TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
Complete Jewish Bible
and the abundance will not be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, because it will be truly terrible.
Berean Standard Bible
The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe.
American Standard Version
and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine which followeth; for it shall be very grievous.
World English Bible Messianic
and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Neither shall the plentie bee knowen in the land, by reason of this famine that shall come after: for it shalbe exceeding great.
Young's Literal Translation
and the plenty is not known in the land because of that famine afterwards, for it is very grievous.
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In the KJVVerse 1,227 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 41:31, a pivotal declaration within Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, starkly predicts the overwhelming severity of the coming seven-year famine in Egypt. It foretells a scarcity so profound that the preceding seven years of abundant harvest would be utterly forgotten, their memory eclipsed by the pervasive suffering and hardship, underscoring the famine's devastating and inescapable impact on the land and its inhabitants.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 41:31 vividly portrays the catastrophic nature of the impending famine, declaring that "And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it [shall be] very grievous." This is not merely a prediction of scarcity but of a famine so profound that it would erase the very memory of the preceding years of abundance.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey its message. Hyperbole is evident in the statement "the plenty shall not be known," which is an exaggeration used to emphasize the extreme severity of the coming famine. It does not mean people would literally forget the good years, but that the overwhelming suffering would make the memory of prosperity seem utterly insignificant or irrelevant. This hyperbole underscores the profound psychological and physical impact the famine would have. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of Contrast established between the "plenty" and the "famine," highlighting the dramatic shift from abundance to extreme scarcity. This juxtaposition serves to amplify the devastating nature of the impending crisis. The entire verse also functions as Foreshadowing, not only of the literal famine but also of God's providential hand in preparing a way for His people, as Joseph's wisdom in managing the crisis would ultimately lead to the preservation of Jacob's family and the nation of Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:31 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His meticulous orchestration of human history. The prophecy of such a severe famine, revealed through Joseph, underscores that even natural disasters are within God's providential control and can serve His purposes, whether for judgment, discipline, or, as in this case, to set the stage for the preservation and growth of His chosen people. It also serves as a profound lesson in the transient nature of earthly abundance and the critical importance of wise stewardship, reminding humanity to prepare for future challenges during times of prosperity, fostering a reliance on God rather than complacency in material blessings.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:31 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary life, urging individuals and communities to cultivate foresight, prudence, and responsible stewardship. Just as Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare diligently during the years of plenty, we are called to manage our resources—whether financial, environmental, spiritual, or relational—with wisdom and discernment, anticipating future needs and challenges rather than succumbing to complacency during times of abundance. This verse encourages a balanced perspective, fostering deep gratitude for present blessings while recognizing their potential transience, and ultimately prompting a deeper, unwavering trust in God's overarching providence to guide us through both seasons of plenty and periods of severe trial. It reminds us that true security is found not in accumulated wealth but in a steadfast reliance on the Lord, who is faithful through all circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How could the memory of plenty be "not known"?
Answer: The phrase "the plenty shall not be known" signifies the extreme psychological and physical impact of the famine, rather than a literal forgetting. It means that the overwhelming suffering, hunger, and death would so dominate the collective experience that the previous years of prosperity would seem utterly insignificant, distant, or even unreal in comparison to the present misery. The sheer scale of the famine would consume all focus and memory, making the good times seem like a faint, irrelevant dream, effectively erasing their practical relevance from the daily struggle for survival.
Does this verse suggest God causes famine?
Answer: The Bible often portrays natural events, including famines, as being within God's sovereign control and sometimes as instruments of His purposes. In this narrative, God reveals the coming famine through Joseph, indicating His foreknowledge and ultimate authority over such occurrences. While it highlights God's power to orchestrate events, it also underscores His mercy and providential care in providing a means of preparation and survival through Joseph's wisdom. This demonstrates that even amidst hardship, God's ultimate aim is often redemptive, working all things together for the good of those who love Him, as seen in Romans 8:28.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 41:31 directly concerns a physical famine in ancient Egypt, it profoundly foreshadows Christ and His redemptive work. Joseph, as the one who interprets the divine warning and provides the means of salvation from physical death, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as Joseph gathered grain during the years of plenty to save a nation from a devastating physical famine, Christ is the ultimate provider who gathers His people and offers spiritual sustenance, saving humanity from the eternal famine of sin and spiritual death. He is the "bread of life" John 6:35 who ensures that those who come to Him will never spiritually hunger or thirst, providing an abundance of grace and truth that will never be forgotten or overshadowed by any spiritual scarcity. Through Christ, God's perfect foresight and boundless provision are fully realized, offering eternal life and an everlasting spiritual abundance that transcends all earthly trials and ensures that the "plenty" of His salvation will be eternally known and celebrated Revelation 7:16-17.