Pharaoh's Dream Explained as Seven Plenty and Seven Famine Yearsby KyleS
41:2Genesis 41:2
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
After Joseph had remained two more years in gloomy prison, the Lord gave Pharaoh two dreams in one night, and this verse opens the first. In it Pharaoh stood upon the bank of the river and watched seven well-favored and fat-fleshed kine come up out of the river and feed in a meadow. Then seven poor, very ill-favored and lean kine ate the seven fat kine yet remained ill-favored, and seven withered thin ears blasted with the east wind ate seven full good ears. Both dreams pointed to the same event and foreshadowed great calamity.
In the morning the dreams troubled Pharaoh's mind because he could not understand or determine their significance, and his perplexity and distress increased until terror spread throughout his palace. He related them to the magicians and wise men of Egypt, who had a reputation for solving difficulties, but with all their magic and boasted wisdom none of them could interpret or declare them to him.
Their failure reminded the chief butler that Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker, convicting him of forgetfulness and ingratitude. It led Pharaoh in humiliation to turn from his learned men to accept the services of a Hebrew slave. Joseph was brought hastily out of the dungeon, shaved himself, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. He modestly disclaimed any superior wisdom in himself, saying his knowledge was no greater than that of those Pharaoh had consulted and that God alone can explain mysteries and would give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Then he heard Pharaoh repeat the opening of the dream recorded in this verse.
After Joseph had remained two more years in gloomy prison, the Lord gave Pharaoh two dreams in one night, and this verse opens the first. In it Pharaoh stood upon the bank of the river and watched seven well-favored and fat-fleshed kine come up out of the river and feed in a meadow. Then seven poor, very ill-favored and lean kine ate the seven fat kine yet remained ill-favored, and seven withered thin ears blasted with the east wind ate seven full good ears. Both dreams pointed to the same event and foreshadowed great calamity.
In the morning the dreams troubled Pharaoh's mind because he could not understand or determine their significance, and his perplexity and distress increased until terror spread throughout his palace. He related them to the magicians and wise men of Egypt, who had a reputation for solving difficulties, but with all their magic and boasted wisdom none of them could interpret or declare them to him.
Their failure reminded the chief butler that Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker, convicting him of forgetfulness and ingratitude. It led Pharaoh in humiliation to turn from his learned men to accept the services of a Hebrew slave. Joseph was brought hastily out of the dungeon, shaved himself, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. He modestly disclaimed any superior wisdom in himself, saying his knowledge was no greater than that of those Pharaoh had consulted and that God alone can explain mysteries and would give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Then he heard Pharaoh repeat the opening of the dream recorded in this verse.