Genesis 41 26

Genesis 41:26 kjv

The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

Genesis 41:26 nkjv

The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one.

Genesis 41:26 niv

The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.

Genesis 41:26 esv

The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one.

Genesis 41:26 nlt

The seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity.

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 26 meaning

Genesis 41:26 conveys Joseph’s direct and immediate interpretation of Pharaoh’s twin dreams. The verse definitively states that the seven fat cows and the seven full, healthy ears of grain both represent seven years of abundance, and likewise, the seven lean cows and seven thin, blighted ears represent seven years of famine. The declaration "the dream is one" emphasizes that both dreams, though distinct in imagery, share a single, unified meaning and origin, signifying a divine, singular message about a coming period of prosperity followed by severe scarcity.

Genesis 41 26 Context

Genesis chapter 41 begins with Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams. After two full years of Joseph being forgotten in prison, Pharaoh dreams of seven fat, healthy cows devoured by seven gaunt, ugly cows, followed by a dream of seven full, ripe ears of grain consumed by seven thin, blighted ears. None of Egypt’s wise men or magicians can interpret these dreams. The chief butler then remembers Joseph's accurate interpretation of his own dream and recommends him to Pharaoh. Joseph is immediately summoned from prison. Before Pharaoh, Joseph firmly declares that the ability to interpret dreams does not come from himself but from God (Gen 41:16). He explains that Pharaoh’s dreams are in fact one unified message from God concerning future events, a period of seven years of immense plenty followed by seven years of severe famine. Verse 26, therefore, is the precise moment Joseph connects the imagery of the dreams directly to years, solidifying the interpretation that sets the stage for the rest of his life and the salvation of many. This divine revelation stands in stark contrast to the human inability of Egyptian wise men, underscoring the supremacy of the God of Israel over any polytheistic deities or magical arts.

Genesis 41 26 Word analysis

• The seven good kine:

  • The seven: Refers to the first distinct imagery in Pharaoh's first dream. Seven is often a number representing completeness or perfection in the Bible (e.g., seven days of creation, seven-day feast, seventy times seven forgiveness).
  • Good: Implies health, prosperity, and abundance. In Hebrew, this is טוֹבוֹת (tovot), indicating well-being and excellence.
  • Kine: Plural of cow. In Hebrew, פָּרוֹת (parot), referring specifically to cows, significant for sustenance and wealth in ancient agrarian societies. Symbolized the productivity of the land.

• are seven years:

  • are: This is a copula, signifying identity. The kine are the years, not merely representing them or being symbols of them, but directly embodying them as God's decreed reality. This directness indicates divine clarity.
  • seven years: Identifies the duration of the prosperous period.

• and the seven good ears:

  • and the seven: Connects this imagery as another aspect of the same message.
  • good ears: Refers to ears of grain, robust and full. In Hebrew, שִׁבֹּּלֶת (shibbolet) refers to an ear of corn or grain, especially significant for life and sustenance in an agricultural society. "Good" again signifies health and fruitfulness, mirroring the "good kine."

• are seven years:

  • Repeats the identity, confirming that both imageries point to the same period and duration. The repetition reinforces the certainty of the message and its dual presentation in Pharaoh's mind.

• the dream:

  • Refers to both dreams experienced by Pharaoh. Joseph makes it clear they are not disparate, unrelated visions.

• is one:

  • In Hebrew, אֶחָד (echad), meaning one, single, or unified. This is crucial for several reasons:
    • It emphasizes the singularity of the divine message from the one true God, as opposed to potentially conflicting messages from multiple deities, as might have been perceived in Egyptian polytheism.
    • It affirms the consistency and certainty of God's revealed will. The repetition of imagery (cows and ears of grain) in two dreams was for Pharaoh's certainty that "the matter is established by God" (Gen 41:32).
    • It indicates a singular purpose behind the diverse symbolism.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The seven good kine...are seven years; and the seven good ears...are seven years": This parallel structure emphatically equates the symbols of agricultural and animal wealth with specific periods of time. It reveals God's direct communication through common, understandable imagery related to Egypt's prosperity (livestock and crops). The pairing highlights that God's provision covers all aspects of life.
  • "The dream is one": This powerful concluding statement unifies Pharaoh's dual dreams, stressing the divine origin and singular, unwavering nature of the message. It's not a mere coincidence or separate prophetic pronouncements but one cohesive, divine declaration of a future ordained by God. This emphasizes the clear, consistent nature of God's revelation.

Genesis 41 26 Bonus section

The direct equation "are seven years" indicates a prophetic interpretation that identifies symbols with time, a pattern seen elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Daniel's visions where beasts represent kingdoms, and specific time periods are given). This precise understanding of God's revealed will distinguishes divine prophecy from human speculation or occult practices prevalent in Joseph's time. Joseph’s ability was not from his own intellect but entirely from "God who gives Pharaoh an answer of peace" (Gen 41:16). This further established the supremacy of YHWH over Egyptian deities and underscored Joseph’s role as an agent of divine revelation and salvation. The foretelling of a specific seven-year period of abundance followed by seven years of famine showcases God's intricate control over natural phenomena and human history, all for the greater good of His redemptive plan, ensuring the survival of Jacob's family who would become the nation of Israel.

Genesis 41 26 Commentary

Genesis 41:26 encapsulates the core of Joseph’s divine interpretation, transforming cryptic imagery into a clear, tangible timeline. By stating "the seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one," Joseph not only deciphers the immediate future but also establishes God as the sovereign controller of seasons, plenty, and famine. This verse is not just an interpretation but a revelation from the One True God, challenging the polytheistic and magical practices of Egypt. It sets the stage for a period of divine providence and preparation. God's purpose behind the dual dream imagery was to confirm the message's certainty (Gen 41:32) and demonstrate His absolute authority. Joseph, through divine enablement, acted as God's mouthpiece, preparing a nation, and ultimately a family, for a severe global crisis, illustrating God's meticulous foresight and protective care.Examples: This verse teaches us to seek divine wisdom in understanding circumstances (Prov 3:5-6), to be prepared and disciplined for future challenges revealed by God (Prov 6:6-8), and to recognize that God often reveals significant future events through various means for His purposes.