Preface: Two years pass, and Pharaoh has a pair of disturbing dreams, and no one in his realm is able to interpret them. Then the Chief Cupbearer suddenly remembers Joseph, so Joseph is fetched from prison. He puts on clean clothes and shaves and stands before Pharaoh. He interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, the accuracy of the interpretation being accepted by Pharaoh immediately. There would be 7 good years followed by 7 bad years. In order to mitigate the disaster of the second 7 years, Joseph suggests that a man of great wisdom be sought to impose a temporary tax upon the people, and to collect grain over the first 7 years, and then to distribute this grain in the 7 years of famine. Pharaoh is certain that Joseph is the right man for this responsibility. He names Joseph as the #2 man in all Egypt.

There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Genesis. This will be the most extensive examination of Genesis 41, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided.

Outline of Chapter 41:

Introduction

         vv.     1–8           Pharaoh’s Dreams

         vv.     9–13         The Chief Cupbearer Remembers the Hebrew from Prison

         vv.    14–24         Pharaoh Describes His Dreams to Joseph

         vv.    25–32         Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

         vv.    33–36         Joseph Tells Pharaoh How to Prepare for a Famine Seven Year’s Hence

         vv.    37–45         Pharaoh Promotes Joseph to Prime Minister, to Handle the Prosperity and the Famine

         vv.    46–52         Joseph’s Life in Seven Prosperous Years

         vv.    53–57         Joseph Sells Grain During the Seven Years of Famine

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         The Prequel of Genesis 41

         Introduction         The Principals of Genesis 41

         Introduction         The Places of Genesis 41

         Introduction         The Patriarchal Timeline for Genesis 41

         Introduction         Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translations for Genesis 41 (from Dr. Bob Utley)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Genesis 41

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         William Ramey’s Chiasmos of Genesis 41:1–57

         v. 

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         v.      13              The Precipice America was on in 2016

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      14              Joseph Interpreting Pharaohs Dream, 1894 by Reginald Arthur

         v. 

         v.      16              Stanford E. Murrell’s Doctrine of Dreams

         v. 

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         v.      25              Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh's Dream by Peter Cornelius

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         v.      36              Taxes in the Bible

         v.      36              The Bible on Fiscal Responsibility (Genesis 41:28–36)

         v.      36              The Bible on Fiscal Responsibility (the doctrine)

         v.      36              God, the Bible, and Dreams Today (What about new revelation in the Church Age?)

         v. 

         v.      37              Joseph Interprets the Dream of Pharaoh (19^th Century painting by Jean-Adrien Guignet)

         v. 

         v.      40              Approaches to Interpreting Nâshaq in Genesis 41:40

         v. 

         v.      41              A More Careful Examination of Genesis 41:39–41

         v.      41              Reviewing Genesis 41:39–41

         v. 

         v.      45              An Egyptian Marriage (a relief graphic)

         v.      45              The Obelisk of On (a photograph)

         v. 

         v.      47              Hand filled with grain (a graphic)

         v. 

         v.      50              A Summary of Joseph’s Life

         v. 

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         v. 

         v. 

         v.      54              The Famine and God’s Plan

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      56              Problems with Simply Giving the Grain Away

         v. 

         v.      57              Joseph, Overseer of the Pharaoh's Granaries (a painting) by Lawrence Alma Tadema

         v.      57              Hajime Murai’s Chiasmos of Genesis 41:46-57

         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            B. H. Carroll Summarizes Genesis 41

         Summary            Edersheim Summarizes Genesis 41

         Summary 

         Addendum          Why Genesis 41 is in the Word of God

         Addendum          What We Learn from Genesis 41

         Addendum          God Prepares Joseph

         Addendum          Josephus’ History of this Time Period

         Addendum          The Egyptian Dynasties

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Genesis 41

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Genesis 41

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Genesis 41

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An Introduction to Genesis 41

I ntroduction: Joseph was set aside by God in Gen. 40; but, in Gen. 41, he is remembered when Pharaoh has two dreams which trouble him greatly. Suddenly, the chief cupbearer recalls being in prison with a Hebrew lad who correctly interpreted his dreams (and those of his former cellmate); so, Joseph is called to the palace. Joseph cleans himself up first, listens to Pharaoh’s dreams, and the correctly interprets them, telling Pharaoh that Egypt would enjoy 7 years of prosperity followed by 7 years of famine (economic depression). The famine would be so severe as to completely wipe from memory the years of prosperity.

Joseph proposes that a man be found to set aside grain each year, and then to disperse that grain 7 years hence when the people began to require it in order to survive. Pharaoh, recognizing that God is with Joseph, promotes him, not just to administrate the grain collection, but to be second-in-command.

Joseph becomes very settled in his new position. He marries a woman of high station, he has 2 children; and he efficiently acts upon the plan which he proposed.

Because Joseph depended upon man rather than God, God left Joseph in prison for another two years. Joseph was about to take on the of the most important positions in the world given to him by God, yet God set him aside for two years. None of us are so important as to be people that God cannot do without. A majority of the Christians today have been sidelined. They have little or no value in God's plan because they do not have God's Word abiding in them. Joseph made a tiny error, it would seem to some, but it was serous enough for God to bench him for an additional two years. During this time, Joseph experienced even greater spiritual growth. He will emerge from prison a mature believer, ready to execute the plan of God. God has a plan for us and that plan includes His timing and our orientation to His plan. Joseph became temporarily benched, disoriented to the plan of God, depending upon man rather than upon God. Joseph's position would be crucial to the Jews and to the Egyptians; he had to be his own man under God. He could not assume the position that he did and yet depend upon man.

The Patriarchal Timeline for Genesis 41

This is a particularly long chapter, so the entire exegesis will be quite lengthy.

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Pharaoh's Dreams

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

The Targum of Onkelos is actually the Pentateuchal Targumim, which are The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. From http://www.becomingjewish.org/texts/targum/onkelos_genesis.html and first published in 1862.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And so he is from an end of two years—days—and pharaoh dreams and behold is standing by the Nile. And behold out from the Nile coming up seven cows, attractive of appearance and fat of flesh. And so they graze in the marsh grass. And behold, seven cows following, coming up after them out of the Nile, bad of appearance and gaunt of flesh. And so they stand beside the cows upon the shore of the Nile. And so eat the cows bad of the appearance and gaunt of the flesh the seven cows attractive of the appearance and fat of the flesh. And so awakens pharaoh.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Targum (Onkelos)                  VAYEHI MEETS.

AND it was at the end of two years that Pharoh dreamed, and, behold, he stood by the River. And, behold, there came up from the River seven oxen, goodly in appearance, and fat fleshed; and they grazed in the meadow [Or, "sedge."]. And, behold, seven other oxen came up from the river after them, evil in appearance, and leanfleshed; and they stood beside them by the bank of the the river. And the evil looking and lean fleshed oxen ate up the seven well looking and fat ones: and Pharoh awoke. And he slept, and dreamed a second (time); and, behold, seven ears rose up from one stalk, large and good, and, behold, seven ears, thin, and blighted (with the) east (wind), sprang up after them. And the seven wasted ears devoured the seven large and full ears. And Pharoh awoke, and, behold, a dream.

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   VAYEHI MEKETS.

It was at the end of two years, that the remembrance of Joseph came before the Word of the Lord. And Pharoh dreamed, and, behold, he stood by the river, and, behold, from the river came up seven oxen goodjlooking and fatjfleshed; and they grazed in the midst of the sedges. [JERUSALEM. Grazing in the midst of the sedges] And, behold, seven other oxen came up from the river, eviljlooking and lean in their flesh, and stood by the side of tile oxen on the bank of the river. And the eviljlooking and leanjfleshed oxen devoured the seven goodjlooking and fat. And Pharoh awoke from his sleep.

Revised Douay-Rheims         After two years Pharao had a dream. He thought he stood by the river, Out of which came up seven kine, very beautiful and fat: and they fed in marshy places. Other seven also came up out of the river, ill favoured, and lean-fleshed: and they fed on the very bank of the river, in green places: And they devoured them, whose bodies were very beautiful and well conditioned. So Pharao awoke.

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        It happened at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and behold, he stood by the river. Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke.

Peshitta (Syriac)                    AND it came to pass, two years later, Pharaoh dreamed; and he was standing by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven beautiful and fat cows; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean; and stood beside the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ill-favored and lean cows ate up the seven beautiful and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

Septuagint (Greek)                JOSEPH interpret's the Pharaoh's dreams. Gn.41.1-36

And it came to pass after two full years that Pharao had a dream. He thought he stood upon the bank of the river. And lo, there came up as it were out of the river seven cows, fair in appearance, and choice of flesh, and they fed on the sedge. And other seven cows came up after these out of the river, ill-favoured and lean-fleshed, and fed by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the seven ill-favoured and lean cows devoured the seven well-favoured and choice-fleshed cows; and Pharao awoke.

NETS (Greek)                        .

Brenton’s Septuagint             .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Now after two years had gone by, Pharaoh had a dream; and in his dream he was by the side of the Nile; And out of the Nile came seven cows, good-looking and fat, and their food was the river-grass. And after them seven other cows came out of the Nile, poor-looking and thin; and they were by the side of the other cows. And the seven thin cows made a meal of the seven fat cows. Then Pharaoh came out of his sleep.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version            .

God’s Word™                         .

Good News Bible (TEV)         Joseph Interprets the King's Dreams

After two years had passed, the king of Egypt dreamed that he was standing by the Nile River, when seven cows, fat and sleek, came up out of the river and began to feed on the grass. Then seven other cows came up; they were thin and bony. They came and stood by the other cows on the riverbank, and the thin cows ate up the fat cows. Then the king woke up.

The Message                         Two years passed and Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile River. Seven cows came up out of the Nile, all shimmering with health, and grazed on the marsh grass. Then seven other cows, all skin and bones, came up out of the river after them and stood by them on the bank of the Nile. The skinny cows ate the seven healthy cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      Pharaoh Has Two Dreams

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream. In his dream, he was standing by the Nile River. Seven cows came up out of the river. They looked healthy and fat. They were eating some of the tall grass growing along the river. After them, seven other cows came up out of the Nile. They looked ugly and skinny. They were standing beside the other cows on the riverbank. The ugly, skinny cows ate up the seven cows that looked healthy and fat. Then Pharaoh woke up.

New Simplified Bible              Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed he was standing by the Nile River. Suddenly, seven nice-looking well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. Seven other cows came up from the river behind them. These cows were sickly and skinny. They stood behind the first seven cows on the riverbank. The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:

Common English Bible           Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams

Two years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing near the Nile. In front of him, seven healthy-looking, fattened cows climbed up out of the Nile and grazed on the reeds. Just then, seven other cows, terrible-looking and scrawny, climbed up out of the Nile after them and stood beside them on the bank of the Nile. The terrible-looking, scrawny cows devoured the seven healthy-looking, fattened cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

Contemporary English V.       .

The Living Bible                     One night two years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River, when suddenly, seven sleek, fat cows came up out of the river and began grazing in the grass. Then seven other cows came up from the river, but they were very skinny and all their ribs stood out. They went over and stood beside the fat cows. Then the skinny cows ate the fat ones! At which point, Pharaoh woke up!

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             The King’s Dreams

Two years later the king dreamed he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. He saw seven fat and beautiful cows come up out of the river, and they stood there, eating the grass. Then seven more cows came up out of the river, but they were thin and ugly. They stood beside the seven beautiful cows on the bank of the Nile. The seven thin and ugly cows ate the seven beautiful fat cows. Then the king woke up.

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           Pharaoh’s Dreams

Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. In his dream he saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass. Then he saw seven more cows come up behind them from the Nile, but these were scrawny and thin. These cows stood beside the fat cows on the riverbank. Then the scrawny, thin cows ate the seven healthy, fat cows! At this point in the dream, Pharaoh woke up.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          It was a full two years later that Pharaoh (likely AmenemHat 1) also had a dream. He dreamed that he was standing next to a river, then {Look!} he saw seven fat and good-looking cows come up out of the water to feed at the river's edge. And after that, seven more cows, which were skinny and ugly, came up out of the river to feed along its banks. Then the seven skinny, ugly cows ate the seven fat and good-looking cows… and that's when Pharaoh woke up.

Beck’s American Translation .

International Standard V        Pharaoh’s Dream

Two years later—to the day—Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile River [The Heb. lacks River, and so throughout the chapter], when all of a sudden seven healthy, plump cows emerged from the Nile to graze in the grass that grew in the reeds that lined the bank [The Heb. lacks that lined the bank]. Right after that, seven more cows came up out of the Nile. Ugly and gaunt, they stood next to the other cows on the bank of the Nile River. But all of a sudden they ate up the seven healthy, plump cows! Then Pharaoh woke up.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       Then, two years afterwards, Pharao himself had a dream. He thought that he was standing by the Nile, and out of its channel there came up seven heifers, sleek and well fattened, which began feeding on the river bank, among the reeds. Then seven others came up, also out of the river, ill-favoured and ill-nourished; and these too stood grazing where it was green, close to the river. And it seemed as if they ate up those other seven, that were so fine and well fed. With that Pharao awoke.

Today’s NIV                          .

Translation for Translators     Joseph told the king that the meaning of his dreams was that there would be a big famine

Two complete years later, the king of Egypt had a dream. In the dream, he was standing alongside the Nile River. Suddenly seven healthy fat cows appeared. They started eating the grass that was on the riverbank. Soon seven other cows, unhealthy-looking and thin, came up behind them from the Nile River. They stood alongside the fat cows that were on the riverbank. Then the unhealthy thin cows ate the seven healthy fat cows. And then the king woke up.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Ancient Roots Translinear      .

Awful Scroll Bible                   At the end of a year of days, Pharaoh is to be dreaming: Even is he standing by the river. There is going up to the river, seven fair to the sight cows, fat fleshed, and they were to graze on the marsh plants. Seven other cows were going up after them, to the river, unpleasant to the sight, and thin fleshed, and were to stand beside the cows on the bank of the river. The unpleasant to the sight and thin fleshed cows, were to eat the seven fair to the sight and fat cows; and Pharaoh was to awake.

Conservapedia                       One night, two full years later, Pharaoh was dreaming. He was standing at the Nile river [The Nile River made Egypt what it was, ever since the dispersal of humanity from the Tower of Babel. Its regular inundations enriched the soil and made Egypt's farmland highly productive]. He saw coming out of the Nile seven young and lovely and plump milk cows. They were grazing in the marsh grass. Then, seven other cows came out of the Nile after them. They looked sickly and lean. They stood beside the other cows at the river's edge. And the sickly and lean cows ate up the seven good-looking and plump cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                Some time after it occurred that Pharoh dreamed, and seemed standing by the river, and saw seven cows come up from the river, beautiful to see, and full fleshed, and they fed upon the rushes. Then he saw seven other cows come up after them from the river, poor to look upon and lean in flesh ; and they approached the cows on the bank of the river, and the cows that were poor to look upon and lean in flesh, ate up the seven beautiful looking and fat cows. — Then Pharoh awoke.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           And it fortuned at two years end, that Pharao dreamed, and thought that he stood by a rivers side, and that there came out of the river seven goodly kine (cows) and fat fleshed, and fed in a meadow, and him thought that seven other kine came up after them out of the river evil favored and lean fleshed and stood by the other upon the brink of the river. And the evil favored and lean fleshed kine: ate up the seven well favored and fat kine: and he awoke therewith.

HCSB                                     .

Jubilee Bible 2000                  .

H. C. Leupold                         Joseph’s Exaltation (41:1-57)

And it happened at the expiration of two years that Pharaoh was dreaming, and, lo, he was standing by the side of the Nile; and, lo, from the Nile there were coming up seven beautiful fat cows, and they grazed among the reeds. And, lo, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, ugly and skinny, and took their place by the side of the first cows by the bank of the Nile. And the ugly looking and skinny cows ate up the seven beautiful fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

Lexham English Bible            Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

And it happened [that] after {two full years} Pharaoh dreamed, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. And behold, seven cows, {well built and fat}, were coming up from the Nile, and they grazed among the reeds. And behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, {ugly and gaunt}, and they stood beside those cows on the bank of the Nile. And the {ugly and gaunt} cows ate the seven {well built and fat} cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

NIV, ©2011                             .

NIV – UK                                .

Tree of Life Version                Parashat Miketz

Exalted by Pharaoh

Now at the end of two whole years, Pharaoh was dreaming. Behold, there he was standing by the Nile. Then behold, there were seven cows, good-looking and beefy, and they grazed in the reeds. Then behold, there were seven other cows coming up after them from the Nile, ugly and emaciated, and they stood beside the cows at the edge of the Nile. Then the ugly emaciated cows ate the seven good-looking beefy cows—and Pharaoh woke up.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  The dreams of Pharaoh

After two whole years Pha raoh dreamed that he was stand ing by the Nile when seven cows, sleek and fat, were coming up from the Nile and beginning to feed among the rushes. Behind them came seven other cows, lean and scraggy that stood beside the cows already there. These devoured the sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

The Heritage Bible                 And it was at the end of two years of days, and Pharaoh was dreaming; and lo, he was standing by the river. And lo, out of the river ascended seven beautiful cows, and fat of flesh, and they were shepherded in the marshy grass. And behold, seven other cows ascended after them out of the river, evil of form and lean of flesh, and were standing at the side of the other cows on the lip of the river. And the evil appearing and lean-fleshed cows ate the seven beautiful and fat cows. And Pharaoh awoke.

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   Pharaoh’s Dream.

[41:1–57] Joseph correctly interprets Pharaoh’s dream and becomes second in command over all Egypt.

After a lapse of two years, Pharaoh had a dream. He was standing by the Nile, when up out of the Nile came seven cows, fine-looking and fat; they grazed in the reed grass. Behind them seven other cows, poor-looking and gaunt, came up out of the Nile; and standing on the bank of the Nile beside the others, the poor-looking, gaunt cows devoured the seven fine-looking, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

New Jerusalem Bible             Two years later it happened that Pharaoh had a dream: there he was, standing by the Nile, and there, coming up from the Nile, were seven cows, sleek and fat, and they began to feed among the rushes. And then seven other cows, wretched and lean, came up from the Nile, behind them; and these went over and stood beside the other cows on the bank of the Nile. The wretched and lean cows ate the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible            .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Parashah 10: Mikketz (At the end) 41:1–44:17

At the end of two years, Pharaoh had a dream: he was standing beside the Nile River; and there came up out of the river seven cows, sleek and fat; and they began feeding in swamp grass. After them, there came up out of the river seven more cows, miserable-looking and lean; and they stood by the other cows at the edge of the river. Then the miserable-looking and lean cows ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. At this point Pharaoh woke up.

exeGeses companion Bible   PAROH DREAMS

And so be it, at the end of two years of days,

Paroh dreams: and behold, he stands by the river:

and behold, seven heifers ascend from the river

- beautiful visaged and fatfleshed;

and they graze in the bulrushes:

and behold,

seven other heifers ascend after them from the river

- evil visaged and thinfleshed

and they stand by the heifers on the edge of the river:

and the evil visaged and thinfleshed heifers

eat up the seven beautiful visaged and fat heifers

- and Paroh wakes.

Hebraic Transliteration           .

Hebrew Names Version         .

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               After two years’ time, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, when out of the Nile there came up seven cows, handsome and sturdy, and they grazed in the reed grass. But presently, seven other cows came up from the Nile close behind them, ugly and gaunt, and stood beside the cows on the bank of the Nile; and the ugly gaunt cows ate up the seven handsome sturdy cows. And Pharaoh awoke.

Judaica Press Complete T.    .

Kaplan Translation                 Joseph's Vindication

Two full years passed. Then Pharaoh had a dream. He was standing near the Nile, when suddenly seven handsome, healthy-looking cows emerged from the Nile, and grazed in the marsh grass [(Ramban). Achu in the Hebrew, from the Egyptian Akhi. See Job 8:11, Ben Sirah 40:16. This is usually identified with a type of bullrushes or papyrus (cf. Targum Yonathan; Saadia). Others translate it as marsh (Rashi; Josephus 2:5:5; Septuagint).]. Then another seven, ugly, lean cows emerged from the Nile, and stood next to the cows already on the river bank. The ugly, lean cows ate up the seven handsome, fat cows. Pharaoh then woke up. The Kaplan Translation, particularly in Exodus through Deuteronomy, takes note of historic rabbinic opinions.

Natural Israelite Bible             .

Orthodox Jewish Bible           [MIKETZ]

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed a chalom: and, hinei, he stood by haye’or (the River, i.e., the Nile).

And, hinei, there came up out of haye’or (the River, i.e., the Nile) seven cows, fine in appearance and fat in basar; and they grazed on the riverbank.

And, hinei, seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, ra’ot mareh (ugly in appearance) and dakot basar (gaunt ones in flesh, lean-fleshed); and stood by the other cows upon the bank of the Nile.

And the cows that were ra’ot hamareh and that were dakot habasar did devour the seven cows that were fine in appearance and fat. Then Pharaoh awoke.

Restored Names Version       .

The Scriptures 1998              And it came to be, at the end of two years’ time, that Pharaoh had a dream, and saw him standing by the river, and saw seven cows coming up out of the river, fine looking and fat, and they fed amongst the reeds, then saw seven other cows coming up after them out of the river, ugly and lean of flesh, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and lean of flesh cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Pharaoh’s Dream

Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile. And lo, there came up out of the Nile seven [healthy] cows, sleek and handsome and fat; and they grazed in the reed grass [in a marshy pasture]. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, ugly and gaunt and raw-boned, and stood by the fat cows on the bank of the Nile. Then the ugly and gaunt and raw-boned cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

The Expanded Bible              The King’s Dreams

Two years later ·the king [^LPharaoh] dreamed he was standing ·on the bank of [^Lby] the Nile River. He saw seven fat and ·beautiful [sleek] cows come up out of the river, and they stood there, ·eating [grazing on] the ·grass [reed beds]. Then seven more cows came up out of the river, but they were thin and ugly. They stood beside the seven ·beautiful [^Lother] cows on the bank of the Nile. The seven thin and ugly cows ate the seven ·beautiful [sleek] fat cows. Then ·the king [^LPharaoh] woke up.

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    Verses 1-8

The Two Dreams of Pharaoh

And it came to pass at the end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed; and, behold, he stood by the river, on the banks of the Nile. This was after the imprisonment of Joseph had lasted two more whole years. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored kine and fat-fleshed, cows in the best of condition, both as to appearance and flesh; and they fed in a meadow, in the luscious grass on the banks of the Nile. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. The cows in the second set were in an extremely poor condition, very lean as to flesh, but they followed hard upon the first set. And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. The lean cows devoured the fat cows, without, however, deriving any benefit therefrom, So Pharaoh awoke, the vividness of the dream bringing him to his senses with a start.

NET Bible®                             Joseph’s Rise to Power

At the end of two full years [Heb “two years, days.”] Pharaoh had a dream [Heb “was dreaming.”]. As he was standing by the Nile, seven fine-looking, fat cows were coming up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the reeds. Then seven bad-looking, thin cows were coming up after them from the Nile [Heb “And look, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, bad of appearance and thin of flesh.”], and they stood beside the other cows at the edge of the river [Heb “the Nile.” This has been replaced by “the river” in the translation for stylistic reasons.]. The bad-looking, thin cows ate the seven fine-looking, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. When it comes to making an actual material change to the text, the NET Bible® is pretty good about indicating this. Since most of these corrections will be clear in the more literal translations below and within the Hebrew exegesis itself, I will not continue to list every NET Bible® footnote. Some of their notes will be reproduced in the exegesis of the chapter.

Syndein/Thieme                     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 favored cows and 'their flesh {was} fatty' {indicates prosperity}. And they kept on feeding in a meadow. And, behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill/evil {ra'} favored and 'their flesh was lean of fat' {indicates economic disaster}. And stood by the other cows upon the brink of the river. And the ill/evil {ra'} favored and 'their flesh {was} lean of fat' cows kept on eating up the seven well favored and 'their flesh {was} fatty' cows." So Pharaoh awoke.

The Voice                               Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed that he was standing by the Nile River, and out of the Nile came seven healthy, fat cows. They all grazed in the grassy reeds at the river’s edge. Then, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile and stood by them on the bank of the river. And the ugly, thin cows ate the seven healthy, fat cows. And then Pharaoh woke up, startled. There is a note with this verse, which is more appropriately added to the end of Gen. 40 (which is what I did).

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Brenner’s Mechanical Trans....and it came to pass at the conclusion of two years of days and Paroh ^{[Great house]} was visualizing and look, he was standing upon the stream, and look, from the stream are going up seven cows, beautiful of appearance and fed fat of flesh, and they fed in the marsh grass, and look, seven other cows are going up after them from the stream, dysfunctional of appearance and emaciated of flesh, and they stood beside the cows upon the lip of the stream, and the cows, dysfunctional of appearance and emaciated of flesh, ate the seven cows, beautiful of appearance and fed fat, and Paroh ^{[Great house]} awoke,...

Concordant Literal Version    And coming is it at the end of two years to a day that Pharaoh dreams and, behold! Standing is he at the waterway. And, behold! From the waterway are coming up seven young cows, lovely in appearance and plump of flesh. And grazing are they in the marsh grass. And, behold! Seven other young cows are coming up after them from the waterway, evil in appearance and thin of flesh. And standing are they beside the young cows on the shore of the waterway. And eating are the seven young cows, evil in appearance and thin of flesh, the seven young cows, lovely in appearance and plump. And waking is Pharaoh.

A Conservative Version         .

Context Group Version          .

Darby Translation                  .

Emphasized Bible                  And it came to pass at the end of two years of days, that, Pharaoh, was dreaming, when lo! he was standing by the river (Nile); and lo! from the river, were coming up seven heifers, comely in appearance and fat in flesh,—and they fed among the rushes. And lo! seven heifers more coming up after them out of the river, uncomely in appearance and lean in flesh,—and they came and stood beside the heifers, by the lip of the river. Then did the heifers that were uncomely in appearance, and lean in flesh, eat up, the seven heifers that were comely in appearance and fat. So Pharaoh awoke.

English Standard Version      .

English Standard V. – UK       Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke.

Evidence Bible                       .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

King James 2000 Version      .

21^st Century KJV                   .

Modern English Version         Pharaoh’s Dreams

After two whole years, Pharaoh had a dream that he was standing by the Nile. Seven fine-looking and fattened cows suddenly came up out of the river, and they grazed in the meadow. Then seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the riverbank. The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine-looking and fattened cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

Modern KJV                           .

NASB                                     Pharaoh’s Dream

Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

New European Version          The Dreams of Pharaoh

It happened at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and behold, he stood by the river. Behold, there came up out of the river seven cattle, sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke.

New King James Version       Pharaoh’s Dreams

Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

Owen's Translation                .

Third Millennium Bible            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 wellfavored cows, and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, illfavored and leanfleshed, and stood by the other cows upon the brink of the river. And the illfavored and leanfleshed cows ate up the seven wellfavored and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

Updated Bible Version 2.11   And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, look, he stood by the river. And, look, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they pastured in the reed-grass. And, look, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed, and stood by the other kine on the brink of the river. And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine ate up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             And it comes to pass, at the end of two years of days that Pharaoh is dreaming, and lo, he is standing by the River, and lo, from the River coming up are seven kine, of fair appearance, and fat in flesh, and they feed among the reeds; and lo, seven other kine are coming up after them out of the River, of bad appearance, and lean in flesh, and they stand near the kine on the edge of the River, and the kine of bad appearance and lean in flesh eat up the seven kine of fair appearance, and fat—and Pharaoh awakes.

The gist of this passage:     Two years later, the Pharaoh of Egypt dreams about 7 fat, healthy cows feeding among the reeds of the Nile; but 7 sickly, emaciated cows come up and eat them up. Then Pharaoh awakens.

Translation: And so it is at the end of two years [of] days... The time spoken of here seems to indicate more than a simple passing of two years. We have the two years followed by the word days, suggesting that time passed slowly for Joseph. Every day, he expected to hear from the pharaoh, to have his sentence commuted, and so every day seemed to go by slowly.

The author (Joseph) does not write simply two years later. The author was in prison for two years, unjustly so. Therefore, he uses the phrase [two] years of days. Years is in the dual, meaning a plural of two and it is followed by days which does not modify years per se, as years is in the dual, feminine and days is in the masculine plural. However, Joseph experienced this time period in terms of days, one day at a time to think about his mistake. Although this is not really discussed in this chapter, it appears that Joseph understood his mistake and did not repeat it.

You will note that nothing is said about Joseph during this time period. This suggests that time went by slowly for Joseph, and that he accomplished very little during this time.

Genesis 41:1a And it happened at the end of two years of days,...

The expression two years of days is interesting. For Joseph, this time of two years went by slowly for him. Perhaps he is learning the hard way that, our trust should be in God, not in man. He has two years of days to contemplate this truth.

We move 2 years forward in time. God placed Joseph with the two government officials and God gave Joseph the ability to understand and interpret their dreams. However, Joseph decided that he would depend upon man, upon the chief cupbearer, to facilitate his freedom. So God leaves Joseph right where he is, because Joseph’s freedom depends upon God, not upon any government official. Joseph needs to understand that.

This is Joseph’s style of writing, to connect these chapters together, to let us know what is going on. In the original text, there are no chapters or even verse divisions. However, the language itself is used to express such divisions. Furthermore, much of the last portion of Genesis is chiastically organized, so chapter divisions can be recognized in that way as well.

Obviously, over a period of two years, many things happen in the Egyptian government; the Pharaoh has many things to say; and Joseph has 2 years of life in prison. However, none of these things are understood to be important to the narrative. The simplest way to understand the back story of this narrative is, Pharaoh correctly determined the guilt and innocence of his two prisoners, executing one and restoring the other. In this chapter, the Pharaoh will have 2 disturbing dreams, and, suddenly, the chief cupbearer will remember Joseph.

Two years later, Pharaoh has a dream.

Translation:...—and the Pharaoh [of Egypt] is dreaming,... Meanwhile, speaking of the pharaoh (he is last mentioned in Gen. 41:21), he has a dream.