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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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 NLT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/genesis/41.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/genesis/41-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NLT</a> > Genesis 41</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../genesis/40.htm" title="Genesis 40">◄</a> Genesis 41 <a href="../genesis/42.htm" title="Genesis 42">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Living Translation</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/nlt/esv/genesis/41.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="hdg">Pharaoh’s Dreams</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>In his dream he saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>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. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Then the scrawny, thin cows ate the seven healthy, fat cows! At this point in the dream, Pharaoh woke up.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>But he fell asleep again and had a second dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain, plump and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were shriveled and withered by the east wind. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>And these thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, well-formed heads! Then Pharaoh woke up again and realized it was a dream.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The next morning Pharaoh was very disturbed by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Pharaoh told them his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Finally, the king’s chief cup-bearer spoke up. “Today I have been reminded of my failure,” he told Pharaoh. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>“Some time ago, you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the palace of the captain of the guard. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>One night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>There was a young Hebrew man with us in the prison who was a slave of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he told us what each of our dreams meant. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>So Pharaoh told Joseph his dream. “In my dream,” he said, “I was standing on the bank of the Nile River, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>and I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>But then I saw seven sick-looking cows, scrawny and thin, come up after them. I’ve never seen such sorry-looking animals in all the land of Egypt. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>These thin, scrawny cows ate the seven fat cows. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>But afterward you wouldn’t have known it, for they were still as thin and scrawny as before! Then I woke up.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>“In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were blighted, shriveled, and withered by the east wind. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>And the shriveled heads swallowed the seven healthy heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but no one could tell me what they mean.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>The seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>The seven thin, scrawny cows that came up later and the seven thin heads of grain, withered by the east wind, represent seven years of famine.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>“This will happen just as I have described it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>As for having two similar dreams, it means that these events have been decreed by God, and he will soon make them happen.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”</p><p class="hdg">Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span>Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>Then Pharaoh gave Joseph a new Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">a</span></a> He also gave him a wife, whose name was Asenath. She was the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">b</span></a> So Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>He was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. And when Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence, he inspected the entire land of Egypt.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>As predicted, for seven years the land produced bumper crops. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>During those years, Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and stored the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>He piled up huge amounts of grain like sand on the seashore. Finally, he stopped keeping records because there was too much to measure.</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-51.htm"><b>51</b></a></span>Joseph named his older son Manasseh,<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">c</span></a> for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-52.htm"><b>52</b></a></span>Joseph named his second son Ephraim,<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">d</span></a> for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-53.htm"><b>53</b></a></span>At last the seven years of bumper crops throughout the land of Egypt came to an end. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-54.htm"><b>54</b></a></span>Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. The famine also struck all the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-55.htm"><b>55</b></a></span>Eventually, however, the famine spread throughout the land of Egypt as well. And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, “Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-56.htm"><b>56</b></a></span>So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/41-57.htm"><b>57</b></a></span>And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.</p><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn">a</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">41:45a </span><span class="it">Zaphenath-paneah</span><span class="ft"> probably means “God speaks and lives.”</span><br><span class="fn">b</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">41:45b </span><span class="ft">Greek version reads </span><span class="it">of Heliopolis;</span><span class="ft"> also in 41:50.</span><br><span class="fn">c</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">41:51 </span><span class="it">Manasseh</span><span class="ft"> sounds like a Hebrew term that means “causing to forget.”</span><br><span class="fn">d</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">41:52 </span><span class="it">Ephraim</span><span class="ft"> sounds like a Hebrew term that means “fruitful.”</span><br></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><em>Holy Bible</em>, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. 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