Genesis 41
1
After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,
2
and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass.
3
And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile.
4
And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke.
5
And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk.
6
And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and w blighted by the east wind.
7
And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
8
So in the morning x his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the y magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "I remember my offenses today.
10
When Pharaoh was z angry with his servants a and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard,
11
b we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation.
12
A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, c he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream.
13
And d as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged."
14
e Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they f quickly brought him g out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.
15
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. h I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
16
Joseph answered Pharaoh, i "It is not in me; j God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
17
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, k in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.
18
Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass.
19
Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt.
20
And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows,
21
but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke.
22
I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good.
23
Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them,
24
and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And l I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."
25
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; m God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
26
The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one.
27
The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also n seven years of famine.
28
It is as I told Pharaoh; o God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
29
There will come p seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt,
30
but after them there will arise q seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. r The famine will consume the land,
31
and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe.
32
And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the s thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.
33
Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.
34
Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years.
35
And t let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.
36
That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."
37
This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.
38
And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, u in whom is the Spirit of God?"
39
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.
40
v You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."
41
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, w I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
42
Then Pharaoh x took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and y clothed him in garments of fine linen z and put a gold chain about his neck.
43
And he made him ride in his second chariot. a And they called out before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him b over all the land of Egypt.
44
Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and c without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
45
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
46
Joseph was thirty years old when he d entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.
47
During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly,
48
and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it.
49
And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, e like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.
50
Before the year of famine came, f two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him.
51
Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house."
52
The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has g made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
53
The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end,
54
and h the seven years of famine began to come, i as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55
When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."
56
So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and j sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
57
Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe k over all the earth.
-
Cross References
Ezekiel 17:10
Behold, it is planted; will it thrive? Will it not utterly wither when the east wind strikes it - wither away on the bed where it sprouted?
Ezekiel 19:12
But the vine was plucked up in fury, cast down to the ground; the east wind dried up its fruit; they were stripped off and withered. As for its strong stem, fire consumed it.
Hosea 13:15
Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
-
Cross References
Psalms 77:4
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Daniel 2:1
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him.
Daniel 2:3
And the king said to them, "I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:24
And the thin ears swallowed up the seven good e...
Exodus 7:11
Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorc...
Exodus 7:22
But the magicians of Egypt did the same by thei...
Daniel 1:20
And in every matter of wisdom and understanding...
Daniel 2:2
Then the king commanded that the magicians, the...
Daniel 4:7
Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldea...
Matthew 2:1
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea ...
-
Cross References
Genesis 40:2 - 3
And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
-
Cross References
Genesis 39:20
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.
-
Cross References
Genesis 40:5
And one night they both dreamed - the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison - each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation.
-
Cross References
Genesis 40:12 - 19
Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.
-
Cross References
Genesis 40:21 - 22
He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.
-
Cross References
Psalms 105:20
The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free.
-
Cross References
Daniel 2:25
Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.
-
Cross References
1 Samuel 2:8
He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord 's, and on them he has set the world.
Psalms 113:7 - 8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:12
A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream.
Daniel 5:16
But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
-
Cross References
Daniel 2:30
But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.
-
Cross References
Genesis 40:8
They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.
Daniel 2:22
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:
Daniel 2:47
The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:1 - 7
After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:8
So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
Daniel 4:7
Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.
-
Cross References
Daniel 2:28 - 29
But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:
Daniel 2:45
Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.
Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.
-
Cross References
2 Kings 8:1
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, "Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:25
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:47
During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:54
And the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
Genesis 45:6
For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.
-
Cross References
Genesis 47:13
Now there was no food in all the land, for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine.
-
Cross References
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Isaiah 14:24
The Lord of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.
Isaiah 46:10 - 11
Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:48
And he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it.
-
Cross References
Numbers 27:18
So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
Daniel 4:8
At last Daniel came in before me - he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods - and I told him the dream, saying.
Daniel 4:18
This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
Daniel 5:11
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father - your father the king - made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers.
Daniel 5:14
I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
-
Cross References
Psalms 105:21
He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions.
Acts 7:10
And rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.
-
Cross References
Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
-
Cross References
Esther 3:10
So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews.
Esther 8:2
And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Esther 8:8
But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked.
Esther 8:10
And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud.
-
Cross References
Esther 8:15
Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
-
Cross References
Ezekiel 16:11
And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.
Daniel 5:7
The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel 5:29
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
-
Cross References
Esther 6:9
And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: 'Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.'
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:40
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.
Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
Genesis 45:8 - 9
So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Genesis 45:26
And they told him, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them.
-
Cross References
Psalms 105:21 - 22
He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions.
-
Cross References
1 Samuel 16:21
And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer.
1 Kings 12:6
Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, "How do you advise me to answer this people?
1 Kings 12:8
But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.
Daniel 1:19
And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king.
-
Cross References
Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies.
Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.
1 Samuel 13:5
And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.
Psalms 78:27
He rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas.
-
Cross References
Genesis 46:20
And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him.
Genesis 48:5
And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.
-
Cross References
Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall.
Hosea 13:15
Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
-
Cross References
Psalms 105:16
When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread.
Acts 7:11
Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:30
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.
-
Cross References
Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
Genesis 47:14
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, in exchange for the grain that they bought. And Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
Genesis 47:20
So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for all the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe on them. The land became Pharaoh's.
Genesis 47:24
And at the harvests you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.
-
Cross References
Genesis 41:54
And the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
Genesis 41:56
So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.