Genesis 41:4

And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

And the ill {H7451} favoured {H4758} and leanfleshed {H1851}{H1320} kine {H6510} did eat up {H398} the seven {H7651} well {H3303} favoured {H4758} and fat {H1277} kine {H6510}. So Pharaoh {H6547} awoke {H3364}.

Then the miserable-looking and lean cows ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. At this point Pharaoh woke up.

And the cows that were sickly and thin devoured the seven sleek, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up,

And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

Commentary

Context

This verse describes the climactic moment of Pharaoh's first troubling dream, as recorded in Genesis 41:1-3. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is depicted as deeply disturbed by vivid imagery that no Egyptian wise man or magician could interpret. The dream features seven fat, healthy cows being devoured by seven emaciated, ugly cows. This disturbing vision sets the stage for God's divine intervention, ultimately leading to Joseph's release from prison and his elevation to a position of power in Egypt.

Key Themes

  • Divine Communication through Dreams: The narrative highlights how God, in His sovereignty, can communicate His future plans even to those outside the covenant people, like Pharaoh. This dream serves as a direct prophetic message from God concerning the future of Egypt and the surrounding lands.
  • Symbolism and Foreshadowing: The dream is rich with symbolism, clearly foreshadowing a period of abundance followed by a devastating famine. The "ill favoured and leanfleshed kine" vividly represent the severity and consuming nature of the coming scarcity.
  • God's Providence: Even amidst pagan rulers and an ungodly society, God orchestrates events to fulfill His ultimate purposes. This dream and its subsequent interpretation are crucial steps in God's plan to preserve the family of Jacob (Israel) during a severe famine, demonstrating His providential hand in human affairs.

Linguistic Insights

The term "kine" is an archaic plural form of "cow" in the King James Version, commonly used in older English texts. The descriptions "ill favoured and leanfleshed" and "well favoured and fat" are highly descriptive, emphasizing the stark contrast between prosperity and destitution. The phrase "did eat up" powerfully conveys the idea of complete consumption, indicating that the years of famine would utterly deplete and negate the abundance of the good years, leaving nothing behind.

Symbolic Meaning

The symbolism of this dream is straightforward and profound, later explained by Joseph in Genesis 41:25-32. The seven "well favoured and fat kine" represent seven years of extraordinary agricultural plenty and prosperity in Egypt. Conversely, the "ill favoured and leanfleshed kine" symbolize seven years of severe famine that would follow. The act of the lean kine devouring the fat kine signifies that the famine would be so intense and widespread that it would entirely consume the resources accumulated during the years of plenty, leaving the land impoverished and its inhabitants in great distress.

Practical Application

Genesis 41:4 reminds us of several timeless truths:

  • God's Sovereignty: Even in what seems like a random dream, God is at work, revealing His plans and demonstrating His control over all circumstances, whether good or bad. We can trust that He is always working for His purposes.
  • The Importance of Foresight and Preparation: The dream's clear warning, once interpreted, calls for immediate and diligent preparation. This underscores the wisdom of planning and stewarding resources during times of abundance to brace for potential future difficulties.
  • Divine Communication: God can communicate His will and warnings through various means. This story encourages attentiveness to divine leading and seeking understanding, especially in times of uncertainty. The severity of the coming famine, as depicted by the devouring kine, highlights the urgency of heeding God's warnings (see Genesis 41:54).
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 3:15 (2 votes)

    And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.