And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.

GENESIS 41:2KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 41:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:2 mean?

Genesis 41:2 describes Pharaoh’s dream, where seven healthy and well-nourished cows come up out of the river and begin to graze in a meadow. The verse sets the scene for a significant dream that will later be interpreted as a message about Egypt’s future.

In the story, Pharaoh is the king of Egypt, and he is dreaming about events that seem mysterious to him. The river mentioned is the Nile, which was central to Egyptian life and agriculture. The image of seven strong cows feeding peacefully suggests abundance and prosperity, which will be contrasted by what follows in the dream.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:2

  • "River" (יְאֹר, ye’or): This word refers specifically to the Nile River, highlighting its importance as the lifeblood of Egypt and making the dream especially meaningful in an Egyptian context.
  • "Well favoured" (יָפֶה, yafeh): This phrase means attractive or healthy in appearance, emphasizing that the cows are not just numerous but also in excellent condition, symbolizing plenty.
  • "Fatfleshed" (בָּרִיא, bari’ and בָּשָׂר, basar): These words together describe the cows as robust and full-bodied, reinforcing the idea of abundance and good times.
  • "Meadow" (אָחוּ, akhu): This term refers to a grassy place near water, a rare and valuable spot in Egypt, suggesting the best possible conditions for the cattle.

Why Genesis 41:2 matters

  • The verse introduces the key symbols of Pharaoh’s dream, which Joseph will later interpret as representing years of plenty for Egypt, making the details important for understanding the whole story.
  • Noting that the cows come from the Nile and feed in a lush meadow connects the dream to Egypt’s dependence on the river for survival and prosperity.
  • The description of the cows as both "well favoured" and "fatfleshed" emphasizes the completeness of the coming abundance, setting up a sharp contrast with the famine that will be revealed in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“meadow” Hebrew H260 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 41:18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
  • Job 8:11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

“fatfleshed” Hebrew H1277 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 41:4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
  • Genesis 41:20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
  • Ezekiel 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

“kine” Hebrew H6510 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Genesis 41:27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
  • 1 Samuel 6:10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:

“well” Hebrew H3303 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
  • 2 Samuel 14:27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
  • Song of Solomon 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.