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Genesis 41:4 - Dream's ominous warning revealed.

Genesis 41:4 - בראשית 41:4

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאכַלְנָה הַפָּרוֹת רָעוֹת הַמַּרְאֶה וְדַקֹּת הַבָּשָׂר אֵת שֶׁבַע הַפָּרוֹת יְפֹת הַמַּרְאֶה וְהַבְּרִיאֹת וַיִּיקַץ פַּרְעֹה׃

English Translation

And the ill favoured and leanfleshed cows ate up the seven well favoured and fat cows. So Par῾o awoke.

Transliteration

Vatokhalna haparot ra'ot hamar'eh vedakot habasar et sheva haparot yefot hamar'eh vehabri'ot vayikatz par'oh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּאכַ֣לְנָה הַפָּר֗וֹת רָע֤וֹת הַמַּרְאֶה֙ וְדַקֹּ֣ת הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַפָּר֔וֹת יְפֹ֥ת הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה וְהַבְּרִיאֹ֑ת וַיִּיקַ֖ץ פַּרְעֹֽה׃
וַתֹּאכַ֣לְנָה הַפָּר֗וֹת רָע֤וֹת הַמַּרְאֶה֙ וְדַקֹּ֣ת הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַפָּר֔וֹת יְפֹ֥ת הַמַּרְאֶ֖ה וְהַבְּרִיאֹ֑ת וַיִּיקַ֖ץ פַּרְעֹֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 41:4) describes Pharaoh's dream in which seven emaciated cows devour seven healthy, robust cows. This dream, along with the subsequent dream of withered ears of grain consuming healthy ones, sets the stage for Yosef's interpretation and rise to power in Egypt.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 41:4) notes that the dream's disturbing imagery—weak cows consuming strong ones—signifies that years of famine will be so severe they will "consume" and erase the abundance of the years of plenty. The fact that Pharaoh awoke immediately after this part of the dream indicates its profound impact on him.

Symbolism of the Cows

  • Seven Cows: The number seven corresponds to the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, as later interpreted by Yosef (Bereshit 41:26-27).
  • Ill-Favored vs. Healthy: The contrast between the cows represents the drastic shift from prosperity to deprivation. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:5) elaborates that the emaciated cows symbolize the suffering that would come upon Egypt.
  • Devouring: The act of the lean cows eating the healthy ones suggests that the famine would be so severe that people would forget the previous abundance (Ramban on Bereshit 41:4).

Pharaoh's Reaction

The verse concludes with Pharaoh awakening abruptly. The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 41:4) explains that this sudden awakening reflects Pharaoh's deep distress over the dream's ominous message. His subconscious recognized the severity of the vision even before Yosef's interpretation.

Broader Lessons

The Sforno (Bereshit 41:4) teaches that this episode demonstrates Divine Providence—Hashem was preparing Egypt (and ultimately Yaakov's family) for the upcoming famine by giving Pharaoh this warning in advance. The dream also highlights the principle that prosperity can be fleeting if not managed wisely, a lesson reinforced by Yosef's subsequent advice to store grain during the years of plenty.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 55b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing dreams and their interpretations, particularly in relation to Pharaoh's dream as interpreted by Joseph.
📖 Chullin 95b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the nature of dreams and their significance, using Pharaoh's dream as an example.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Pharaoh's dream about the cows in Genesis 41:4?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, the dream symbolizes seven years of famine (represented by the thin cows) that will consume the abundance of seven years of plenty (represented by the fat cows). This was a divine message about future events in Egypt.
Q: Why did the thin cows eat the fat cows in Pharaoh's dream?
A: The Midrash explains that this imagery shows how the years of famine would be so severe that they would 'consume' or erase any memory of the previous years of plenty, as if the good years never existed. The Rambam notes this teaches about how extreme hardship can overshadow past prosperity.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's dream of the cows?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 55b) teaches that dreams often contain symbolic messages. This dream teaches the importance of preparing during good times for future challenges. Joseph later implements this by storing grain during plenty to survive the famine - a lesson in foresight and responsible planning.
Q: Why did Pharaoh wake up after this part of the dream?
A: Rashi explains that Pharaoh awoke because this part of the dream was particularly disturbing and shocking - the unnatural sight of weak animals devouring strong ones. This sudden awakening emphasized the importance of the dream's message and led him to seek interpretation.
Q: How does the symbolism of cows in this verse connect to Jewish tradition?
A: In Jewish thought, cows often represent sustenance and material provision (as they provide milk and labor). The contrast between healthy and emaciated cows symbolizes the dramatic shift between abundance and scarcity. The Talmud (Chullin 84a) also discusses how cattle dreams frequently relate to economic conditions.