Genesis 41:20 - The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle,

Generated Verse: Genesis 41:20

What does "Genesis 41:20" mean?


This verse is part of the Pharaoh's dream that Joseph interprets in the Bible. It's symbolic, and the meaning isn't literal. Here's a breakdown:

The Setting: Pharaoh has a disturbing dream he doesn't understand. He summons all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, but none can interpret it. Finally, Pharaoh's cupbearer remembers Joseph, an imprisoned Hebrew who had accurately interpreted his and the baker's dreams.

The Dream: Pharaoh dreams of seven fat, healthy cows coming up out of the Nile River. Then, seven thin and ugly cows also come up and eat the healthy ones.

The Interpretation (by Joseph): Joseph tells Pharaoh that the dream is a message from God foretelling the future of Egypt:
The seven fat cows represent seven years of great abundance and plentiful harvests in Egypt.
The seven thin and ugly cows represent seven years of severe famine that will follow the years of abundance.
The thin cows eating the fat cows means that the famine will be so severe that it will consume all the surplus from the years of plenty. People will forget there ever was abundance.

In Summary: The verse means that a period of abundance will be completely wiped out and overshadowed by a subsequent period of devastating famine. The famine will be so severe that it will consume all the reserves and memories of the good years.

Lessons learned: Joseph advises Pharaoh to prepare for the famine by storing food during the years of plenty. Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of the preparations, and Egypt survives the famine. This story teaches about:
Divine foresight: The dream reveals God's knowledge of future events.
Wisdom and preparation: Joseph's interpretation and practical advice save Egypt.
God's sovereignty: The dream demonstrates God's power to influence events.