Pharaoh's Dream of Cows and Grain

Seven fat cows devoured by seven thin cows. Seven plump ears of grain swallowed by seven withered ones. Only Joseph could interpret what no Egyptian magician could - and it saved nations from famine.

In the Book of Genesis, Pharaoh experienced two troubling dreams that none of his wise men could interpret. The first featured seven healthy cows being devoured by seven gaunt cows, and the second showed seven full heads of grain being consumed by seven withered ones, symbolizing seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph, a Hebrew prisoner, successfully interpreted these dreams, leading to his appointment as second-in-command over Egypt to prepare for the coming crisis. This event is significant as it facilitated the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt, fulfilling God's covenant promises and setting the stage for the Exodus narrative.

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Details

Category: Patriarchs
Dreamer: Pharaoh
Interpretation: Seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Joseph interprets and is elevated to power.

Key Chapters

Genesis 41 Pharaoh's Dreams 8 min read God uses Pharaoh's dream to reveal His sovereign plans, preparing Joseph to pres...

Key Passages

The Dream

Genesis 41:1-7

God uses Pharaoh's dream to reveal His sovereign plans, preparing Joseph to preserve many lives through coming abundance and famine.

A¹nd it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

² And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 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. ⁴ And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. ⁵ And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. ⁶ And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. ⁷ And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

Interpretation

Genesis 41:25-32

This passage shows how God reveals future seasons of plenty and need, guiding wise preparation through His sovereign insight.

A²⁵nd Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

²⁶ The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. ²⁷ And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. ²⁸ This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. ²⁹ Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: ³⁰ And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; ³¹ And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. ³² And for 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.

Did You Know?

Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows and seven ugly, thin cows that devoured them.

Joseph interpreted it as seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine.

The repetition of two dreams confirmed the certainty of the coming events.