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Genesis 41:6 - Famine's ominous warning revealed?

Genesis 41:6 - בראשית 41:6

Hebrew Text

וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע שִׁבֳּלִים דַּקּוֹת וּשְׁדוּפֹת קָדִים צֹמְחוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן׃

English Translation

And, behold, seven ears thin, and blasted by the east wind sprang up after them.

Transliteration

Ve'hine sheva shibolim dakot ushdufot kadim tzomchot achareihen.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִנֵּה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֔ים דַּקּ֖וֹת וּשְׁדוּפֹ֣ת קָדִ֑ים צֹמְח֖וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶֽן׃
וְהִנֵּה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֔ים דַּקּ֖וֹת וּשְׁדוּפֹ֣ת קָדִ֑ים צֹמְח֖וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶֽן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Bereshit 41:6) appears in Pharaoh's dream, which Yosef later interprets as a prophecy of seven years of famine following seven years of plenty. The "thin and blasted ears" symbolize the coming famine, contrasting with the healthy ears in the previous verse.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "שְׁדוּפֹת קָדִים" (blasted by the east wind) refers to a scorching wind that withers vegetation. He notes that the east wind in Eretz Yisrael is particularly damaging to crops, as it comes from the desert (Rashi on Bereshit 41:6).

Symbolism of the Seven Thin Ears

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:5) elaborates that the number seven corresponds to the seven years of famine. The thinness represents scarcity, while being "blasted" indicates the severity of the hunger that would leave people physically withered.

  • Spiritual Interpretation: The Kli Yakar suggests the east wind represents divine judgment, as the same wind (קָדִים) later splits the Yam Suf during Yetziat Mitzrayim.
  • Agricultural Reality: Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:4) notes that wind damage was a recognized cause of famine in the ancient Near East, making Pharaoh's dream credible.

Pharaoh's Subconscious Awareness

The Malbim observes that the ears "sprang up after them" (אַחֲרֵיהֶן) shows Pharaoh intuitively understood these were separate events following the years of plenty, though he needed Yosef to reveal the full meaning.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 56b
The verse is referenced in the context of interpreting dreams, where the thin and blasted ears of grain are discussed as symbols of famine or hardship.
📖 Ta'anit 8b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the effects of the east wind on crops, illustrating how natural phenomena can impact agricultural outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do the seven thin ears of grain represent in Pharaoh's dream?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish interpretation, the seven thin ears of grain represent seven years of famine that would follow the seven years of plenty (represented by the healthy ears). The thin ears being 'blasted by the east wind' symbolizes the harshness and severity of the coming famine.
Q: Why is the east wind mentioned as damaging the grain?
A: The east wind (kadim) in Israel is known as a hot, dry wind that can wither crops (as mentioned in Ezekiel 17:10). The Midrash explains this emphasizes how severe the famine would be - not just a lack of food, but that any attempts to grow food would be destroyed by harsh conditions.
Q: How did Joseph interpret this part of Pharaoh's dream?
A: Joseph, guided by divine wisdom (Genesis 41:16), explained that this showed seven years of terrible famine would come after seven years of abundance. The Talmud (Berachot 55a) notes that dreams follow their interpretation, showing the importance of proper understanding of divine messages.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the thin ears growing after the healthy ones?
A: The Rambam teaches that this teaches us to prepare during good times for future difficulties. Just as Joseph advised storing grain during plenty to survive famine, we should use periods of blessing wisely to prepare for challenges that may come.
Q: Why are there seven ears in the dream?
A: The number seven frequently appears in Torah representing completion (as in seven days of creation). Here, seven years completes a full cycle of divine judgment - seven years of plenty followed by seven of famine. The Midrash notes this shows G-d's precise planning in world events.