Genesis 41 30

Genesis 41:30 kjv

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;

Genesis 41:30 nkjv

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.

Genesis 41:30 niv

but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.

Genesis 41:30 esv

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,

Genesis 41:30 nlt

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.

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 30 meaning

Genesis 41:30 signifies Joseph's divinely inspired pronouncement of a drastic shift in Egypt's destiny: seven years of unparalleled abundance will be immediately followed by seven years of severe famine. This coming hunger will be so devastating that it will erase the very memory of the preceding prosperity, utterly consuming and desolating the land itself. It underscores a divinely ordained reversal, revealing God's absolute sovereignty over nations and their welfare.

Genesis 41 30 Context

Genesis 41:30 is part of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's two prophetic dreams concerning Egypt's future. After the royal magicians and wise men fail to interpret the dreams of the seven fat cows and seven thin cows, and seven full heads of grain and seven blighted heads of grain, the chief cupbearer remembers Joseph in prison. Joseph, attributing his ability to God alone (v. 16), begins to unfold the meaning. Verse 30 directly states the certainty and devastating nature of the second phase—the famine—which will completely eclipse the memory of the preceding abundant years, emphasizing the severity of the coming crisis. The broader historical context is Egypt's reliance on the Nile River for its agricultural prosperity; any sustained disruption to the Nile's flooding cycle would bring catastrophic famine, a real and terrifying prospect for the ancient world. This passage thus highlights God's sovereign control over even natural phenomena, showcasing His power far above the deities of Egypt.

Genesis 41 30 Word analysis

• And there shall arise (וְקָמוּ – veqamu): Literally "and they shall stand up" or "come into being." This signifies the definite and appointed commencement of the famine. It implies a decreed certainty, a divinely willed event that will actively manifest.
• after them: This temporal marker precisely places the famine's arrival directly subsequent to the previously detailed seven years of plenty. It establishes a stark and immediate transition between abundance and destitution.
• seven years (שְׁנֵי שָׁבַע – sh'ney shava'): The number seven frequently denotes completion or perfection in the Bible. Here, it indicates a full, exhaustive, and utterly unmitigated period of scarcity and suffering, not a fleeting difficulty.
• of famine (רָעָב – ra'av): Refers to a widespread and extreme scarcity of food, resulting in widespread hunger and desolation. In biblical contexts, famine is often depicted as a form of divine judgment or a severe trial.
• and all the plenty (וְכָל-הַשָּׂבָע – v'kol ha-sova'): Sova' (שובע) denotes abundance, satiety, or being satisfied to the full. "All the plenty" indicates the totality of the preceding prosperity, which will be affected by what is to come.
• shall be forgotten (וְנִשְׁכַּח – v'nishkach): A powerful verb meaning "to be forgotten," implying an eradication from memory. This suggests that the severity of the coming famine will be so overwhelming and traumatizing that the period of prosperity will feel as though it never happened, offering no comfort or sense of past relief. It emphasizes psychological distress beyond mere physical deprivation.
• in the land of Egypt (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם – b'eretz Mitzrayim): Specifies the geographical scope of this impending disaster, affirming that this catastrophic event will directly impact the mighty nation of Egypt. This local specification ultimately has global implications, as surrounding nations will also be affected and come to Egypt for sustenance.
• and the famine (וְהָרָעָב – v'hara'av): The repetition of "famine" reinforces its pervasive power and its role as the active agent of destruction, emphasizing its absolute and relentless nature.
• shall consume the land (וְכִלָּה אֶת-הָאָרֶץ – v'khilatah et ha'aretz): Kilāh (כִּלָּה) is a strong verb meaning "to bring to an end," "to complete," or "to destroy/annihilate." It paints a picture of utter devastation, suggesting the famine will not merely cause scarcity but will exhaust the very productivity and viability of the land itself, reducing it to desolation.

Words-group analysis

• "And there shall arise after them seven years of famine": This phrase underlines the definitive, inevitable, and immediate onset of the crisis after a period of flourishing. It implies a divinely appointed timing and transition, making the future unavoidable and highlighting the contrast.
• "and all the plenty shall be forgotten": This goes beyond a simple cessation of abundance, pointing to the profound psychological impact of the famine. The hardship will be so extreme that the memory of former prosperity will be overshadowed and effaced, denying people even the solace of recalling better times.
• "and the famine shall consume the land": This emphasizes the totalizing nature of the disaster. The famine is not merely an inconvenience but an active, destructive force that will ravage the very essence and fertility of Egypt's agricultural base, leading to widespread desolation.

Genesis 41 30 Bonus section

• This detailed prediction served as actionable intelligence for Pharaoh, demonstrating the practical value of divine wisdom for effective governance and stewardship, leading to Joseph's elevation.
• The contrast between abundant plenty and severe famine, explicitly foretold, allowed Egypt to prepare unprecedentedly for the crisis, highlighting God's grace in warning ahead of impending disaster rather than simply executing judgment.
• The famine depicted here had far-reaching consequences beyond Egypt, forcing other nations, including Joseph's own family, to seek provisions there, thereby orchestrating the reunification of Jacob's household and setting the stage for Israel's growth in Egypt.
• The fulfillment of this prophecy (Gen 41:53-54) validated Joseph's interpretation as authentically divine, solidifying his position as a wise leader guided by God.
• This narrative stands as a powerful testament to God's ultimate control over all circumstances—both blessing and hardship—for His larger, often redemptive, purposes.

Genesis 41 30 Commentary

Genesis 41:30 serves as the heart of Joseph's divine revelation to Pharaoh, outlining the second, catastrophic phase of God's decreed plan for Egypt. This verse paints a vivid picture of extreme and prolonged scarcity immediately following unparalleled abundance. The prophetic vision reveals a famine so comprehensive and severe that it will cause a collective amnesia of the past seven years of prosperity, illustrating the sheer depth of the physical and psychological devastation it will inflict. The phrase "shall consume the land" powerfully conveys the famine's pervasive and destructive agency, not merely impacting people but utterly ravaging the agricultural foundations of Egypt itself. This prophecy highlights God's sovereignty over natural cycles and His purposeful direction of history, using even a catastrophic event like a global famine to advance His redemptive plan, ultimately preparing a path for the preservation of Joseph's family and the nation of Israel. It is a profound demonstration of God's ability to foresee the future and use His servants to warn and prepare.