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Genesis 41:7 - Thin devours plump: Divine message?

Genesis 41:7 - בראשית 41:7

Hebrew Text

וַתִּבְלַעְנָה הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַדַּקּוֹת אֵת שֶׁבַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַבְּרִיאוֹת וְהַמְּלֵאוֹת וַיִּיקַץ פַּרְעֹה וְהִנֵּה חֲלוֹם׃

English Translation

And the seven thin ears devoured the seven plump and full ears. And Par῾o awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

Transliteration

Vativlana hashibolim hadakot et sheva hashibolim habri'ot vehamele'ot vayikatz par'o vehinei chalom.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּבְלַ֙עְנָה֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקּ֔וֹת אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַֽשִּׁבֳּלִ֔ים הַבְּרִיא֖וֹת וְהַמְּלֵא֑וֹת וַיִּיקַ֥ץ פַּרְעֹ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה חֲלֽוֹם׃
וַתִּבְלַ֙עְנָה֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקּ֔וֹת אֵ֚ת שֶׁ֣בַע הַֽשִּׁבֳּלִ֔ים הַבְּרִיא֖וֹת וְהַמְּלֵא֑וֹת וַיִּיקַ֥ץ פַּרְעֹ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה חֲלֽוֹם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding Pharaoh's Dream

The verse describes Pharaoh's dream in which seven thin ears of grain devour seven plump and full ears. This imagery is laden with symbolic meaning, as interpreted by Yosef later in the narrative (Bereishit 41:26-27). The dream foretells seven years of famine that will consume the abundance of seven years of plenty.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bereishit 41:7) explains that the word וַתִּבְלַעְנָה ("devoured") indicates the thin ears did not merely coexist with the plump ones but actively consumed them. This suggests the famine years will be so severe that they will erase any visible trace of the prior years of plenty, as if the abundance had never existed.

Symbolism of the Ears of Grain

  • Thin Ears (הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַדַּקּוֹת): Represent scarcity and hardship. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 89:5) notes their weakness symbolizes the inability of the land to produce during famine.
  • Plump Ears (הַשִּׁבֳּלִים הַבְּרִיאוֹת): Symbolize prosperity. Ramban (Bereishit 41:1) emphasizes that their fullness indicates Divine blessing during years of plenty.

Pharaoh's Awakening

The phrase וַיִּיקַץ פַּרְעֹה וְהִנֵּה חֲלוֹם ("Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream") underscores the vividness and prophetic nature of the dream. The Talmud (Berachot 55b) teaches that significant dreams often contain divine messages, especially for rulers whose decisions impact nations.

Lessons from the Dream

The Sforno (Bereishit 41:7) highlights that the dream served as a warning to prepare for future hardship. This aligns with the Torah's emphasis on foresight and responsible stewardship, as later demonstrated by Yosef's 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 recounted in the Torah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Pharaoh's dream about the thin ears of grain devouring the healthy ones?
A: According to Rashi and other Jewish commentaries, Pharaoh's dream symbolized seven years of famine (the thin ears) that would consume the abundance of seven years of plenty (the healthy ears). This was a warning about an upcoming economic cycle that required preparation.
Q: Why did Pharaoh dream about ears of grain specifically?
A: The Midrash explains that grain represents sustenance and livelihood. Since Egypt was an agricultural society, this imagery was meaningful to Pharaoh. The Torah often uses symbols that are relevant to the dreamer's environment and understanding.
Q: How does Joseph interpret this dream according to Jewish tradition?
A: As explained in Genesis 41, Joseph (guided by Divine wisdom) interprets the seven healthy ears as seven years of agricultural abundance, and the seven thin ears as seven years of severe famine that would follow. This demonstrates how Hashem communicates through dreams to guide human affairs.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Pharaoh's dream today?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 55b) teaches that dreams reflect a person's thoughts and concerns. This story reminds us to be mindful of warnings about future challenges and to prepare wisely, just as Joseph advised storing grain during the years of plenty.
Q: Why does the verse mention Pharaoh waking up after the dream?
A: Rashi notes that the abrupt awakening emphasizes the dream's disturbing nature. The Torah highlights this detail to show how powerfully the dream affected Pharaoh, leading him to seek interpretation - which ultimately brought Joseph to leadership in Egypt.