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Genesis 41:21 - Dream's famine remains unchanged.

Genesis 41:21 - בראשית 41:21

Hebrew Text

וַתָּבֹאנָה אֶל־קִרְבֶּנָה וְלֹא נוֹדַע כִּי־בָאוּ אֶל־קִרְבֶּנָה וּמַרְאֵיהֶן רַע כַּאֲשֶׁר בַּתְּחִלָּה וָאִיקָץ׃

English Translation

and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; for they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

Transliteration

Vatavona el-kirbenah velo noda ki-ba'u el-kirbenah umar'ehen ra ka'asher batechilah va'ikatz.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה אֶל־קִרְבֶּ֗נָה וְלֹ֤א נוֹדַע֙ כִּי־בָ֣אוּ אֶל־קִרְבֶּ֔נָה וּמַרְאֵיהֶ֣ן רַ֔ע כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בַּתְּחִלָּ֑ה וָאִיקָֽץ׃
וַתָּבֹ֣אנָה אֶל־קִרְבֶּ֗נָה וְלֹ֤א נוֹדַע֙ כִּי־בָ֣אוּ אֶל־קִרְבֶּ֔נָה וּמַרְאֵיהֶ֣ן רַ֔ע כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בַּתְּחִלָּ֑ה וָאִיקָֽץ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 41:21) appears in Pharaoh's dream, where seven thin and sickly cows devour seven healthy cows, yet their appearance remains unchanged. The verse reflects Pharaoh's confusion upon waking, as the act of consumption did not visibly affect the emaciated cows.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וְלֹא נוֹדַע כִּי־בָאוּ אֶל־קִרְבֶּנָה" ("it could not be known that they had eaten them") means the thin cows showed no physical change after eating the healthy ones. This symbolizes that the years of famine (represented by the thin cows) would be so severe that even after consuming the produce of the plentiful years (the healthy cows), the hunger would persist—no satisfaction would be visible.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra emphasizes the unnatural nature of the dream, noting that typically, an animal that eats well should appear healthier. The fact that the cows remained emaciated ("וּמַרְאֵיהֶן רַע כַּאֲשֶׁר בַּתְּחִלָּה") signifies that the famine would be relentless, leaving no trace of the prior abundance.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:5) connects this imagery to spiritual lessons:

  • The thin cows represent the yetzer hara (evil inclination), which consumes a person's mitzvot and good deeds without showing any outward change—leaving the individual spiritually unfulfilled.
  • Alternatively, it alludes to oppressive regimes that exploit resources yet remain insatiable, never appearing satisfied despite their plunder.

Rambam's Psychological Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 3:50), Rambam interprets Pharaoh's dream as a prophetic vision conveying a divine warning. The unchanged appearance of the cows underscores the inevitability of the famine's severity, a message only Yosef, endowed with divine wisdom, could decipher.

Chassidic Thought (Sefat Emet)

The Sefat Emet highlights the paradox of consumption without transformation. He teaches that this mirrors spiritual emptiness—when one "consumes" Torah or mitzvot superficially, without internalizing their lessons, no growth is visible. True change requires deeper engagement.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 41:21 mean in Pharaoh's dream?
A: This verse describes Pharaoh's dream where the thin, sickly cows ate the healthy cows but remained thin and unhealthy. According to Rashi, this symbolizes that during the years of famine, people would consume what they stored during the years of plenty, but would still remain hungry and unsatisfied, as if they hadn't eaten at all.
Q: Why is Pharaoh's dream about the cows important?
A: This dream was important because it foretold the coming 7 years of famine in Egypt. The Midrash explains that the dream's strange imagery - where the cows remained thin after eating - showed that this would be an unusually severe famine where normal expectations wouldn't apply. This led to Yosef's interpretation and rise to power to prepare Egypt for the famine.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 41:21 today?
A: The verse teaches us about Divine providence and preparation. Just as Yosef interpreted the dream to prepare for the famine, we learn from Rambam that we must make practical preparations while recognizing that all sustenance ultimately comes from Hashem. The verse also teaches that superficial solutions (like the cows eating but remaining thin) don't solve deeper problems.