Genesis 41

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 41 of 50

1 And it happened at the end of two years of days, Pharaoh was dreaming. And, lo, he was standing by the River!

2 And, behold! Seven cows were going up from the River, beautiful of appearance and fat of flesh; and they were feeding in the reeds.

3 And, behold, seven other cows were going up after them from the River, evil of appearance and lean of flesh! And they were standing beside the cows on the lip of the River.

Read full chapter in the Bible Reader

Chapter Summary

1 Pharaoh's two dreams. 25 Joseph interprets them. 33 He gives Pharaoh advice. 38 Joseph is made ruler next to Pharaoh. 50 He begets Manasseh and Ephraim. 54 The famine begins.

Key Hebrew Words

חֲלוֹם dream H2472 · TWOT 663a
פָּתַר interpret H6622 · TWOT 1860
רָעָב famine H7458 · TWOT 2183a
שָׂבָע plenty H7647 · TWOT 2231c
רוּחַ Spirit H7307 · TWOT 2131a
חָכָם wise H2450 · TWOT 647b

People & Context

Pharaoh

King of Egypt whose two dreams Joseph interprets; he sets Joseph over all the land of Egypt.

Joseph

Hebrew prisoner who interprets Pharaoh's dreams, is exalted to second ruler, and stores grain for the famine.

Chief Cupbearer

Pharaoh's butler who at last remembers Joseph and recommends him to interpret the king's dreams.

Asenath

Daughter of Potipherah given to Joseph as wife; bears Manasseh and Ephraim.

Potipherah

Priest of On whose daughter Asenath Pharaoh gives to Joseph in marriage.

Timeline

Pharaoh's Dreams

Two full years later, Pharaoh has two dreams: seven beautiful, fat cows emerging from the Nile and eating in the reeds, followed by seven ugly, lean cows eating the fat ones. Then, seven full, good ears of grain on one stalk, followed by seven thin, blasted ears swallowing the good ones.

Genesis 41:1-7
Pharaoh's Spirit Troubled, Magicians Fail

Pharaoh is troubled and calls all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, but none can interpret his dreams.

Genesis 41:8
Cupbearer Remembers Joseph

The chief cupbearer remembers Joseph in prison and tells Pharaoh about the Hebrew youth who correctly interpreted his and the baker's dreams.

Genesis 41:9-13

Read Genesis 41 in the KJ3 Reader

Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

Open in Bible Reader
Genesis 40GenesisGenesis 42