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Book of Genesis - Chapter 41 - Verse 20

41:20
And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:

Meaning

This verse, found in the book of Genesis, is part of the story of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dream. In this dream, Pharaoh sees seven fat, well-fed cows being devoured by seven lean, sickly cows. Joseph interprets this as a sign from God that there will be seven years of abundance in Egypt, followed by seven years of famine. The fat cows represent the years of plenty, while the lean cows represent the years of scarcity. This verse serves as a warning to Pharaoh to prepare for the impending famine by storing up food during the years of abundance. It also highlights the importance of interpreting dreams in the biblical narrative, as a means of communicating God's will and divine plan for humanity. Ultimately, this verse demonstrates the significance of being vigilant and planning ahead for times of hardship, as well as trusting in God's guidance and providence.

Theological Overview

This verse from the book of Genesis describes a dream that Pharaoh had, where he saw seven lean and ill-favored cows coming out of the Nile River and eating up seven fat cows that were grazing nearby. From a theological interpretation perspective, this dream was a foreshadowing of the seven years of abundance and the seven years of famine that Egypt would face, as interpreted by Joseph. The lean cows representing the famine that would devour the abundant years. The word "lean" in Hebrew translates to "meager" or "thin," emphasizing the scarcity that would come upon Egypt. The word "ill-favored" in Hebrew refers to being unpleasant or unsightly, indicating the harsh conditions that would accompany the famine. Understanding the deep theological meaning behind this verse allows readers to see the divine intervention and foresight that Joseph possessed, ultimately leading to the preservation of Egypt during the difficult times ahead.

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