Keraia
Genesis 41

Genesis 41:2

The Dreams of Pharaoh · Genesis 41:1–13
Read Genesis 41

Translations

Modern
…when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.
Traditional
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
Literal
And behold, out of the River came up seven cows, beautiful of appearance and fat of flesh, and they grazed among the reeds.
Latin
…de quo ascendebant septem boves, pulchræ et crassæ nimis: et pascebantur in locis palustribus.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
…when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.

Notes

Genesis 41:1–4

Pharaoh's first dream was about cows. Cows often stood half-submerged in the Nile River's reeds to escape the heat and flies. They would leave the water to find grass.

The second group of cows worried Pharaoh because they were thin but were able to swallow the fat cows.

Genesis 41:1–46

God had used two dreams to identify Joseph as a leader among his brothers (37:5–11). He used two dreams to test Joseph’s faith in prison (40:5–14). Now God used two more dreams to raise Joseph from prison to a place of high honor and authority.

Joseph had shown that he was faithful in small tasks. Now God would give him responsibility over greater things.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Joseph Pharaoh Symbolic Numbers Visions

Events

Places

Nile: The major river of Egypt, mentioned in various contexts

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Butler Dreams Famine Genesis, Book of Jacob Nile River Numbers and Numerology Patriarchs, Period of the Prophecy Reed

Topics

Dream: Pharaoh Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Pharaoh Egypt: Watered by the Nile Heathen: Divine Revelations Given to Pharaoh Joseph: Son of Jacob of Pharaoh Kine (Bovine): Pharaoh's Dream of Prisoners: Joseph Promotion: Joseph, from Imprisoned Slave to Prince Seven: Miscellany of Sevens: Seven Cows and Seven Ears of Grain in Pharaoh's Vision Seven: Years of Abundance For Seven: Years: A Famine Lasted in Egypt For The Ox: Kine: (Well Favoured) Years of Plenty