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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 41:2 when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/41-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_41_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 41:2 - The Dreams of Pharaoh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and they fed in a meadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And behold, from the Nile seven cows came up, fine-looking and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And behold, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the reeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And lo, there came up out of the Nile seven [healthy] cows, sleek <i>and</i> handsome and fat; and they grazed in the reed grass [in a marshy pasture].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />when seven healthy-looking, well-fed cows came up from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />when seven healthy-looking, well-fed cows came up from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Suddenly, seven fat, healthy cows came up from the river and started eating grass along the bank. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well favoured and fatfleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Suddenly, seven nice-looking, well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />when seven cows, fat and sleek, came up out of the river and began to feed on the grass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />seven fine-looking, fat cows were coming up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the reeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And look, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored cows and fat-fleshed; and they fed in a meadow.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and behold, from the River coming up are seven cows, of beautiful appearance, and fat [in] flesh, and they feed among the reeds;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and lo, from the River coming up are seven kine, of fair appearance, and fat in flesh, and they feed among the reeds;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And behold, from the river came up seven heifers, fair of look and fat in flesh; and they will feed in marsh grass.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Out of which came up seven kine, very beautiful and fat: and they fed in marshy places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />from which ascended seven cows, exceedingly beautiful and stout. And they pastured in marshy places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />when up out of the Nile came seven cows, fine-looking and fat; they grazed in the reed grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and there came up out of the Nile seven sleek and fat cows, and they grazed in the reed grass.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And, behold, there came up out of the river seven beautiful and fat cows; and they fed in a meadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And behold, from the river seven oxen, excellent in their appearance and fat in their flesh, arose, and they fed in a meadow.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favoured and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/41-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10293" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm">The Dreams of Pharaoh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>After two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: še·ḇa‘ (Number-fs) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">when seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/6510.htm" title="6510: pā·rō·wṯ (N-fp) -- A heifer, cow. Feminine of par; a heifer.">cows,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3303.htm" title="3303: yə·p̄ō·wṯ (Adj-fpc) -- Fair, beautiful. From yaphah; beautiful.">sleek</a> <a href="/hebrew/4758.htm" title="4758: mar·’eh (N-ms) -- Sight, appearance, vision. From ra'ah; a view; also an appearance, whether a shape, or a vision."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1277.htm" title="1277: ū·ḇə·rî·’ōṯ (Conj-w:: Adj-fpc) -- Fat. From bara'; fatted or plump.">and well-fed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ō·lōṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">came up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/2975.htm" title="2975: hay·’ōr (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Stream (of the Nile), stream, canal. ">the river</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: wat·tir·‘e·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">and began to graze</a> <a href="/hebrew/260.htm" title="260: bā·’ā·ḥū (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Reeds, rushes. Of uncertain derivation; a bulrush or any marshy grass.">among the reeds.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-19.htm">Exodus 7:19-21</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers and canals and ponds and all the reservoirs—that they may become blood.’ There will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the vessels of wood and stone.” / Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. / The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-1.htm">Daniel 2:1-3</a></span><br />In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him. / So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, / he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-4.htm">Daniel 4:4-7</a></span><br />I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. / I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. / So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16-22</a></span><br />He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-14.htm">Job 33:14-18</a></span><br />For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. / In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a></span><br />One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Matthew 27:19</a></span><br />While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17</a></span><br />‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a></span><br />He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-13.htm">Judges 7:13-15</a></span><br />And as Gideon arrived, a man was telling his friend about a dream. “Behold, I had a dream,” he said, “and I saw a loaf of barley bread come tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent so hard that the tent overturned and collapsed.” / His friend replied: “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has delivered Midian and the whole camp into his hand.” / When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a></span><br />He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-15.htm">1 Kings 3:15</a></span><br />Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored cows and fat; and they fed in a meadow.</p><p class="hdg">there came.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-17.htm">Genesis 41:17-27</a></b></br> And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: … </p><p class="hdg">a meadow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/8-11.htm">Job 8:11</a></b></br> Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/genesis/36-7.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/33-13.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Fair</a> <a href="/genesis/27-39.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Fatfleshed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Fat-Fleshed</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Fed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Fine-Looking</a> <a href="/genesis/40-19.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/40-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Good-Looking</a> <a href="/genesis/24-32.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Grazed</a> <a href="/genesis/32-15.htm">Kine</a> <a href="/job/40-21.htm">Marsh</a> <a href="/hosea/9-13.htm">Meadow</a> <a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Nile</a> <a href="/revelation/21-16.htm">Reed</a> <a href="/job/8-11.htm">Reed-Grass</a> <a href="/hosea/13-15.htm">Reeds</a> <a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">River</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">River-Grass</a> <a href="/genesis/33-3.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-16.htm">Sleek</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Well-Favored</a> <a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Well-Favoured</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Fair</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Fatfleshed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Fat-Fleshed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Fed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Fine-Looking</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Good-Looking</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Grazed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Kine</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Marsh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Meadow</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Nile</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Reed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Reed-Grass</a> <a href="/exodus/2-3.htm">Reeds</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">River</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">River-Grass</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Sleek</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Well-Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Well-Favoured</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 41</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Pharaoh has two dreams.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Joseph interprets them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-33.htm">He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">The seven years of plenty.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">He begets children.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">53. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-53.htm">The famine begins.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/41.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/41.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river</b><br>In ancient Egypt, the Nile River was the lifeblood of the region, providing water and fertile soil for agriculture. The imagery of cows coming up from the river reflects the dependence on the Nile for sustenance and prosperity. Cows were symbols of wealth and abundance, and the number seven often signifies completeness or divine perfection in biblical literature. This scene foreshadows the seven years of plenty that Joseph later interprets. The well-fed cows represent a time of prosperity, aligning with the biblical theme of God's provision. The river can also symbolize life and sustenance, drawing a parallel to Jesus as the living water in <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>.<p><b>and began to graze among the reeds</b><br>Reeds were common along the banks of the Nile, providing a natural habitat for livestock. Grazing among the reeds suggests a peaceful and abundant environment, indicative of the prosperity Egypt would experience. This setting emphasizes the natural order and God's provision through creation. The act of grazing signifies contentment and fulfillment, which contrasts with the subsequent famine. The peaceful scene can be seen as a type of the peace and provision found in Christ, who is the Good Shepherd (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>). The imagery of grazing also connects to <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>, where God is depicted as a shepherd leading His flock to green pastures.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who has a troubling dream involving cows and the Nile River.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nile_river.htm">The Nile River</a></b><br>A significant geographical feature in Egypt, symbolizing life and fertility, as it was the primary water source for agriculture.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/seven_cows.htm">Seven Cows</a></b><br>Representing abundance and prosperity, these cows are part of Pharaoh's dream, which Joseph later interprets.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/reeds.htm">Reeds</a></b><br>Plants growing along the Nile, indicating the setting of the dream and symbolizing the natural environment of Egypt.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, he is the key figure who interprets Pharaoh's dream, leading to his rise in power.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_dreams.htm">God's Sovereignty in Dreams</a></b><br>God can use dreams to communicate His plans and purposes, as seen in Pharaoh's dream and Joseph's interpretation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_the_future.htm">Preparation for the Future</a></b><br>The seven well-fed cows symbolize a time of preparation. Believers are encouraged to be wise stewards of resources in times of abundance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>Just as God provided for Egypt through Joseph's wisdom, we can trust God to provide for our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faithful_servants.htm">The Role of Faithful Servants</a></b><br>Joseph's faithfulness and integrity positioned him to be used by God for a greater purpose. Our faithfulness in small things can lead to greater responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/interpreting_life's_events.htm">Interpreting Life's Events</a></b><br>Like Joseph, we should seek God's wisdom to understand and respond to the events in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_41.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 41</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_genesis_40_dreams_conflict_with_others.htm">Do the dream accounts and their outcomes in Genesis 40 conflict with any other dream narratives in the Bible regarding divine intervention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/dreams_visions__meaning_and_reliability.htm">What do dreams and visions mean and their reliability?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_7_thin_cows_eat_7_healthy_cows.htm">Genesis 41:1-7: How is it scientifically or naturally possible for seven emaciated cows to devour seven healthy cows?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_prophetic_dreams_divinely_sourced.htm">Do prophetic dreams originate from a divine source?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/41.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Kine.</span>--The cow was regarded by the Egyptians as the symbol of the earth, and of agriculture; and naturally both the kine and the ears of wheat rose out of the river, because as no rain falls in Egypt, its fertility entirely depends upon the overflow of the Nile. The cows sacred to Isis were seven in number, and in a copy of the <span class= "ital">Ritual of the Dead, </span>Mr. Malan (p. 192) found a picture of the seven sacred cows with the divine bull.<p><span class= "bld">In a meadow.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">in the marsh-grass. </span>The word occurs only in this chapter and in <a href="/job/8-11.htm" title="Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?">Job 8:11</a>, where it is translated <span class= "ital">flag. </span>It is the name of the rank herbage which grows luxuriantly along the banks of the Nile; or, as some think, of one special kind of marsh-grass, called by botanists <span class= "ital">cyperus esculentus.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored kine and fat-fleshed</span>. According to Plutarch and Clement of Alexandria, the heifer was regarded by the ancient Egyptians as a symbol of the earth, agriculture, and the nourishment derived therefrom. It was therefore natural that the succession of seven prosperous years should be represented by seven thriving cows. That they appeared ascending from the river is explained by the circumstance that the Nile by its annual inundations is the cause of Egypt's fertility (cf. Havernick, 'Introd.,' 21). A hymn to the Nile, composed by Euna (according to the generality of Egyptologers a contemporary of Moses), and translated from a papyrus in the British Museum by Canon Cook (who ascribes to it an earlier date than the nineteenth dynasty), describes the Nile as "overflowing the gardens created by Ra giving life to all animals....watering the land without ceasing... Lover of food, bestower of corn... Bringer of food! Great Lord of provisions! Creator of all good things!" (<span class="accented">vide</span> 'Records of the Past,' vol. 4. pp. 107, 108); <span class="cmt_word">And they fed in a meadow</span> - <span class="hebrew">בָּאָחוּ</span>, <span class="greek">ἐν τῷ Αχει</span>, (LXX.), literally, <span class="accented">in the Nile or reed grass</span>. The word XXX appears to be an Egyptian term descriptive of any herbage growing in a stream. It occurs only here and in ver. 18, and <a href="/job/8-11.htm">Job 8:11</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/41-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">when seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֣בַע</span> <span class="translit">(še·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cows,</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּר֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(pā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6510.htm">Strong's 6510: </a> </span><span class="str2">A heifer, cow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sleek</span><br /><span class="heb">יְפ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(yə·p̄ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3303.htm">Strong's 3303: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fair, beautiful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and well-fed,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְרִיאֹ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·rî·’ōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1277.htm">Strong's 1277: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fatted, plump</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came up</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹלֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·lōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the river</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיְאֹ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(hay·’ōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2975.htm">Strong's 2975: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and began to graze</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּרְעֶ֖ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tir·‘e·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among the reeds.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאָֽחוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ā·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_260.htm">Strong's 260: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bulrush, any marshy grass</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/41-2.htm">Genesis 41:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/41-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 41:2 Behold there came up out of the (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/41-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 41:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/41-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 41:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>