And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

GENESIS 41:30KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 41:30 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:30 mean?

Genesis 41:30 says that after seven years of great abundance in Egypt, there will come seven years of famine so severe that the earlier years of plenty will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land. The verse highlights a coming reversal of fortune, warning that the hardship will be so great it will overshadow all previous prosperity.

In this verse, Joseph is speaking to Pharaoh, interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams about the future of Egypt. Joseph explains that the dreams are a message from God, predicting a cycle of seven good years followed by seven years of famine. The verse emphasizes just how overwhelming the famine will be, setting the stage for why Pharaoh and Egypt must prepare during the years of plenty.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:30

  • "arise" (קוּם, qum): This word means to stand up or come about. Here, it stresses that the famine will not just happen passively, but will actively "arise" after the years of plenty.
  • "famine" (רָעָב, ra'av): This is the standard Hebrew word for a severe shortage of food. Its repetition in the verse underscores the seriousness and totality of the coming hardship.
  • "consume" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word means to finish, complete, or consume entirely. The famine will not just cause hunger; it will "consume" the land, pointing to deep and widespread devastation.

Why Genesis 41:30 matters

  • Genesis 41:30 clarifies that the famine will be so intense that it will erase the memory of the good years, not just reduce prosperity a little.
  • The verse sets up the urgency for Pharaoh to act, which leads to Joseph’s rise to power and the preparations that save Egypt and surrounding nations.
  • Understanding the severity described here helps explain the later actions of Joseph and the Egyptians, and why people from other lands come to Egypt for food.

Where else these words appear

“plenty” Hebrew H7647 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 41:29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
  • Genesis 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
  • Genesis 41:53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.

“famine” Hebrew H7458 · used in 88 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
  • Jeremiah 32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

“forgotten” Hebrew H7911 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
  • Psalms 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
  • Proverbs 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.