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Genesis 41:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 41:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
Genesis 41:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
2And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, well-favored and fat-fleshed; and they fed in the reed-grass.
3And, 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.
4And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
5And he slept and dreamed a second time: and, behold, seven ears of grain came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
6And, behold, seven ears, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them.
7And the thin ears swallowed up the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
← Genesis 41:3Genesis 41:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine, etc.] So it seemed in the dream as if this was done, was very strange and surprising that animals should devour one another; and especially that tame ones, cows or heifers, should eat those of their own species, which was never known to be done: so Pharaoh awoke; through surprise at the strange sight he had in his dream.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification