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Genesis 41:19 - Lean cows reveal future famine?

Genesis 41:19 - בראשית 41:19

Hebrew Text

וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע־פָּרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת עֹלוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן דַּלּוֹת וְרָעוֹת תֹּאַר מְאֹד וְרַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר לֹא־רָאִיתִי כָהֵנָּה בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לָרֹעַ׃

English Translation

and, behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and lean of flesh, such as I never saw in all the land of Miżrayim for badness:

Transliteration

Vehine sheva-parot acherot olot achareihen dalot vera'ot to'ar me'od verakot basar lo-ra'iti kahena bechol-eretz mitzrayim lara.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶֽׁבַע־פָּר֤וֹת אֲחֵרוֹת֙ עֹל֣וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן דַּלּ֨וֹת וְרָע֥וֹת תֹּ֛אַר מְאֹ֖ד וְרַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר לֹֽא־רָאִ֧יתִי כָהֵ֛נָּה בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לָרֹֽעַ׃
וְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶֽׁבַע־פָּר֤וֹת אֲחֵרוֹת֙ עֹל֣וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן דַּלּ֨וֹת וְרָע֥וֹת תֹּ֛אַר מְאֹ֖ד וְרַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר לֹֽא־רָאִ֧יתִי כָהֵ֛נָּה בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לָרֹֽעַ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream

The verse describes Pharaoh's dream of seven emaciated cows rising after seven healthy ones, a vision that troubled him greatly. This imagery is analyzed extensively in Jewish tradition as a prophetic sign of impending famine.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 41:3) notes that the term "דלות" (poor) refers to physical weakness, while "רעות" (ill-favored) indicates their ugly appearance. The phrase "רקות בשר" (lean of flesh) shows they were so thin their flesh appeared transparent ("רקות" from the root meaning "empty" or "thin"). Rashi emphasizes that these cows were unprecedented in their wretched state, signaling an extraordinary famine.

Symbolism in Midrashic Sources

  • The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:4) explains the seven lean cows represent seven years of famine so severe they would "consume" the seven years of plenty that preceded them.
  • Rabbi Ovadia Sforno suggests the cows' ascent from the Nile symbolizes that the famine would originate from Egypt's primary water source failing.
  • The Kli Yakar notes the cows' unusual appearance hints that this would be a supernatural famine beyond natural expectations.

Halachic Insights from Rambam

Rambam (Hilchos Taaniyos 1:1-3) derives from this episode that dreams can contain prophetic warnings about future calamities, and leaders must heed such signs to prepare their people. Joseph's interpretation demonstrates the Torah's approach to confronting potential disasters with wisdom and practical planning.

Kabbalistic Dimension

The Zohar (1:200a) interprets the seven cows as representing seven harsh judgments (dinim) that would manifest in the physical world. Their emergence after the healthy cows shows how periods of abundance can be followed by severe tests of faith.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 55b
The verse is referenced in the context of interpreting dreams, specifically discussing Pharaoh's dream of the lean cows as an example of significant dream imagery.
📖 Ta'anit 9a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the interpretation of dreams and their implications, using Pharaoh's dream as a case study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do the seven thin cows represent in Pharaoh's dream?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 41:19), the seven thin and weak cows symbolize seven years of severe famine that would follow the seven years of plenty in Egypt. Their emaciated appearance represents the harshness of the famine, which would consume the abundance of the good years.
Q: Why does the verse emphasize that these cows were the worst in Egypt?
A: The Torah emphasizes the extreme poor condition of the cows ('such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness') to highlight the unprecedented severity of the coming famine. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 89:5) explains that this was a Divine warning to prepare adequately, as the famine would be unlike anything Egypt had experienced before.
Q: How did Yosef interpret the dream of the thin cows?
A: Yosef, guided by Divine wisdom (Rambam, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 7:1), interpreted the seven thin cows as seven years of famine that would consume the produce of the seven good years (represented by the healthy cows). This interpretation, found in Genesis 41:26-27, led to Egypt storing grain during the plenty years to survive the famine.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's dream about the thin cows?
A: The dream teaches the importance of foresight and preparation. The Sages (Talmud, Ta'anit 11a) derive from this that one must prepare during times of abundance for future challenges. This applies both materially (saving resources) and spiritually (strengthening one's faith in difficult times).
Q: Why were cows specifically used in Pharaoh's dream?
A: Rashi (Genesis 41:2) explains that cows symbolize sustenance and nourishment, as they provide milk and meat. Their appearance in the dream represented years of plenty and famine - times when food would be abundant or scarce. The choice of cows made the message about food supply clearly understandable to Pharaoh.