Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

Pharaoh experienced two dreams while standing by the river. In the first, seven well-favored and fat-fleshed kine emerged from the river and fed in a meadow, only to be eaten by seven ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine that came up after them (Genesis 41:2-4). In the second dream, seven rank and good ears of corn came up on one stalk, which were then devoured by seven thin ears blasted with the east wind. When the magicians and wise men of Egypt could not interpret these dreams, the chief butler remembered Joseph, who was then brought hastily out of the dungeon to appear before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14).

Joseph informed Pharaoh that the dreams were one and that God had shown Pharaoh what he was about to do. He explained that the seven good kine and seven good ears represented seven years of great plenty throughout the land of Egypt. The seven thin kine and seven empty ears represented seven years of famine that would follow and consume the land, such that the plenty would be forgotten (Genesis 41:30). Joseph stated that the dream was doubled because the thing was established by God and would shortly come to pass. The text does not say how long Joseph had been in the dungeon specifically for this purpose, only that it was at the end of two full years after the butler's restoration.

Joseph advised Pharaoh to look out a man discreet and wise to set over the land of Egypt. He suggested appointing officers to take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years to lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:34-35). Pharaoh found the proposal good and determined that there was none so discreet and wise as Joseph, since God had showed him all this. Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand, arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck (Genesis 41:42).