Genesis 41 KJV: The Seven Years of Plenty and the Savior of the World
Genesis 41 documents the sudden elevation of Joseph after he successfully interprets Pharaoh’s dreams concerning an upcoming global famine. It articulates the administrative wisdom granted by God to manage national resources and ensure the survival of the known world. This chapter marks the fulfillment of Joseph’s early dreams, though in a manner he never could have predicted.
v1-13: Pharaoh’s Troubling Dreams and the Cupbearer’s Memory
v14-36: Joseph Interprets the Dreams and Proposes a Plan
v37-45: Joseph’s Promotion to Vizier of Egypt
v46-57: The Harvest, the Famine, and the Storehouses Opened
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favored and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
And the seven thin and ill favored kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Witness the transformation of a Hebrew prisoner into an Egyptian savior as Joseph implements the world's first global food security plan. Begin your study with genesis 41 summary.
Pharaoh gives Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah, which likely means 'God speaks and he lives' or 'Revealer of Secrets,' acknowledging the divine source of his wisdom. The 'Word Secret' is Abrach, a title shouted before Joseph's chariot, which means 'Bow the knee,' signaling his absolute authority over the land. Discover the riches with genesis 41 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden genesis 41 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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