Genesis 41 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Genesis 41 meaning explained in AI Summary

The pharaoh appoints Joseph as his second-in-command, responsible for overseeing the storage of grain during the years of abundance. Joseph marries Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. They have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

This chapter marks a turning point in the Joseph narrative. After years of hardship, including being sold into slavery and falsely imprisoned, Joseph's ability to interpret dreams leads to his sudden rise to power in Egypt.

1. Pharaoh's Dreams (verses 1-36): Pharaoh is troubled by two vivid dreams: seven healthy cows devoured by seven sickly cows, and seven healthy ears of grain swallowed by seven withered ears. Disturbed, he seeks an interpreter. The cupbearer remembers Joseph's accurate dream interpretations from prison and recommends him to Pharaoh.

2. Joseph Interprets the Dreams (verses 15-36): Joseph, brought before Pharaoh, interprets both dreams as a single message from God: seven years of abundant harvest will be followed by seven years of severe famine. He advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise administrator to oversee the storage of surplus grain during the good years to prepare for the famine.

3. Joseph's Rise to Power (verses 37-45): Impressed by Joseph's wisdom and insight, Pharaoh appoints him as his second-in-command over all of Egypt. He gives Joseph a new Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah, dresses him in fine linen, puts a signet ring on his finger, and parades him through the city, proclaiming, "Without your consent, no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt."

4. Joseph's Marriage and Family (verses 46-52): At the age of thirty, Joseph marries Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On. They have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, born during the seven years of plenty.

5. The Famine Begins (verses 53-57): As predicted, the seven years of abundance end, and the famine begins, not only in Egypt but also in all the surrounding lands. People cry out for food, and Joseph opens the storehouses to sell grain to the Egyptians and people from other nations.

Key Themes:

God's Sovereignty: Despite the hardships Joseph faces, God is working behind the scenes to orchestrate his rise to power and ultimately save lives.
Forgiveness and Redemption: Joseph, though wronged by his brothers, shows no bitterness and ultimately uses his position to help them during the famine.
Wisdom and Preparation: Joseph's wise counsel to Pharaoh highlights the importance of planning and preparation in the face of future challenges.

This chapter sets the stage for the dramatic reunion of Joseph and his brothers, who come to Egypt seeking food during the famine, unaware that their long-lost brother is now the powerful ruler of the land.

Genesis 41 bible study ai commentary

Joseph's dramatic rise from the dungeon to the palace, orchestrated by God's sovereign hand, is the central theme of Genesis 41. Through the divine revelation of dreams, God not only saves a nation from famine but also positions His servant Joseph to be the savior of his own family, fulfilling the covenant promises. The chapter demonstrates God's absolute control over history, the impotence of pagan wisdom against divine truth, and presents Joseph as a powerful type of the exalted Christ who provides bread and life for a dying world.

Genesis 41 context

The events likely occur in the Middle Kingdom or the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt, possibly under the rule of the Semitic Hyksos kings who would have been more open to elevating a fellow Semite like Joseph. Egyptian culture was deeply religious, with a pantheon of gods governing every aspect of life, especially the Nile, agriculture, and divination. The Pharaoh was considered a divine intermediary, if not a god himself. His inability, and that of his wisest magicians and priests, to understand a divine message from the one true God serves as a powerful polemic, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy over the entire Egyptian religious system.

Genesis 41:1-8

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 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 the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

In-depth-analysis

Two full years: This marks a significant period of waiting and testing for Joseph after the events of chapter 40, reinforcing the theme of God's perfect timing.
The river (ye’or): This specifically refers to the Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt. The dreams originating from the Nile directly challenge the gods associated with it, such as Hapi (god of the inundation) and Osiris (god of agriculture and life).
Cows and Grain: These are primary symbols of sustenance and economic stability. The fat cows are linked to the goddess Hathor. The vision shows Egypt's very foundation of life being consumed.
His spirit was troubled (wattippa’em rucho): This is the same powerful Hebrew phrase used to describe Nebuchadnezzar's state in Daniel 2:1. It signifies a divinely induced agitation that human wisdom cannot soothe.
Magicians and wise men: These were the pinnacle of Egyptian intellect and spiritual authority. Their complete failure to interpret the dreams demonstrates the bankruptcy of pagan wisdom when confronted with a direct revelation from the true God.

Bible references

Daniel 2:1-3: ...Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled... And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” (Parallel royal dream and failure of pagan wise men).
Isaiah 29:14: ...the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden. (God frustrating the wisdom of the worldly wise).
1 Corinthians 1:20: Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (The failure of human wisdom).

Cross references

Dan 4:5-7 (second account of king's dream and wise men failing), Ex 7:11 (Egyptian magicians), Isa 47:12-13 (critique of astrologers/diviners), Acts 7:9-10 (Stephen recounts this history).

Polemics: This narrative section serves as a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon. The dream, given by Yahweh, involves the very symbols of Egypt’s divine providers (Hathor as a cow, the Nile's fertility). Their failure to interpret it shows their gods are either silent, ignorant, or non-existent. Yahweh is the God who both sends the dream and provides the interpretation, asserting His sovereignty over Egypt.

Genesis 41:9-13

Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: The butler... recounted Joseph's correct interpretation of his and the baker's dreams.

In-depth-analysis

I do remember my faults (et-chata'ay ani mazkir hayyom): The cupbearer’s confession is not one of moral sin, but of a dereliction of duty—his failure to fulfill his promise to Joseph. This is not mere chance but a divinely orchestrated moment where his memory is jogged for God's higher purpose.
The retelling of the story from chapter 40 serves to validate Joseph’s proven skill to Pharaoh.

Bible references

Genesis 40:23: Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. (Direct fulfillment of the inaction that is now being rectified).
Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Highlights the perfect timing of God's plan).

Cross references

Proverbs 21:1 (God directs the king's heart and, by extension, his servants), Psalm 105:19-20 (God's word tested Joseph until the appointed time).

Genesis 41:14-16

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

In-depth-analysis

Hastily... shaved... changed raiment: This reflects both the urgency of the situation and the strict court etiquette in Egypt. Shaving was customary for Egyptians, distinguishing them from other Semitic peoples who often wore beards. Joseph conforms to the culture to gain a hearing.
It is not in me (bil'aday): Joseph’s first words to the most powerful man in the world are a profound statement of humility and faith. He immediately deflects all glory and points to God as the source of wisdom.
God shall give (Elohim ya'aneh): Joseph boldly proclaims that God, not he, is the one who will speak. He frames the coming interpretation as a "favorable answer" or "an answer of peace" (Hebrew: shelom), reassuring Pharaoh that the message, while serious, comes for his benefit.

Bible references

Daniel 2:27-28: Daniel answered... “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery... but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” (Direct parallel of deflecting glory to God before a pagan king).
2 Corinthians 3:5: Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. (NT principle embodied by Joseph).
Acts 3:12: And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” (Apostles deflecting praise to God).

Cross references

John 7:16 (Jesus says His teaching is not His own), John 5:19, 30 (Jesus can do nothing of Himself), 2 Cor 4:7 (treasure in earthen vessels).

Genesis 41:17-32

Pharaoh recounts his dreams... Joseph then gives the interpretation: the two dreams are one, signifying seven years of great plenty followed by seven years of devastating famine that would consume the memory of the plenty. Joseph repeatedly states, "What God is about to do he has shown to Pharaoh."

In-depth-analysis

Pharaoh's additions: In his retelling, Pharaoh adds emotional detail, describing the lean cows as "poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness" (v. 19), emphasizing the horror of the vision.
The dream is one: Joseph connects the two distinct symbols (cows and grain) to a single, unified divine message.
The thing is established by God: The repetition of the dream (v. 32) is not for emphasis but is a divine idiom signifying that the decree is certain and will happen soon. Joseph speaks with absolute prophetic authority.

Bible references

Genesis 41:25, 28, 32: The repetition of "God has shown," "What God is about to do," and "the thing is established by God" underscores the divine origin and certainty of the prophecy.
Numbers 23:19: God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (God's word is certain and unchangeable).

Cross references

Rev 4:1 (a door opened in heaven to show what must take place), Amos 3:7 (God reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets).

Genesis 41:33-36

Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years...

In-depth-analysis

From interpreter to counselor: Joseph immediately transitions from revealing the problem to proposing a detailed, practical solution. This demonstrates that his wisdom is not merely mystical but intensely administrative and practical.
Discreet and wise ('ish navon vechakam): These are key terms for godly wisdom throughout the Old Testament (e.g., describing Solomon). Joseph outlines the very qualities needed for the job he will soon receive.
Take up the fifth part (20%): This was a specific, actionable, and significant tax. It was a bold and potentially unpopular policy, yet presented as the only path to survival.

Bible references

Proverbs 6:6-8: Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. (The principle of preparing in times of plenty).
Acts 7:10: ...and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. (Stephen's summary highlights that this wisdom was a gift from God).

Cross references

Proverbs 22:3 (a prudent person foresees danger and hides himself), Luke 12:42 (the faithful and wise manager).

Genesis 41:37-45

And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh... And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?... Pharaoh elevates Joseph, giving him his signet ring, fine linen robes, a gold chain, a new name, Zaphenath-paaneah, and a wife, Asenath.

In-depth-analysis

Spirit of God (ruach Elohim): Pharaoh, a pagan king, correctly identifies the source of Joseph's unparalleled wisdom. This is a remarkable confession, acknowledging a spiritual power beyond his own pantheon.
Signet ring, linen, gold chain: These are the official insignia of the vizier, or second-in-command. The signet ring gave Joseph the authority to act in Pharaoh’s name. This investiture transferred royal authority to him.
Zaphenath-paaneah: An Egyptian name meaning "the God speaks and he lives" or "revealer of secrets." It signifies his new identity and role in Egypt.
Asenath daughter of Potiphera: His marriage to the daughter of the priest of On (Heliopolis), a major center for the sun god Ra, fully integrates him into the highest echelons of Egyptian society. This also presents a potential spiritual danger, which Joseph evidently navigates faithfully.

Bible references

Daniel 6:3: Then this Daniel was distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. (Another Hebrew in a foreign court recognized for a divine spirit).
Philippians 2:9-11: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name... (A typological link to Christ's exaltation after His humiliation).
Esther 6:11: So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square... (Another example of a Hebrew's sudden, divinely-ordained exaltation).

Cross references

1 Sam 2:8 (God raises the poor from the dust), Psa 113:7-8 (lifts the needy to seat them with princes), Dan 5:29 (Daniel is clothed in purple by Belshazzar).

Genesis 41:46-49

And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt... And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food... and laid up the food in the cities... And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

In-depth-analysis

Thirty years old: This is a significant age, marking full maturity. It parallels the age at which Levites began their full service (Num 4:3) and the age at which Jesus began His public ministry. It marks the end of 13 years of suffering for Joseph (from age 17).
By handfuls...as the sand of the sea: These phrases depict an almost supernatural abundance, a fulfillment of God's promise of plenty. The imagery of "sand of the sea" also echoes the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 22:17).
He left numbering: The abundance was so overwhelming it exceeded their ability to account for it, highlighting both God's immense provision and Joseph's diligence as a steward.

Bible references

Luke 3:23: Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age... (Significant parallel age for the start of a saving work).
Genesis 22:17: ...I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. (The language of covenant blessing is used to describe the grain).
2 Chronicles 1:9: Solomon requests wisdom to govern a people as numerous "as the dust of the earth," another parallel to the covenant promises.

Cross references

Numbers 4:3, 23, 30 (age for full Levitical service), 1 Ki 4:20, 29 (Solomon's kingdom was abundant and his wisdom vast), Psa 78:23-25 (God raining down food).

Genesis 41:50-52

And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came... And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

In-depth-analysis

Manasseh (from nashah, "to forget"): This is not a bitter forgetting but a theological statement of healing. God’s blessing has been so profound that it has overshadowed the pain of his betrayal ("all my toil") and his grief of separation ("all my father's house").
Ephraim (from parah, "to be fruitful"): Joseph explicitly acknowledges that his prosperity has come "in the land of my affliction." He doesn't deny the suffering but recognizes God's power to bring life and blessing out of it. Together, the names narrate a journey from pain to praise.

Bible references

Jeremiah 31:13: ...I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. (The principle of God reversing fortunes).
Isaiah 61:3: ...to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit... (Thematic parallel of divine restoration).
Philippians 3:13: ...but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead... (A forward-looking perspective rooted in a new identity).

Cross references

Psa 30:11 (turned my mourning into dancing), Isa 54:1-4 (blessing after barrenness and shame), Rom 8:28 (all things work together for good).

Genesis 41:53-57

And the seven years of plenteousness... were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come... and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread... And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

In-depth-analysis

As Joseph had said: The famine begins precisely on schedule, vindicating Joseph’s prophecy and, by extension, his God.
The famine was in all lands: The crisis was global (for their known world), which elevates Joseph's role from a national administrator to a world savior. It also explains why his family in Canaan would be forced to seek grain in Egypt.
Go to Joseph; what he saith to you, do: Pharaoh’s decree places absolute authority in Joseph’s hands. He becomes the sole source of life and sustenance. This is perhaps the most powerful typological statement in the chapter, pointing directly to Christ. All who wanted to live had to go through Joseph.

Bible references

John 6:35: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger...” (Jesus as the sole source of spiritual life).
Acts 4:12: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (The exclusive claim of salvation through Christ parallels the exclusive access to grain through Joseph).
Matthew 28:18: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Joseph is given all authority over the land of Egypt).

Cross references

Acts 7:11-12 (Stephen recounts the famine and Jacob sending the patriarchs), Psa 105:16, 20-22 (God called for a famine but made Joseph lord to feed them), John 2:5 (Mary's words at Cana, "Do whatever he tells you," echo Pharaoh's decree).

Genesis chapter 41 analysis

Joseph as a Type of Christ: This is the chapter's dominant theological theme.| Joseph | Christ || ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- || Humbled, rejected by brothers, imprisoned | Humbled, rejected, crucified || Exalted from prison to Pharaoh's right hand | Exalted from the grave to God's right hand || Age 30 at the start of his saving work | Approx. age 30 at the start of His public ministry || Given a new name (Zaphenath-paaneah) | Given the name above all names (Phil 2:9) || Gentiles (Egyptians) seek him for life first | The Gospel goes to the Gentiles || Saves the whole world from physical famine | Saves the whole world from spiritual death || People are told "Go to Joseph" to live | People are told "Come to Me" to have eternal life || Dispenses physical bread | Is the Bread of Life |
Sovereignty of God: God is in complete control, from giving the dreams, to troubling Pharaoh's spirit, to orchestrating the cupbearer's memory, to providing the interpretation and wisdom, to fulfilling the prophecy exactly.
The Spirit of God: Joseph’s empowerment is explicitly attributed to the ruach Elohim. Even pagans recognize this spiritual reality, a testament to its undeniable power working through a yielded vessel. This foreshadows the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
Faithfulness in Obscurity: Joseph's 13 years of suffering and waiting were a period of character formation. His faithfulness in the small things (as a slave, as a prisoner) prepared him for his role as ruler over a kingdom.

Genesis 41 summary

Pharaoh, king of Egypt, has two troubling dreams about fat and lean cows, and healthy and thin ears of grain, which his wise men cannot interpret. The chief cupbearer remembers Joseph, who is brought from prison. Joseph gives God the glory and explains the dreams mean seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. He wisely counsels Pharaoh to store grain during the good years. Impressed by the Spirit of God in Joseph, Pharaoh makes him second-in-command over all of Egypt. Joseph, now age 30, successfully manages the years of plenty. He has two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, whose names celebrate God’s healing and blessing. When the predicted famine strikes the entire region, Egypt is the only nation with food, and people from all countries come to buy grain from Joseph, the sole provider of bread.

Genesis 40 AI Genesis 42 AI

Genesis 41 AI Image Audio and Video

Genesis chapter 41 kjv

¹ And 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 favored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
³ And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favored and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
⁴ And the ill favored and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favored 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.
⁸ And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
⁹ Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
¹⁰ Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
¹¹ And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
¹² And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
¹³ And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
¹⁴ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
¹⁵ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
¹⁶ And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
¹⁷ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
¹⁸ And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favored; and they fed in a meadow:
¹⁹ And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favored and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
²⁰ And the lean and the ill favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
²¹ And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
²² And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
²³ And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
²⁴ And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
²⁵ And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed 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 favored 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 showeth 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.
³³ Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
³⁴ Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
³⁵ And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
³⁶ And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
³⁷ And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
³⁸ And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
³⁹ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
⁴⁰ Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
⁴¹ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
⁴² And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
⁴³ And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁴ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁵ And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁶ And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁷ And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
⁴⁸ And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
⁴⁹ And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
⁵⁰ And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
⁵¹ And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
⁵² And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
⁵³ And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
⁵⁴ And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
⁵⁵ And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
⁵⁶ And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
⁵⁷ And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Genesis chapter 41 nkjv

¹ Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.
² Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.
³ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river.
⁴ And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.
⁵ He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good.
⁶ Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.
⁷ And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream.
⁸ Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.
⁹ Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day.
¹⁰ When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker,
¹¹ we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.
¹² Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream.
¹³ And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him."
¹⁴ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.
¹⁵ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it."
¹⁶ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."
¹⁷ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: "Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river.
¹⁸ Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.
¹⁹ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt.
²⁰ And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows.
²¹ When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke.
²² Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good.
²³ Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.
²⁴ And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."
²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do:
²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one.
²⁷ And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine.
²⁸ This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.
²⁹ Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt;
³⁰ but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.
³¹ So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe.
³² And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
³³ "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
³⁴ Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.
³⁵ And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
³⁶ Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine."
³⁷ So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.
³⁸ And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?"
³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
⁴⁰ You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you."
⁴¹ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
⁴³ And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁴ Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
⁴⁵ And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁶ Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁷ Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly.
⁴⁸ So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them.
⁴⁹ Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.
⁵⁰ And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.
⁵¹ Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house."
⁵² And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
⁵³ Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended,
⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
⁵⁵ So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do."
⁵⁶ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.
⁵⁷ So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.

Genesis chapter 41 niv

¹ When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile,
² when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds.
³ After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank.
⁴ And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
⁵ He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk.
⁶ After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted?thin and scorched by the east wind.
⁷ The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
⁸ In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
⁹ Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.
¹⁰ Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.
¹¹ Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.
¹² Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.
¹³ And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled."
¹⁴ So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.
¹⁵ Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
¹⁶ "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
¹⁷ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,
¹⁸ when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds.
¹⁹ After them, seven other cows came up?scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt.
²⁰ The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first.
²¹ But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.
²² "In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk.
²³ After them, seven other heads sprouted?withered and thin and scorched by the east wind.
²⁴ The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me."
²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.
²⁷ The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
²⁸ "It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.
²⁹ Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt,
³⁰ but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.
³¹ The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.
³² The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
³³ "And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
³⁴ Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.
³⁵ They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.
³⁶ This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
³⁷ The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
³⁸ So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"
³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
⁴⁰ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."
⁴¹ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."
⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
⁴³ He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
⁴⁴ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt."
⁴⁵ Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
⁴⁶ Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh's presence and traveled throughout Egypt.
⁴⁷ During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully.
⁴⁸ Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it.
⁴⁹ Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
⁵⁰ Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
⁵¹ Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."
⁵² The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."
⁵³ The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end,
⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food.
⁵⁵ When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you."
⁵⁶ When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.
⁵⁷ And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

Genesis chapter 41 esv

¹ After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,
² and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass.
³ And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile.
⁴ And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke.
⁵ And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk.
⁶ And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind.
⁷ And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
⁸ So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
⁹ Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "I remember my offenses today.
¹⁰ When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard,
¹¹ we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation.
¹² A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream.
¹³ And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged."
¹⁴ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.
¹⁵ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
¹⁶ Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
¹⁷ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.
¹⁸ Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass.
¹⁹ Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt.
²⁰ And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows,
²¹ but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke.
²² I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good.
²³ Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them,
²⁴ and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."
²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one.
²⁷ The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine.
²⁸ It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
²⁹ There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt,
³⁰ but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land,
³¹ and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe.
³² And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.
³³ Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
³⁴ Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years.
³⁵ And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.
³⁶ That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."
³⁷ This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.
³⁸ And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"
³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.
⁴⁰ You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."
⁴¹ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
⁴³ And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁴ Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
⁴⁵ And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
⁴⁶ Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.
⁴⁷ During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly,
⁴⁸ and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it.
⁴⁹ And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.
⁵⁰ Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him.
⁵¹ Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house."
⁵² The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
⁵³ The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end,
⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
⁵⁵ When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."
⁵⁶ So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
⁵⁷ Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

Genesis chapter 41 nlt

¹ Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.
² In his dream he saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass.
³ Then he saw seven more cows come up behind them from the Nile, but these were scrawny and thin. These cows stood beside the fat cows on the riverbank.
⁴ Then the scrawny, thin cows ate the seven healthy, fat cows! At this point in the dream, Pharaoh woke up.
⁵ But he fell asleep again and had a second dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain, plump and beautiful, growing on a single stalk.
⁶ Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were shriveled and withered by the east wind.
⁷ And these thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, well-formed heads! Then Pharaoh woke up again and realized it was a dream.
⁸ The next morning Pharaoh was very disturbed by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Pharaoh told them his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant.
⁹ Finally, the king's chief cup-bearer spoke up. "Today I have been reminded of my failure," he told Pharaoh.
¹⁰ "Some time ago, you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the palace of the captain of the guard.
¹¹ One night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning.
¹² There was a young Hebrew man with us in the prison who was a slave of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he told us what each of our dreams meant.
¹³ And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole."
¹⁴ Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.
¹⁵ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it."
¹⁶ "It is beyond my power to do this," Joseph replied. "But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease."
¹⁷ So Pharaoh told Joseph his dream. "In my dream," he said, "I was standing on the bank of the Nile River,
¹⁸ and I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass.
¹⁹ But then I saw seven sick-looking cows, scrawny and thin, come up after them. I've never seen such sorry-looking animals in all the land of Egypt.
²⁰ These thin, scrawny cows ate the seven fat cows.
²¹ But afterward you wouldn't have known it, for they were still as thin and scrawny as before! Then I woke up.
²² "In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and beautiful, growing on a single stalk.
²³ Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were blighted, shriveled, and withered by the east wind.
²⁴ And the shriveled heads swallowed the seven healthy heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but no one could tell me what they mean."
²⁵ Joseph responded, "Both of Pharaoh's dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.
²⁶ The seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity.
²⁷ The seven thin, scrawny cows that came up later and the seven thin heads of grain, withered by the east wind, represent seven years of famine.
²⁸ "This will happen just as I have described it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.
²⁹ The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt.
³⁰ But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land.
³¹ This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased.
³² As for having two similar dreams, it means that these events have been decreed by God, and he will soon make them happen.
³³ "Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt.
³⁴ Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years.
³⁵ Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh's storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities.
³⁶ That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land."
³⁷ Joseph's suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials.
³⁸ So Pharaoh asked his officials, "Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?"
³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.
⁴⁰ You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours."
⁴¹ Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt."
⁴² Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck.
⁴³ Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, "Kneel down!" So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt.
⁴⁴ And Pharaoh said to him, "I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval."
⁴⁵ Then Pharaoh gave Joseph a new Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah. He also gave him a wife, whose name was Asenath. She was the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. So Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt.
⁴⁶ He was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. And when Joseph left Pharaoh's presence, he inspected the entire land of Egypt.
⁴⁷ As predicted, for seven years the land produced bumper crops.
⁴⁸ During those years, Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and stored the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities.
⁴⁹ He piled up huge amounts of grain like sand on the seashore. Finally, he stopped keeping records because there was too much to measure.
⁵⁰ During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.
⁵¹ Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father's family."
⁵² Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief."
⁵³ At last the seven years of bumper crops throughout the land of Egypt came to an end.
⁵⁴ Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. The famine also struck all the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food.
⁵⁵ Eventually, however, the famine spread throughout the land of Egypt as well. And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, "Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you."
⁵⁶ So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.
⁵⁷ And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.