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

GENESIS 41:6KJV
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Genesis 41:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:6 mean?

Genesis 41:6 describes a second group of seven ears of grain that were thin and damaged by a hot east wind, growing up after the first set. This verse is part of Pharaoh’s dream, showing a troubling contrast between healthy and ruined crops.

In the story, Pharaoh is telling Joseph about his dream, where he first saw seven healthy ears of grain, then seven thin, wind-blasted ones. The setting is ancient Egypt, and dreams were often seen as messages with deeper meanings. The verse sets up a dramatic image of scarcity following abundance, which becomes important in the interpretation that follows.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:6

  • "thin" (דַּקּוֹת, daqqot): This word means thin or scrawny, emphasizing how weak and unhealthy these ears of grain looked compared to the earlier ones.
  • "blasted" (שְׁדוּפוֹת, shedufot): This word means scorched or shriveled, often by harsh conditions, especially wind. It highlights the damage done to the grain, making the contrast with the healthy ears even starker.
  • "wind" (קָדִים, qadim): This refers specifically to the east wind, which in that region was known for being hot and destructive, often drying out crops quickly. Mentioning the east wind helps readers understand why the ears were so damaged.

Why Genesis 41:6 matters

  • This verse helps set up the dramatic contrast between plenty and famine that Joseph will later explain, making the dream’s message clearer.
  • Noticing the specific mention of the east wind gives insight into the natural threats to crops in Egypt, grounding the dream in real-life experience.
  • The vivid imagery of ruined grain prepares the reader for the coming interpretation about years of hardship, making the story more memorable and meaningful.

Where else these words appear

“blasted” Hebrew H7710 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 41:23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, 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.