And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:

GENESIS 41:23KJV
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Genesis 41:23 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:23 mean?

Genesis 41:23 describes a part of Pharaoh’s dream where seven thin, withered ears of grain, damaged by a harsh east wind, grew up after the first seven healthy ears. This detail sets up a contrast between abundance and hardship in the dream’s imagery.

In the story, Pharaoh is recounting his troubling dream to Joseph while seeking an interpretation. The verse highlights the appearance of the weak and ruined ears of grain, which follow the healthy ones, signaling a coming period of difficulty after prosperity. This detail is important because it foreshadows the famine that will follow years of plenty, which Joseph will soon explain.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:23

  • "Blasted" is from the Hebrew word קָדִים (qadim), meaning "east wind." In the region, the east wind was known for being hot and destructive, often ruining crops, so its mention here signals severe hardship.
  • "Withered" is from the Hebrew word צְנֻמוֹת (tsenumot), meaning "dried up" or "shriveled." This emphasizes just how lifeless and unproductive these ears of grain are, underscoring the severity of the coming famine.
  • "Thin" is from the Hebrew word דַּקּוֹת (daqot), meaning "thin" or "scrawny." This word paints a vivid picture of the grain’s poor quality, making the contrast with the earlier healthy ears even sharper.

Why Genesis 41:23 matters

  • This verse helps the reader understand the seriousness of the famine that will come after the years of plenty, making the warning in Pharaoh’s dream clear and vivid.
  • The specific mention of the east wind connects the dream to real-life agricultural threats in Egypt, grounding the story in the everyday experiences of the people.
  • The contrast between the healthy and withered ears sets up the main message of Joseph’s interpretation: that times of abundance can be followed by times of hardship, and wise preparation is needed.

Where else these words appear

“blasted” Hebrew H7710 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
  • 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.

“thin” Hebrew H1851 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
  • Genesis 41:24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
  • Leviticus 21:20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;

“ears” Hebrew H7641 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
  • Genesis 41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
  • Psalms 69:2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

“up” Hebrew H6779 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:5 Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
  • Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.