Bible/Genesis/41

Genesis 41:2

41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.

KJV

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Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.

And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.

And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored cows and fat; and they fed in a meadow.

41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.

What does Genesis 41:2 mean?

Genesis 41:2 is a verse in the book of Genesis, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include עָלָה (ʻâlâh), יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr), שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ). It connects to 1 cross-referenced passage elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And,
behold,
there
came
upעָלָהʻâlâh/aw-law'/H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
out
of
the
riverיְאֹרyᵉʼôr/yeh-ore'/H2975a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the Tigris, as the main river of Assyria
sevenשֶׁבַעshebaʻ/sheh'-bah/H7651seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
wellיָפֶהyâpheh/yaw-feh'/H3303beautiful (literally or figuratively)
favouredמַרְאֶהmarʼeh/mar-eh'/H4758a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision
kineפָּרָהpârâh/paw-raw'/H6510a heifer
and
fatfleshed;בָּרִיאbârîyʼ/baw-ree'/H1277fatted or plump
and
they
fedרָעָהrâʻâh/raw-aw'/H7462to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
in
a
meadow.אָחוּʼâchûw/aw'-khoo/H260a bulrush or any marshy grass (particularly that along the Nile)

Commentary on Genesis 41:2

HENRY_FULL · Genesis 41:2
en for the benefit of those few whose hearts are upright with him. In order to these, we have here, 1. Pharaoh's dreams, ver. 1-8 . 2. The recommendation of Joseph to him for an interpreter, ver. 9-13 . 3. The interpretation of the dreams, and the prediction of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Egypt, with the prudent advice given to Pharaoh thereupon, ver. 14-36 . 4. The preferment of Joseph to a place of the highest power and trust in Egypt, ver. 37-45 . 5. The accomplishment of Joseph's prediction, and his fidelity to his trust, ver. 46 , &c. Pharaoh's Portentous Dream. ( b. c. 1715.) 1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. 2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 41:17

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:

Topics

DreamsEgyptKineOx, thePrisoners

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Genesis 41:2.

Genesis 41:18

And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:

Genesis 41:3

And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.

Genesis 41:4

And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

1 Samuel 17:42

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

2 Samuel 14:27

And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

Genesis 12:11

And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

Genesis 29:17

Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Genesis 39:6

And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Frequently asked questions

What does Genesis 41:2 say?

Genesis 41:2 (King James Version) reads: "And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow."

Is Genesis 41:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Genesis 41:2 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Genesis.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses.

Reflect

As you read Genesis 41:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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