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Genesis 41:24 - Dream's ominous wheat reversal

Genesis 41:24 - בראשית 41:24

Hebrew Text

וַתִּבְלַעְןָ הָשִׁבֳּלִים הַדַּקֹּת אֵת שֶׁבַע הַשִׁבֳּלִים הַטֹּבוֹת וָאֹמַר אֶל־הַחַרְטֻמִּים וְאֵין מַגִּיד לִי׃

English Translation

and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this to the magicians

Transliteration

Vativlan hashibolim hadakot et sheva hashibolim hatovot vaomar el-hachartumim ve'ein magid li.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּבְלַ֙עְןָ֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקֹּ֔ת אֵ֛ת שֶׁ֥בַע הַֽשִּׁבֳּלִ֖ים הַטֹּב֑וֹת וָֽאֹמַר֙ אֶל־הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֔ים וְאֵ֥ין מַגִּ֖יד לִֽי׃
וַתִּבְלַ֙עְןָ֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקֹּ֔ת אֵ֛ת שֶׁ֥בַע הַֽשִּׁבֳּלִ֖ים הַטֹּב֑וֹת וָֽאֹמַר֙ אֶל־הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֔ים וְאֵ֥ין מַגִּ֖יד לִֽי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Interpretation of the Verse

The verse describes Pharaoh's dream in which the thin, withered ears of grain devour the seven healthy, robust ears. This imagery is part of the prophetic dreams that Yosef (Joseph) later interprets as foretelling seven years of famine following seven years of abundance. The magicians (chartumim) were unable to provide a satisfactory interpretation, setting the stage for Yosef's divinely inspired explanation.

Traditional Jewish Sources

  • Rashi (Bereshit 41:8): Rashi explains that the magicians attempted to interpret the dream but failed because they could not reconcile the symbolism of the thin ears overpowering the healthy ones. This highlights the limitations of human wisdom without divine insight.
  • Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:45): Rambam discusses dreams as a medium for divine communication, emphasizing that true prophecy—like Yosef's interpretation—comes from Hashem, whereas the magicians relied on human methods.
  • Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:6): The Midrash suggests that the magicians offered interpretations based on natural cycles, such as predicting seven daughters for Pharaoh who would die, but they could not grasp the deeper, national significance of the dream.

Symbolism of the Ears of Grain

The devouring of the healthy ears by the withered ones symbolizes the severity of the famine, which would be so great that it would "consume" the years of plenty, leaving no trace. This aligns with Yosef's later advice to store grain during the years of abundance to survive the famine.

Spiritual Lessons

  • The inability of the magicians to interpret the dream underscores that true wisdom comes from Hashem, as seen in Yosef's attribution of his interpretation to divine guidance (Bereshit 41:16).
  • The dream serves as a reminder of Hashem's providence, preparing the world for Yosef's rise to power and the eventual sustenance of Bnei Yisrael during the famine.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the thin ears devouring the good ears in Pharaoh's dream?
A: According to Rashi and other traditional Jewish commentaries, the thin ears devouring the good ears symbolize years of famine (the thin ears) that will be so severe they will 'erase' the memory of the previous years of plenty (the good ears). This interpretation was later confirmed by Yosef (Joseph) when he explained the dream to Pharaoh.
Q: Why couldn't Pharaoh's magicians interpret this dream?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:6) explains that the magicians could not interpret the dream because dreams about agricultural produce were outside their expertise—they were more familiar with dreams about rivers and reeds. Additionally, the Sages teach that true dream interpretation requires divine wisdom, which Yosef possessed but the magicians lacked.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's dream about the ears of grain?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 55b) teaches that dreams often contain symbolic messages. Here, the lesson is about preparing for future hardships during times of prosperity—a theme central to Yosef's advice to Pharaoh to store grain during the seven good years. This teaches us the importance of foresight and responsible planning.
Q: Why does the verse emphasize that Pharaoh told this to the magicians?
A: Rashi explains that this detail shows Pharaoh's frustration—he expected his wise men to interpret the dream, but they failed. This sets the stage for Yosef's eventual rise, demonstrating that true wisdom comes from Hashem. The Midrash adds that sometimes challenges arise so that the right person (in this case, Yosef) can step forward with divine insight.