In Genesis chapter 41, the Bible and Torah describe how the prophet Joseph miraculously interprets an Egyptian pharaoh's dreams of a famine in his nation's future. The story shows how God balances judgment against sin with loving mercy. Here's the story, with commentary ...

Dreaming of Seven Fat Cows and Seven Gaunt Cows

The passage begins in verses 1 through 4 by jumping right into one of Pharaoh's dreams: "...


Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up."

Each of the cows represents one year of Egypt's future -- seven years of abundance, and then seven years of famine. Here, the number seven symbolizes both God's truth and the completion of God's plan to judge Pharaoh's sins (enslaving and mistreating the Hebrew people) while giving the Egyptian people time to prepare for it.

Religious scholars think that the particular pharaoh that this passage refers to is likely Senusret II, who ruled Egypt from 1897 to 1878 BC.

Dreaming of Seven Healthy Heads of Grain and Seven Scorched Heads of Grain

Verses 5 through 7 describe Pharaoh's second dream about the same subject: "He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk.

After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted -- thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream."

Just like the cows, the heads of grain each represent one year of Egypt's upcoming seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. The number seven is symbolic here of God's truth and completion, as well.

Many Try Yet Fail to Interpret the Dreams, So Pharaoh Calls Joseph

The passage continues by saying that Pharaoh "sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt" (verse 8) and asked them to interpret his dreams, but none of them could do so.

Then Pharaoh's chief cupbearer remembered how Joseph, a Hebrew slave who was languishing in Pharaoh's dungeon, had successfully interpreted past dreams. After the cupbearer told Pharaoh, Pharaoh sent for Joseph.

Verse 15 records: "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.'"

Verse 16 says: “'I cannot do it,'” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “'but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.'”

Joseph refuses to take credit personally for the power to correctly interpret Pharaoh's dreams. Instead, he directs Pharaoh's attention to God as the source of the answers Pharaoh is seeking. Another biblical prophet who was known for dream interpretation ability -- Daniel -- also pointed people to God as the ultimate source of wisdom.

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

Then Pharaoh describes his dreams to Joseph and Joseph tells Pharaoh in verse 25: "... The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do."

Joseph reveals that the seven fat cows and seven healthy heads of grain point to the seven years of "great abundance" (verse 29) that God will give Egypt so the nation's people can prepare for seven years of a severe famine that "will ravage the land" (verse 30) after that.

Why did God give Pharaoh two dreams that both contain the same message? Joseph reveals in verse 32 that, "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." In dreams, the number two sometimes symbolizes agreement about an important decision.

Since God is perfectly holy, he carries out his judgment against Pharaoh's sins by sending the famine. But since God is also perfectly loving, he mercifully warns Pharaoh through the dreams about the future famine -- providing adequate time and a wise plan for the Egyptian people to prepare for it, so they can survive the crisis.

Pharaoh Puts Joseph in Charge

Pharaoh is so pleased by Joseph interpretation of his dreams that Pharaoh declares, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt" (verse 41) and "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt" (verse 44).

The Dreams' Prophecies Come True

First the seven years of abundance took place, as the dreams had predicted, and Joseph followed the plan God had revealed in the dreams' interpretation by storing huge quantities of grain for food throughout Egypt to prepare for the famine.

Then the famine occurred. Verse 55 shows Pharaoh's continued confidence in Joseph: "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.'”

Joseph opened all of the storehouses and sold grain to people from Egypt and beyond who needed food during the famine, which lasted seven years as the dreams had predicted that it would.

The story shows the importance of being prepared for any type of circumstances in life by trusting the ultimate source of provision: God.