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Then I awoke.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/41-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_41_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 41:21 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. 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Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But afterward you wouldn’t have known it, for they were still as thin and scrawny as before! Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they <i>were</i> still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they <i>were</i> just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had devoured them, for they were just as ugly as before. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had devoured them, for they were just as ugly as before. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had devoured them; for they were just as ugly as before. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But they devoured them, and yet it could not be known that they had devoured them. For they were just as ugly as before. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had eaten them, because they were still as thin <i>and</i> emaciated as before. Then I awoke [but again I fell asleep and dreamed].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they had devoured them, you could not tell that they had devoured them; their appearance was as bad as it had been before. Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they had devoured them, you could not tell that they had devoured them; their appearance was as bad as it had been before. Then I woke up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But you couldn't tell it, because these skinny cows were just as skinny as they were before. At once, I woke up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Even though they had eaten them, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but no one would have known it, because they looked just as bad as before. Then I woke up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Not only that," Pharaoh continued, "after they had finished devouring the cows, nobody could tell that they had gobbled them up, because they were just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When they had eaten them, no one would have known that they had done so, for they were just as bad-looking as before. Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But when they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as miserable-looking as at the beginning. Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and when they had eaten them up, it couldn’t be known that they had eaten them, but they were still ugly, as at the beginning. So I awoke. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they come in to their midst, and it has not been known that they have come in to their midst, and their appearance [is] bad as at the commencement; and I awake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they come in unto their midst, and it hath not been known that they have come in unto their midst, and their appearance is bad as at the commencement; and I awake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they shall come into their belly, and they shall not know that they came into their belly; and evil of form as that in the beginning. And I shall awake.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And yet gave no mark of their being full: but were as lean and ill favoured as before. I awoke, and then fell asleep again, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />giving no indication of being full. But they remained in the same state of emaciation and squalor. Awakening, but being weighed down into sleep again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But when they had consumed them, no one could tell that they had done so, because they looked as bad as before. Then I woke up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had done so, for they were still as ugly as before. Then I awoke.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them: for they were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. Then I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they went into them and it was not known that they went into them and their appearance was as bad as at the first, and I was awakened.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill-favoured as at the beginning. So I awoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they went into their bellies; and it was not perceptible that they had gone into their bellies, and their appearance was ill-favoured, as also at the beginning; and after I awoke I slept,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/41-21.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=10443" 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">Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wat·tā·ḇō·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">When they had devoured</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: qir·be·nāh (N-msc:: 3fp) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">them, however,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no one could</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: nō·w·ḏa‘ (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ḇā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">they had done so;</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: qir·be·nāh (N-msc:: 3fp) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4758.htm" title="4758: ū·mar·’ê·hen (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3fp) -- Sight, appearance, vision. From ra'ah; a view; also an appearance, whether a shape, or a vision.">their appearance</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: ra‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">was as ugly</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/8462.htm" title="8462: bat·tə·ḥil·lāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A beginning. From chalal in the sense of opening; a commencement; rel. Original.">it had been before.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3364.htm" title="3364: wā·’î·qāṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To awake. A primitive root; to awake.">Then I awoke.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, growing on a single stalk.…<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/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/8-18.htm">Job 8:18</a></span><br />If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/20-8.htm">Job 20:8</a></span><br />He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/27-20.htm">Job 27:20-22</a></span><br />Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest sweeps him away in the night. / The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. / It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15-16</a></span><br />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="/psalms/73-19.htm">Psalm 73:19-20</a></span><br />How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! / Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5-6</a></span><br />You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-8.htm">Isaiah 29:8</a></span><br />as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7-8</a></span><br />The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Jeremiah 5:3</a></span><br />O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm">Jeremiah 51:58</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.”<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/4-5.htm">Daniel 4:5</a></span><br />I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-22.htm">Matthew 13:22</a></span><br />The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke.</p><p class="hdg">eaten them up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/3-3.htm">Ezekiel 3:3</a></b></br> And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat <i>it</i>; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/10-9.htm">Revelation 10:9,10</a></b></br> And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take <i>it</i>, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey… </p><p class="hdg">still.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-19.htm">Psalm 37:19</a></b></br> They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20</a></b></br> And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/genesis/41-7.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/genesis/41-7.htm">Awoke</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/genesis/13-3.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/genesis/13-3.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Detected</a> <a href="/genesis/41-7.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/genesis/40-19.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Gaunt</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Ill-Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Ill-Favoured</a> <a href="/genesis/39-11.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/genesis/40-10.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-5.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">Ugly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/3-3.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/genesis/43-32.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/exodus/10-7.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/judges/16-14.htm">Awoke</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/genesis/44-12.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-42.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/genesis/43-20.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/genesis/45-1.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/genesis/41-26.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/luke/20-23.htm">Detected</a> <a href="/genesis/41-24.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/genesis/43-2.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/genesis/41-26.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Gaunt</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Ill-Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Ill-Favoured</a> <a href="/genesis/44-8.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/genesis/41-37.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/genesis/47-30.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Ugly</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 they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so;</b><br>This phrase is part of Pharaoh's dream, which Joseph interprets. The imagery of the thin cows devouring the fat cows without changing in appearance symbolizes the coming years of famine that will consume the years of plenty. This reflects the principle that spiritual or physical famine can erase the memory of abundance, a theme seen in other biblical narratives such as the Israelites forgetting God's provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16). The inability to discern the consumption also highlights the deceptive nature of sin and spiritual decay, which can consume without immediate visible effects.<p><b>their appearance was as ugly as it had been before.</b><br>The unchanged ugliness of the cows after consuming the healthy ones underscores the severity and persistence of the famine. In a broader biblical context, this can be seen as a metaphor for the enduring nature of sin and its consequences, which are not easily remedied by superficial solutions. The ugliness can also be seen as a representation of spiritual desolation, akin to the descriptions of spiritual barrenness in passages like <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a>, where human righteousness is compared to "filthy rags."<p><b>Then I awoke.</b><br>Pharaoh's awakening signifies the transition from the dream state to reality, prompting the need for interpretation and action. This moment of awakening can be paralleled with spiritual awakening or enlightenment, where one becomes aware of divine truths or impending judgment, similar to the call to spiritual vigilance found in the New Testament (<a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Ephesians 5:14</a>). The urgency of Pharaoh's awakening reflects the need for immediate response to divine revelation, a theme echoed in the urgency of repentance and faith in the gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who had troubling dreams that none of his magicians or wise men could interpret.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>A Hebrew man, sold into slavery, who was known for his ability to interpret dreams through God's guidance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The setting of the account, a powerful ancient civilization where Joseph rose to prominence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dream.htm">The Dream</a></b><br>Pharaoh's dream involved seven ugly and gaunt cows devouring seven sleek and fat cows, yet remaining as ugly as before.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/interpretation.htm">Interpretation</a></b><br>Joseph interprets the dream as a prophecy of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_revelation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Revelation</a></b><br>God reveals His plans to those who seek Him and are faithful, as seen in Joseph's life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_preparation.htm">Wisdom in Preparation</a></b><br>Just as Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare for the coming famine, we should be wise stewards of our resources, preparing for both physical and spiritual needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>Joseph's rise to power was in God's perfect timing, reminding us to trust in His timing for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_appearances.htm">The Futility of Earthly Appearances</a></b><br>The unchanged appearance of the cows after devouring the others symbolizes how earthly gains can be fleeting and unsatisfying without God's blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Joseph remained faithful to God despite his circumstances, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our faith during trials.<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/are_prophetic_dreams_divinely_sourced.htm">Do prophetic dreams originate from a divine source?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/jacob's_prophecies_in_the_bible.htm">What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible?</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/bible's_view_on_god_vs._satan.htm">What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/41-21.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 they had devoured</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tā·ḇō·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_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them, however,</span><br /><span class="heb">קִרְבֶּ֗נָה</span> <span class="translit">(qir·be·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nearest part, the center</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no one could</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tell</span><br /><span class="heb">נוֹדַע֙</span> <span class="translit">(nō·w·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they had [done so];</span><br /><span class="heb">בָ֣אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their appearance</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַרְאֵיהֶ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mar·’ê·hen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4758.htm">Strong's 4758: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sight, appearance, vision</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was as ugly</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֔ע</span> <span class="translit">(ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it had been before.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּתְּחִלָּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(bat·tə·ḥil·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8462.htm">Strong's 8462: </a> </span><span class="str2">A commencement, rel, original</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then I awoke.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאִיקָֽץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’î·qāṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3364.htm">Strong's 3364: </a> </span><span class="str2">To awake</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">OT Law: Genesis 41:21 And when they had eaten them up (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/41-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 41:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/41-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 41:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:22" /></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>