Genesis 41 24

Genesis 41:24 kjv

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.

Genesis 41:24 nkjv

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."

Genesis 41:24 niv

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."

Genesis 41:24 esv

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."

Genesis 41:24 nlt

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."

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 24 meaning

Genesis 41:24 records Pharaoh's declaration of the total failure of his wise men and magicians to interpret his second perplexing dream, the dream of the thin, scorched ears of grain devouring the healthy ones. This verse underscores the limit of human wisdom and pagan practices in comprehending divine revelation, setting the stage for God's providential intervention through Joseph.

Genesis 41 24 Context

Genesis chapter 41 opens with Pharaoh's unsettling dreams: seven fat cows devoured by seven thin ones, and seven healthy ears of grain swallowed by seven scorched ones. Troubled, he summons all the magicians (ḫarṭummim) and wise men (ḥākāmim) of Egypt to interpret them. Pharaoh's inability to understand the dreams causes him great distress, and his professional interpreters fail completely. This particular verse (v. 24) focuses on the second dream and reiterates their impotence, highlighting their lack of divine insight. The Egyptian wise men were typically scribes, sorcerers, and those who studied omens, relied on their own complex systems, or consulted local deities. Pharaoh's appeal to them demonstrates his reliance on the traditional sources of wisdom and power in his realm. The utter failure of these men implicitly serves as a polemic, subtly showcasing the futility of polytheistic religious systems and human-derived wisdom when confronted with the true God's revelations. Yahweh's exclusive ability to reveal hidden truths (including the future) stands in stark contrast to the powerlessness of Egyptian magic and gods.

Genesis 41 24 Word analysis

• Then I told (וָאֲמַ֣ר, wa'omer):
  • Original Meaning: A simple Hebrew conjunction "and" (וַ - wa) combined with "I said/told" (אָמַר - 'amar).
  • Significance: It signifies the direct action of Pharaoh recounting his second dream to them, a personal attempt to get clarity after their initial failure with the first dream, emphasizing his desperate search for understanding.
• this (זֹ֛את, zo’t):
  • Original Meaning: "This," referring specifically to the second dream he had just described (the seven thin ears of grain devouring the seven fat ones).
  • Significance: Distinguishes this dream, which further compounded Pharaoh's anxiety and the interpreters' inability.
• to the magicians (לַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֗ים, laḥarṭummim):
  • Original Meaning: From the Hebrew חַרְטֹם (ḥarṭom), a loanword from Egyptian. Refers to a class of Egyptian wise men, scribes, diviners, and interpreters of omens, often associated with the occult or magical arts. They were prominent figures in Pharaoh's court.
  • Significance: These were the leading experts in Egyptian divination and interpretation. Their failure underlines that human wisdom and spiritual insight derived from false gods are incapable of discerning divine truth. This sets the stage for God to reveal Himself through Joseph.
• but no one (וְאֵין֙, we'ein):
  • Original Meaning: "And there was not" or "but there was no." The Hebrew particle אֵין ('ein) denotes non-existence or lack.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the complete and utter failure. Not even one of the supposed experts could offer an explanation, underscoring their collective inadequacy.
• could explain it to me (פֹּתֵ֥ר לִֽי, poter li):
  • Original Meaning: "Interpreter to me." פָּתַר (patar) is the specific Hebrew verb for "to interpret dreams." "לִי" (li) means "to/for me."
  • Significance: The use of patar specifies the very skill Pharaoh sought—dream interpretation—which the ḫarṭummim ostensibly possessed. Their inability to perform this very specific task confirms their professional and spiritual bankruptcy regarding divine matters. It showcases that human systems of knowledge or pagan deities cannot unlock mysteries that God alone ordains and reveals.

• "Then I told this to the magicians, but no one": This phrase establishes the immediate past event (Pharaoh's communication) and the absolute, unanimous failure of his entire expert cohort. It conveys Pharaoh's growing desperation and the mounting pressure on the court.
• "no one could explain it to me": This concise declaration forms the dramatic climax of Pharaoh's human-centric efforts. It signals an impasse where human wisdom has utterly failed, paving the way for a divine solution. The specific word choice for "explain" highlights the exact lack of insight.

Genesis 41 24 Bonus section

The repetitive failure of Pharaoh's magicians (first dream, then second) is a narrative device that intentionally builds tension and magnifies the divine wisdom about to be revealed through Joseph. This consistent failure anticipates later encounters where Egyptian magicians will be shown powerless before God's mighty acts through Moses and Aaron (Exod 7:10-12, 22; 8:7, 18-19; 9:11). The very term "magicians" (חַרְטֹם - ḥarṭom) is found primarily in Exodus and Daniel, always in contexts where human/pagan wisdom is juxtaposed with divine power, further establishing the supremacy of God. Pharaoh's exasperation implies a deep concern for his land, setting the stage for Joseph not just as a dream interpreter, but as a savior figure.

Genesis 41 24 Commentary

Genesis 41:24 encapsulates the spiritual vacuum of Egyptian courtly wisdom. Pharaoh, as the ultimate ruler, has exhausted his nation's best minds and established occult practices. Their unanimous failure is not merely a professional shortcoming but a profound theological statement. It signifies the limitations of human intellect and pagan religion to grasp the true and future-revealing counsel of God. This divine setup humbles the greatest empire of the time, revealing that true wisdom and foreknowledge reside solely with Yahweh. It highlights a critical biblical principle: God reserves for Himself the revelation of His plans, often withholding it from those who pride themselves on their own wisdom or seek it through ungodly means, thus creating a need for His chosen instruments like Joseph. The inability of the magicians here prepares the way for Joseph to declare that his interpretations come not from himself but from God (Gen 41:16), setting a crucial precedent for understanding true prophetic revelation.