Genesis 41:5 kjv

And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

Genesis 41:5 nkjv

He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good.

Genesis 41:5 niv

He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk.

Genesis 41:5 esv

And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk.

Genesis 41:5 nlt

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.

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 5 Meaning

Pharaoh dreamed a second time, seeing seven ears of grain emerge from a single stalk. These grain heads were described as healthy, robust, and of good quality, signifying a period of great abundance and productivity in the land. This dream, like the first, was a direct divine communication foretelling future events related to Egypt's sustenance.

Genesis 41 5 Context

Genesis chapter 41 begins with Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, experiencing two troubling dreams. Chapter 40 concluded with Joseph still imprisoned, despite his accurate interpretation of the cupbearer's dream, as the cupbearer forgot him for two years. Pharaoh's first dream involved seven healthy cows followed by seven thin, ugly cows. Genesis 41:5 presents the second dream, a parallel vision of seven plump, good ears of grain. The repetition of the number seven and the contrasting healthy/unhealthy imagery across two different, yet related, agricultural themes (cattle and grain, both vital to Egypt's economy and survival) signifies the gravity and certainty of the message. Pharaoh's subsequent distress and the inability of his wise men and magicians to interpret these dreams set the stage for Joseph's divinely appointed release and elevation, highlighting God's sovereignty over all human affairs, including the natural world and the rulers of nations. This also implicitly demonstrates God's unique power above any supposed wisdom of Egypt's wise men or deities.

Genesis 41 5 Word analysis

• And he slept (וַיִּישַׁן - wayyishan): The simple past tense verb "slept" emphasizes a return to the natural state where God often communicates through dreams. It highlights the divine initiation of the second vision during Pharaoh's rest.
• and dreamed (וַיַּחֲלֹם - wayyaḥălōm): From the root ḥālam (dream). This repetition signifies continuation and direct connection to the first dream, affirming both are part of one unified divine message. God chose to communicate through a familiar medium to Pharaoh.
• a second time (שֵׁנִית - shēnit): This adverb specifically indicates recurrence. Joseph later interprets this repetition (Gen 41:32) as God's certainty and swiftness in bringing the events to pass, emphasizing divine purpose and unwavering plan.
• And behold, (וְהִנֵּה - wəhinnēh): This interjection often introduces something new or surprising, drawing attention to a significant visual within the dream. It underscores the vividness and impactful nature of the divine revelation.
• seven (שֶׁבַע - sheva‘): A number of completeness or fullness in biblical numerology. Here, it numerically quantifies the specific period (years) of abundance.
• ears of grain (שִׁבֳּלִים - shibbolim): Plural of shibbol (ear of grain). This is a direct reference to the staple food source of ancient Egypt, signifying the agricultural focus of this dream and directly linking it to food supply.
• grew (עֹלוֹת - ʿōlōt): From the verb ʿālāh, meaning "to go up" or "ascend." It describes the natural process of growth, emerging from the ground, confirming the origin of the abundance.
• on one stalk, (בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד - bəqāneh ʾeḥād): qaneh (stalk/reed) and eḥād (one/a single). The unusual detail of seven ears on one stalk highlights an extraordinary abundance, more than natural yield, suggesting a miraculous or divinely amplified bounty.
• plump (בְּרִיאוֹת - bəri’ōt): From bārî, meaning "fat" or "healthy." This adjective vividly describes the excellent condition and richness of the grain, indicative of a prosperous harvest.
• and good. (וְטֹבֹת - wəṭôvôt): Plural of ṭôv, meaning "good" or "pleasant." It describes the quality, health, and desirability of the grain, further emphasizing the state of prosperity and abundance.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "And he slept and dreamed a second time": This phrase underlines the deliberate, repeated divine communication to Pharaoh. God ensured the message's certainty and Pharaoh's awareness of its significance, precluding any misinterpretation as a mere ordinary dream. The repetition confirms divine intent and immutability.
• "seven ears of grain grew on one stalk": This imagery points to an exceptionally prolific yield. "Seven ears" represents the seven years of abundant harvest, and "on one stalk" symbolically suggests an extraordinary, perhaps supernatural, richness flowing from a single, unified source—the land blessed by God through the Nile.
• "plump and good": This descriptive pair strongly conveys the quality and sheer abundance of the impending harvest. These words are in direct semantic contrast to the later imagery of the blighted and thin ears, setting up the impending struggle between plenty and famine.

Genesis 41 5 Bonus section

The depiction of the "plump and good" grain immediately followed by its counterpoint in subsequent verses (thin and blighted ears) illustrates God's method of providing comprehensive warnings. It wasn't just a promise of good, but also an explicit caution about the destructive aftermath. The divine decision to reveal these events to Pharaoh, a non-believing monarch, signifies God's overarching dominion beyond the Abrahamic covenant line, extending to the affairs of all nations. The precise numerical detail "seven" carries deep symbolic weight throughout Scripture, often signifying completion or divine perfection; here, it concretely represents the span of years. Furthermore, the two dreams, distinct yet unified in their message of cyclical prosperity and desolation, act as divine confirmation, serving as an undeniable witness to the impending reality that would necessitate urgent, Spirit-led human action, embodied by Joseph's wisdom.

Genesis 41 5 Commentary

Genesis 41:5 concisely yet powerfully continues the divine narrative through Pharaoh's second dream. This dream, focusing on ears of grain, directly parallels the first dream's theme of cattle, both vital aspects of ancient Egyptian life and economy. The details "seven ears," "on one stalk," and "plump and good" are divinely appointed symbols communicating specific truths about the future. God's choice to speak through agricultural and pastoral images reflects Pharaoh's world and highlights His sovereignty over natural cycles—He causes prosperity and hardship. The repetition of the dreams underscores the certainty and imminence of the coming events, revealing God's benevolent act of forewarning a nation through its king, preparing the way for Joseph's role in His plan of salvation for the fledgling Israelite nation. It emphasizes God's proactive care, not just for His covenant people, but for the wider world through providentially orchestrated circumstances.