Genesis 41:3
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
This verse is part of the first of two dreams given to Pharaoh in one night, both pointing to the same event and foreshadowing a great calamity. The dreams came after Joseph had remained two more years in prison, while Pharaoh in his dream stood upon the bank of the river. The seven other kine that came up after the seven fat kine were poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, worse in badness than any seen in all the land of Egypt. They ate up the first seven fat kine, yet it could not be known that they had eaten them, for they remained still ill-favored as at the beginning.
In the morning the dreams troubled Pharaoh's mind because he could not determine their significance or understand them. He called for the magicians and wise men of Egypt and related his dreams to them, expecting their reputation for solving difficulties to help, but with all their magic and boasted wisdom they could give no interpretation. Their failure increased perplexity and distress, and terror spread through the palace.
Seeing his distress brought Joseph to the chief butler's mind with conviction of forgetfulness and ingratitude, leading Pharaoh to turn from his learned men and send for the Hebrew servant to obtain relief. The meaning could be made known by God alone and not by human wisdom, which Joseph humbly disclaimed in himself when called to give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Joseph later interpreted the dreams.