would utterly consume the land's prosperity, setting the stage for Joseph's providential interpretation and Egypt's subsequent strategic preparation.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is an integral part of Pharaoh's two perplexing dreams recounted in Genesis 41. Following his initial dream of seven fat cows being devoured by seven emaciated ones, Pharaoh immediately dreams a parallel vision: seven healthy, full ears of grain are succeeded by seven "withered, thin, and blasted" ears. The deliberate pairing of these dreams, each featuring seven prosperous entities consumed by seven blighted ones, underscores their unified message of impending crisis and highlights the divine origin of the revelation. This repetition emphasizes the certainty and severity of the coming events, creating a narrative tension that is resolved only by Joseph's God-given interpretive wisdom, thus elevating him from prisoner to prime minister and setting the stage for the preservation of Egypt and, ultimately, the nascent nation of Israel.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Egypt's agricultural prosperity was almost entirely dependent on the annual inundation of the Nile River. A consistent, predictable flood ensured fertile soil and abundant harvests. Conversely, a series of low floods or other adverse climatic conditions could lead to widespread famine. Dreams were widely considered a significant means of divine communication in the ancient Near East, with rulers often employing interpreters to discern their meaning. The "east wind" (Hebrew: qadîym) mentioned in the text was particularly feared in the region, known for its hot, dry, and scorching nature, capable of withering crops and bringing desolation, especially in the fertile Nile Delta. Thus, the imagery of "blasted with the east wind" would have immediately conveyed a clear and terrifying picture of agricultural ruin to Pharaoh and his court, resonating deeply with their lived experience and fears regarding crop failure.
Key Themes: Genesis 41:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Foremost among these is Divine Sovereignty, demonstrating God's ultimate control over natural phenomena and human affairs, even those of a pagan king. The dream also exemplifies Divine Revelation, showcasing God's ability to communicate His plans and warnings to humanity, often through unexpected means, as seen in Daniel 2:28. Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of Wisdom and Discernment, as Joseph's God-given insight is crucial for understanding and responding to the divine message. Finally, it underscores Providence and Preparation, as God's warning through the dream is not merely predictive but serves as an impetus for strategic action, ultimately leading to the preservation of many lives, including the family of Jacob, which is central to God's covenant plan, as detailed in the broader narrative of Genesis.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Genesis 41:23 vividly portrays the destructive aspect of Pharaoh's second dream, contrasting sharply with the "seven ears of corn, full and good" described in Genesis 41:22. This imagery is not merely descriptive but profoundly symbolic, representing a period of severe hardship and scarcity that would directly follow a time of great abundance. The specific descriptors—"withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind"—are crucial for understanding the dream's message and the nature of the coming famine.

Key Word Analysis

withered (Hebrew, tsânam', H6798): From a primitive root meaning "to blast or shrink," this word describes a state of severe desiccation and decay. In the context of grain, it signifies a complete loss of moisture and vitality, rendering the plant useless for sustenance. This term powerfully conveys the destructive impact of the impending famine on agricultural produce.
thin (Hebrew, daq', H1851): Derived from a root meaning "crushed," this term implies a state of being small, lean, or lacking substance. When applied to ears of grain, it indicates a lack of kernels, a failure to fill out, or a shriveled appearance. It directly contrasts with the "full" ears, emphasizing the utter lack of yield and the resulting scarcity.
east wind (Hebrew, qâdîym', H6921): This term refers to the fore or front part, and by orientation, the East. In the ancient Near East, the "east wind" was notoriously hot, dry, and scorching, known for its devastating effects on vegetation, causing crops to wither and die. Its inclusion here specifies the destructive agent, indicating that the famine would be caused by a pervasive, natural force that would scorch the land's bounty.

Verse Breakdown

"And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin,": This clause immediately introduces the stark contrast to the previous vision of healthy grain. The "seven ears" parallel the seven years of plenty, but their condition—"withered" (desiccated, shriveled) and "thin" (lacking substance, meager)—visually communicates a state of severe agricultural failure and profound scarcity. This imagery directly points to a widespread famine that would negate any previous abundance.
"[and] blasted with the east wind,": This phrase identifies the destructive agent and intensifies the imagery of ruin. The "blasted" (scorched, destroyed) condition of the ears is attributed to the "east wind" (qadîym). As discussed in the key word analysis, this wind was a known harbinger of drought and desolation in the ancient Near East. Its presence signifies that the coming famine would not be a minor shortage but a comprehensive, pervasive agricultural blight, a force of nature that would utterly destroy the land's produce.
"sprung up after them:": This final clause emphasizes the sequential nature of the dream. The blighted ears "sprung up after" the healthy ones, signifying that the period of severe scarcity would directly follow and effectively undo the period of prosperity. This sequence highlights a principle of divine ordering where abundance can be swiftly followed by hardship, underscoring the cyclical nature of God's dealings with humanity and the land, and the direct consequence of the destructive forces.

Literary Devices

Genesis 41:23 is rich in Imagery, painting a vivid picture of desolation through the descriptors "withered, thin, and blasted." This sensory language allows the audience to viscerally grasp the severity of the impending famine. Symbolism is central, as the seven blighted ears represent seven years of severe scarcity, directly contrasting with the seven healthy ears (and fat cows) that symbolize seven years of abundance. This creates a powerful Contrast between prosperity and desolation, emphasizing the dramatic shift in circumstances. The phrase "blasted with the east wind" functions as a form of Metonymy or Synecdoche, where the specific destructive agent (the wind) stands for the broader natural forces that would cause the famine. Furthermore, the entire dream serves as Foreshadowing, divinely revealing future events to Pharaoh and, through Joseph's interpretation, preparing Egypt for the coming crisis.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Genesis 41:23 powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in human history and His sovereign control over creation. The dream serves as a divine revelation, a clear and urgent warning from God to Pharaoh, demonstrating that even a pagan ruler's destiny and the fate of his nation are under the purview of the Almighty. This highlights God's ability to communicate His will and purposes through various means, even to those outside His covenant people, to advance His overarching redemptive plan. The imagery of the "east wind" further underscores God's dominion over natural forces, using them as instruments of both blessing and judgment, orchestrating events to fulfill His divine agenda. The dream, therefore, is not just a prediction but a divine impetus for wise stewardship and preparation, ultimately leading to the preservation of life and the unfolding of God's covenant promises to Abraham's descendants.

Daniel 2:28 - God, through His prophets, reveals mysteries and future events to kings and nations.
Amos 4:7-9 - God declares His sovereignty over nature, using drought and famine as instruments of judgment and a call to repentance.
Deuteronomy 28:22 - This verse, part of the covenant curses, explicitly mentions "blasting" and "mildew" as divine judgments on crops, paralleling the destructive imagery of the "east wind" in Genesis 41:23.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Genesis 41:23 serves as a profound reminder of God's active presence and ultimate sovereignty in all aspects of life, including the seemingly random occurrences of natural phenomena. Just as Pharaoh received a clear, divinely orchestrated warning of impending scarcity, we are called to cultivate spiritual attentiveness and wisdom, discerning the "signs of the times" in our own lives and in the world around us. This passage underscores the vital importance of foresight, responsible stewardship, and diligent preparation during times of abundance, recognizing that periods of hardship or "lean years" may inevitably follow. It challenges us to not become complacent in prosperity but to wisely manage resources, both material and spiritual, for future needs. Ultimately, it fosters a posture of humble dependence on God, trusting that even through seasons of difficulty and desolation, He is working His sovereign purposes for our ultimate good and the advancement of His kingdom, calling us to respond with faith and obedience.

Questions for Reflection

How does the imagery of "withered, thin, and blasted" ears of grain speak to potential areas of spiritual or emotional "famine" in our own lives or communities?
What lessons can we draw from Pharaoh's dream about the importance of preparing for future challenges, both practically and spiritually, during times of abundance?
In what ways does this passage encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty and providential care, even when facing difficult or uncertain circumstances?

FAQ

What is the significance of the "east wind" in Pharaoh's dream?

Answer: The "east wind" (Hebrew: qadîym) is highly significant because it typically refers to a hot, dry, and scorching wind prevalent in the ancient Near East, particularly in regions like Egypt. Such winds were notorious for bringing drought, withering vegetation, and causing widespread agricultural devastation. Its inclusion in Pharaoh's dream intensifies the imagery of destruction, indicating that the coming famine would be severe, widespread, and devastating to the land's produce, not merely a localized or minor shortage. It points to a natural force that would actively destroy the bounty of the land, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the impending crisis.

Why did God communicate with Pharaoh through dreams?

Answer: God often communicated through dreams in the Old Testament, particularly with those outside the covenant community, to reveal His power, warn of impending events, and advance His redemptive plan. In Pharaoh's case, it demonstrated God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to use any means, even a pagan ruler's dreams, to orchestrate events that would ultimately lead to the preservation of Jacob's family and the eventual formation of the nation of Israel. This divine communication also served to elevate Joseph from imprisonment to a position of immense power, where he could fulfill God's purposes as a deliverer and preserver of life, as seen throughout Genesis 41.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Genesis 41:23 vividly describes a physical famine, its imagery and underlying themes point to a deeper spiritual reality ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Just as Joseph, empowered by divine wisdom, prepared Egypt for the coming scarcity, Christ is the ultimate provider who prepares His people for spiritual needs and sustains them through every "famine" of life. He is the "bread of life" who came down from heaven (John 6:35) to satisfy our deepest spiritual hunger and thirst, offering eternal sustenance where the world offers only "withered, thin, and blasted" spiritual provisions and fleeting satisfactions. Furthermore, Joseph's providential role in preserving physical life foreshadows Christ's ultimate work of salvation, rescuing humanity from the spiritual desolation of sin and death, and bringing them into the abundance of eternal life found only in Him (John 10:10). He is the true "shepherd" who leads us to green pastures and still waters, ensuring that we "shall not want" for true spiritual nourishment (Psalm 23:1-2).

Copy as

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.

Copy as

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.

Copy as

Continue studying Genesis 41:23 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.

Book

Chapter : Verse

Cross-References

Hosea 9:16
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
Hosea 13:15
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Psalms 129:6
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
Psalms 129:7
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
2 Kings 19:26
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
Hosea 8:7
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Genesis 41:6
And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.