Genesis 41:20
Genesis 41:20 in Multiple Translations
Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.
And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
and the lean and ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
And the thin cows made a meal of the seven fat cows who came up first;
These skinny, ugly cows ate the first seven healthy-looking cows.
And the leane and euilfauoured kine did eate vp the first seuen fat kine.
'And the lean and the bad kine eat up the first seven fat kine,
The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle;
And the lean and the ill-favored cows ate up the first seven fat cows:
And they devoured and consumed the former,
The thin ugly cows ate the seven fat cows that came up first.
Then those 7 ugly, skinny cows, they ate those 7 good-looking, fat cows, those ones that came up first from the river.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 41:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 41:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה֙
הַ/פָּר֔וֹת
הָ/רַקּ֖וֹת
וְ/הָ/רָע֑וֹת
אֵ֣ת
שֶׁ֧בַע
הַ/פָּר֛וֹת
הָ/רִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת
הַ/בְּרִיאֹֽת
וַ/תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה֙
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp
הַ/פָּר֔וֹת
pârâh
H6510
heifer
Art | N-fp
הָ/רַקּ֖וֹת
raq
H7534
thin
Art | Adj
וְ/הָ/רָע֑וֹת
raʻ
H7451
bad
Conj | Art | Adj
אֵ֣ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שֶׁ֧בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
הַ/פָּר֛וֹת
pârâh
H6510
heifer
Art | N-fp
הָ/רִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת
riʼshôwn
H7223
first
Art | Adj
הַ/בְּרִיאֹֽת
bârîyʼ
H1277
fat
Art | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 41:20
וַ/תֹּאכַ֨לְנָה֙
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
הַ/פָּר֔וֹת
pârâh
H6510
"heifer"
Art | N-fp
A heifer is a young female cow, and this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe such an animal. In Exodus 29:1, a heifer is used as a sacrifice, and in Numbers 19:2, it is used for purification. It is an important animal in biblical times.
Definition: cow, heifer
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cow, heifer, kine. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 19:6; Isaiah 11:7.
הָ/רַקּ֖וֹת
raq
H7534
"thin"
Art | Adj
Thin or lean describes something or someone that is emaciated or flattened out, often used to illustrate poverty or hunger.
Definition: adj thin, lean
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: lean(-fleshed), thin. See also: Genesis 41:19; Genesis 41:20; Genesis 41:27.
וְ/הָ/רָע֑וֹת
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Conj | Art | Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
אֵ֣ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שֶׁ֧בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
הַ/פָּר֛וֹת
pârâh
H6510
"heifer"
Art | N-fp
A heifer is a young female cow, and this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe such an animal. In Exodus 29:1, a heifer is used as a sacrifice, and in Numbers 19:2, it is used for purification. It is an important animal in biblical times.
Definition: cow, heifer
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cow, heifer, kine. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 19:6; Isaiah 11:7.
הָ/רִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת
riʼshôwn
H7223
"first"
Art | Adj
This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.
Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.
הַ/בְּרִיאֹֽת
bârîyʼ
H1277
"fat"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this word means 'fat' or 'plump', describing something or someone that is well-fed and healthy. It is used to describe animals and people, like in the story of the fat calf in Luke 15:27.
Definition: 1) fat 2) (TWOT) fat, fatter, fed, firm, plenteous, rank Also means: ber.yah (בִּרְיָה "fat" H1274)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed, firm, plenteous, rank. See also: Genesis 41:2; Judges 3:17; Psalms 73:4.
Study Notes — Genesis 41:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams
18when seven cows, well-fed and sleek, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.
19After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt!
20Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.
21When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke. 22In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, growing on a single stalk.Genesis 41:20 Summary
[Genesis 41:20 tells us about a dream where thin, ugly cows ate seven well-fed cows, showing how bad things can destroy good things. This reminds us that sin and evil can be very destructive, as warned in Romans 6:23. Just like the thin, ugly cows looked the same after eating the well-fed cows, sin can be deceptive and not always visible. We need to be careful and seek God's help to overcome the bad things in our lives, trusting in His sovereignty as seen in Isaiah 46:10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the devouring of the well-fed cows by the thin, ugly cows symbolize in Genesis 41:20?
The devouring of the well-fed cows by the thin, ugly cows symbolizes how sin and evil can consume and destroy what is good and healthy, as seen in the spiritual battle described in Ephesians 6:12 and the consequences of sin in Romans 6:23.
Why did the thin, ugly cows devour the well-fed cows in Pharaoh's dream?
The thin, ugly cows devoured the well-fed cows to represent the seven years of famine that would consume the seven years of plenty in Egypt, as interpreted by Joseph in Genesis 41:25-32, fulfilling the warning in Proverbs 28:19 that hard work and diligence are required to achieve prosperity.
What can we learn from the fact that the thin, ugly cows looked the same after devouring the well-fed cows?
The fact that the thin, ugly cows looked the same after devouring the well-fed cows teaches us that sin and evil can be deceptive, appearing unchanged or unaffected even after consuming what is good, as warned in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 and illustrated in the parable of the heart in Matthew 15:18-19.
How does Genesis 41:20 relate to the theme of God's sovereignty in the Bible?
Genesis 41:20 shows how God's sovereignty is at work even in the dreams and actions of unbelievers like Pharaoh, using them to fulfill His purposes, as seen in Isaiah 46:10 and Romans 11:36, where God's will is accomplished through all things.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be allowing 'thin, ugly cows' to consume what is good and healthy, and how can I seek God's help to overcome them?
- How can I apply the lesson of the thin, ugly cows to my own spiritual journey, recognizing the deceptive nature of sin and the importance of spiritual nourishment?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with challenging circumstances or uncertain outcomes, just as Joseph did in Genesis 41?
- What does this verse teach me about the fleeting nature of earthly prosperity and the importance of seeking eternal riches in Christ, as described in Matthew 6:19-21?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 41:20
And the lean and the ill favoured kine,.... The same as previously described; [See comments on Genesis 41:4].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 41:20
And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 41:20
Genesis 41:20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: Ver. 20.