And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.

GENESIS 41:31KJV
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Genesis 41:31 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:31 mean?

Genesis 41:31 means that the years of abundance in Egypt will be completely forgotten because the famine that follows will be so severe. The hardship of the famine will overshadow any memory of the previous prosperity.

In this verse, Joseph is interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, explaining that after seven years of great plenty, there will come seven years of famine. Joseph tells Pharaoh that the famine will be so harsh that people will not even remember the good years that came before. This highlights just how devastating the coming famine will be for the land of Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:31

  • "plenty" (שָׂבָע, sava‘) refers to fullness or abundance, emphasizing just how much prosperity Egypt will experience before the famine.
  • "known" (יָדַע, yada‘) means to know or to be recognized; here, it stresses that the abundance will be so thoroughly erased from memory that it will be as if it never happened.
  • "grievous" (כָּבֵד, kaved) means heavy or severe, underlining the extraordinary weight and seriousness of the famine that is coming.

Why Genesis 41:31 matters

  • Genesis 41:31 helps the reader understand the scale of the coming disaster, showing that the famine will not just be difficult, but will completely eclipse the good years.
  • The verse emphasizes Joseph’s wisdom in interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, setting up the urgency for Pharaoh to act on Joseph’s advice.
  • This verse connects to the larger story by explaining why storing up food during the years of plenty is so critical for Egypt’s survival.

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.

“grievous” Hebrew H3515 · used in 37 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.
  • Exodus 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
  • 2 Kings 6:14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

“following” Hebrew H3651 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
  • 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

“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.