Genesis 41:30

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;

And there shall arise {H6965} after them {H310} seven {H7651} years {H8141} of famine {H7458}; and all the plenty {H7647} shall be forgotten {H7911} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}; and the famine {H7458} shall consume {H3615} the land {H776};

but afterwards, there will come seven years of famine; and Egypt will forget all the abundance. The famine will consume the land,

but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land.

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;

Commentary

Genesis 41:30 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Joseph in Egypt, detailing the dire prediction of a severe famine that would follow a period of unprecedented abundance. This verse is part of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation of Pharaoh's two prophetic dreams, revealing God's plan for the land of Egypt and, ultimately, for Joseph's family.

Context

This verse immediately follows Joseph's prophecy of seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh had been troubled by dreams involving fat and lean cows, and full and blighted ears of corn. Joseph, empowered by God, explained that these dreams symbolized two distinct periods: a time of immense prosperity followed by an equally devastating famine. Verse 30 specifically describes the nature and impact of this coming scarcity, emphasizing its intensity and the forgetfulness of the prior abundance it would cause.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Revelation: The verse highlights God's sovereign control over natural events and His ability to reveal future occurrences to humanity, as seen in Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams. This prophetic insight was crucial for preparation.
  • The Severity of Famine: The phrase "all the plenty shall be forgotten" powerfully conveys the extreme nature of the coming famine. It suggests that the hardship would be so overwhelming that the memory of previous abundance would vanish, consumed by the immediate and desperate need. The famine would not just affect a region, but "consume the land," indicating its widespread and destructive impact.
  • Contrast of Prosperity and Scarcity: This verse underscores the stark contrast between the two periods, illustrating life's transient nature and the unpredictable shifts in fortune. It serves as a stark reminder that periods of prosperity can quickly give way to times of great adversity.
  • God's Preparatory Plan: Although a prophecy of hardship, this revelation was a divine mercy, allowing for preparation. This sets the stage for Joseph's rise to power and his strategic management of resources, which would ultimately preserve not only Egypt but also his own family, fulfilling God's larger redemptive purposes, as Joseph later acknowledges in Genesis 45:5.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "famine" is ra'av (ืจึธืขึธื‘), which denotes severe hunger and scarcity of food. The term "consume" comes from the Hebrew verb kalah (ื›ึผึธืœึธื”), meaning to complete, to finish, to fail, or to utterly destroy. In this context, it powerfully describes the famine's ability to utterly exhaust and devastate the land, leaving nothing in its wake.

Practical Application

Genesis 41:30 holds several timeless lessons:

  • Wisdom in Preparation: Just as Joseph advised Pharaoh to store up grain during the years of plenty (Genesis 41:33-36), we are called to exercise wisdom and foresight in managing our resources and preparing for future uncertainties, both materially and spiritually.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even when facing difficult prophecies or challenging circumstances, this narrative reminds us that God is in control. He often reveals future events or allows hardships for a greater purpose, often to bring about salvation or to test and strengthen faith.
  • Perspective on Prosperity: The idea that "all the plenty shall be forgotten" serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of earthly possessions and comforts. It encourages a focus on eternal values and a reliance on God rather than on fleeting material wealth.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 47:13 (4 votes)

    ยถ And [there was] no bread in all the land; for the famine [was] very sore, so that the land of Egypt and [all] the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.

  • Genesis 41:54 (4 votes)

    And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

  • Psalms 105:16 (2 votes)

    Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

  • James 5:17 (2 votes)

    Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

  • Proverbs 31:7 (1 votes)

    Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

  • Genesis 41:56 (1 votes)

    And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

  • 2 Kings 8:1 (1 votes)

    ยถ Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.