Genesis 41:5

KJV

And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he slept {H3462} and dreamed {H2492} the second time {H8145}: and, behold, seven {H7651} ears of corn {H7641} came up {H5927} upon one {H259} stalk {H7070}, rank {H1277} and good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he went to sleep again and dreamt a second time: seven full, ripe ears of grain grew out of a single stalk.

Berean Standard Bible

but he fell back asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, came up on one stalk.

American Standard Version

And he slept and dreamed a second time: and, behold, seven ears of grain came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 41:5 vividly portrays Pharaoh's second divinely-sent dream, a powerful and symbolic vision of seven robust and flourishing ears of grain emerging from a single stalk. This dream, following closely on the heels of his first, serves as a crucial repetition, underscoring the certainty and divine origin of the impending message concerning years of abundant prosperity, which will be followed by devastating famine, thereby setting the stage for Joseph's providential interpretation and his elevation to a position of immense authority to save Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 41:5 is an integral part of the narrative arc detailing Pharaoh's unsettling dreams and Joseph's subsequent rise to power. It immediately follows Pharaoh's first dream of seven fat cows being devoured by seven lean ones, as recorded in [Genesis 41:1-4](/genesis/41-1-4 "Pharaoh's First Dream and Distress"). The repetition of the dream, albeit with different imagery (livestock versus agriculture), is a significant literary device employed to emphasize the divine origin and certainty of the message, a point that [Joseph himself later elucidates](/genesis/41-32 "Joseph's Explanation of Dream Repetition") when he explains 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." This doubling creates a sense of urgency and divine imperative, compelling Pharaoh to seek an interpretation and ultimately paving the way for Joseph's release from prison and his elevation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was an agrarian society whose very existence and prosperity were inextricably linked to the annual inundation of the Nile River. The "corn" mentioned in the King James Version refers to staple grains like wheat or barley, which were the bedrock of the Egyptian economy and diet. Dreams held profound significance in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often regarded as direct communications from deities. Rulers, in particular, sought interpretations from wise men, priests, or diviners, believing such dreams carried portents for the kingdom's future. Pharaoh's distress and his subsequent search for an interpreter were entirely consistent with the cultural norms of his time, highlighting the weight placed upon divine revelation through nocturnal visions. The imagery of abundant grain would have immediately resonated with an Egyptian audience as a clear sign of prosperity and divine favor.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Pharaoh's dreams, including the one in [Genesis 41:5](/genesis/41-5 "Pharaoh's Second Dream"), contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs, even those of pagan rulers, to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The dreams also highlight the theme of **Divine Revelation**, showing God communicating His plans and future events to humanity. The **Repetition** of the dream underscores the certainty and urgency of God's message, a principle that recurs throughout Scripture. Finally, the stark contrast between the "rank and good" ears and the later description of "blasted with the east wind" ears (not in this verse but in the dream's continuation) introduces the theme of **Abundance and Scarcity**, calling for **Wisdom and Stewardship** in preparation for challenging times, a theme that Joseph's subsequent administration perfectly embodies, as seen in [Genesis 41:47-49](/genesis/41-47-49 "Joseph's Storage of Grain").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dreamed (Hebrew, _châlam'_ H2492):** This primitive root primarily means "to bind firmly" or "to be plump," but it extends to the figurative sense of "to dream." In this context, it signifies a divinely-imparted vision received during sleep, indicating a message that is firm, established, and carries significant weight. The connection to "plumpness" subtly foreshadows the abundant years to come.
* **rank (Hebrew, _bârîyʼ'_ H1277):** Derived from a root meaning "to create" or "to fatten," this adjective describes something as "fatted," "plump," "firm," or "plenteous." Here, it vividly portrays the ears of corn as exceptionally healthy, robust, and full, indicating an extraordinary abundance and vitality that goes beyond mere goodness.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_ H2896):** This broad adjective encompasses a wide range of positive qualities, including "beautiful," "best," "excellent," "pleasant," and "prosperous." When paired with "rank," it reinforces the idea of superlative quality and desirability, emphasizing that the coming years of plenty will not just be abundant, but also exceedingly beneficial and desirable for Egypt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he slept and dreamed the second time:"** This clause immediately establishes the continuation of Pharaoh's prophetic experience. The repetition of the dream is crucial, signaling to both Pharaoh and the reader that this is not a random occurrence but a divinely orchestrated, emphatic message. The act of sleeping and dreaming highlights the passive reception of a revelation that transcends human understanding or control.
* **"and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk,"** The phrase "and, behold" serves as an interjection, drawing attention to the sudden, awe-inspiring nature of the vision. The imagery shifts from the previous dream's cows to "seven ears of corn," symbolizing agricultural abundance. The detail "upon one stalk" emphasizes the extraordinary fertility and unity of the harvest, suggesting a concentrated and unified period of prosperity. The number seven, often symbolic of completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, further underscores the totality and fullness of the coming years.
* **"rank and good."** These two adjectives provide a detailed description of the ears of corn. "Rank" (H1277, _bârîyʼ'_) denotes plumpness, health, and fullness, while "good" (H2896, _ṭôwb'_) signifies quality, excellence, and desirability. Together, they paint a picture of unprecedented agricultural bounty, indicating a period of immense prosperity and well-being for the land of Egypt, setting a stark contrast to the lean years that will follow.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as this is Pharaoh's second dream, echoing the first in its unsettling nature and the number seven. This doubling serves to emphasize the certainty and divine origin of the message, a point explicitly stated by Joseph later in the chapter. **Symbolism** is also central, with the "seven ears of corn" representing seven years of abundant harvest, a clear and tangible image for an agrarian society. The description "rank and good" uses vivid **Imagery** to convey the extraordinary quality and quantity of the coming prosperity. Furthermore, the dream itself functions as **Foreshadowing**, providing a divinely revealed glimpse into Egypt's immediate future, preparing the way for the unfolding drama of famine and Joseph's providential role.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:5 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over all creation and history, even extending His revelation to a pagan king for the ultimate benefit of His chosen people and the wider world. The repetition of the dream underscores the certainty of God's word and His desire for humanity to heed His warnings and provisions. This divine foresight is an act of profound providence, not only revealing future events but also preparing the means for survival through wise stewardship. The dream's imagery of "rank and good" abundance, contrasted with the later vision of "thin and blasted" ears, highlights the cyclical nature of prosperity and hardship, impressing upon humanity the crucial need for prudent management of resources during times of plenty.

* [Genesis 41:32](/genesis/41-32 "Joseph's Explanation of Dream Repetition") - Joseph explains that the doubling of the dream signifies its divine establishment and imminent fulfillment.
* [Proverbs 6:6-8](/proverbs/6-6-8 "Ants as an Example of Diligence") - This passage encourages foresight and diligent preparation during times of plenty, mirroring the wisdom required to respond to Pharaoh's dream.
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "God's Counsel Stands Forever") - This psalm affirms God's ultimate sovereignty over the plans of nations, aligning with His control over Pharaoh's dreams and Egypt's future.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Pharaoh's second dream in Genesis 41:5 offers profound lessons for believers today. Just as Pharaoh was confronted with a divinely sent warning that demanded attention and action, we too are called to be acutely attentive to God's voice in our lives. This may come through the clear and consistent teachings of Scripture, the guiding promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of trusted spiritual mentors. The dream's depiction of "rank and good" abundance, immediately followed by the implicit threat of scarcity, serves as a powerful reminder of the ephemeral nature of earthly prosperity and the critical importance of wise stewardship. It compels us to cultivate foresight, practice prudent planning, and exercise generosity during seasons of blessing, not merely for our own future security but also to be a resource for others. Recognizing that all resources are ultimately gifts from God, we are challenged to manage them faithfully, preparing not only for potential future challenges but also for the ongoing needs of our communities and the advancement of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the repetition of Pharaoh's dream encourage us to pay closer attention to recurring themes or warnings in our own lives or in Scripture?**
* **In what ways can we practically apply the principle of wise stewardship during times of personal or collective abundance, preparing for potential future needs?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereign control over even seemingly random events (like dreams) impact our trust and reliance on Him in uncertain times?**

### FAQ
**Does "corn" in this verse refer to modern maize?**

Answer: No. In the King James Version, "corn" is an archaic English term that refers generically to any type of grain, such as wheat, barley, or other cereals. In the context of ancient Egypt, it would most certainly refer to the staple grains cultivated along the fertile banks of the Nile River, which were primarily wheat and barley. Maize, which is what modern English speakers typically associate with "corn," is native to the Americas and was unknown in the Old World (including Egypt) at the time this biblical account takes place. Therefore, the "ears of corn" in [Genesis 41:5](/genesis/41-5 "Pharaoh's Second Dream") are heads of grain, full and ripe, signifying a bountiful harvest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine foresight revealed in Pharaoh's dreams and the subsequent elevation of Joseph to save Egypt from a devastating famine serve as a potent Old Testament type, powerfully pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Joseph, a divinely chosen deliverer, received and interpreted the dreams, providing the means of physical salvation for a people facing certain death by starvation, so too does Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, interpret the spiritual realities of sin and judgment, offering Himself as the eternal solution. He is the true "Bread of Life" who came down from heaven ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus: The Bread of Life")), providing spiritual nourishment that satisfies eternally, unlike the temporal grain Joseph stored. God's providential care for His people through Joseph, ensuring their physical survival in a time of crisis, perfectly foreshadows His ultimate, redemptive plan fulfilled in Christ, who gathers His people from every nation ([John 11:52](/john/11-52 "Jesus to Gather God's Scattered Children")) and provides for their every need, both temporal and, more significantly, eternal. Through Christ, we are saved from the spiritual famine of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin is Death")), receiving abundant life and everlasting sustenance in Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Gives Abundant 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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 32:14

Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.