Genesis 41:19
New International Version
After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt.

New Living Translation
But then I saw seven sick-looking cows, scrawny and thin, come up after them. I’ve never seen such sorry-looking animals in all the land of Egypt.

English Standard Version
Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt!

King James Bible
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

New King James Version
Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt.

New American Standard Bible
Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen for ugliness in all the land of Egypt;

NASB 1995
“Lo, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such as I had never seen for ugliness in all the land of Egypt;

NASB 1977
“And lo, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such as I had never seen for ugliness in all the land of Egypt;

Legacy Standard Bible
And behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and lean, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt, in regard to ugliness;

Amplified Bible
Lo, seven other cows came up after them, very ugly and gaunt [just skin and bones]; such emaciated animals as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
After them, seven other cows—weak, very sickly, and thin—came up. I’ve never seen such sickly ones as these in all the land of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After them, seven other cows—ugly, very sickly, and thin—came up. I’ve never seen such ugly ones as these in all the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version
and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

Contemporary English Version
Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt.

English Revised Version
and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Seven other cows came up behind them. These cows were scrawny, very sick, and thin. I've never seen such sickly cows in all of Egypt!

Good News Translation
Then seven other cows came up which were thin and bony. They were the poorest cows I have ever seen anywhere in Egypt.

International Standard Version
Just then, seven other cows emerged after them, poor, ugly, and appearing very gaunt in their flesh. I've never seen anything as ugly as those cows anywhere in the entire land of Egypt!

Majority Standard Bible
After them, seven other cows?sickly, ugly, and thin?came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt!

NET Bible
Then seven other cows came up after them; they were scrawny, very bad-looking, and lean. I had never seen such bad-looking cows as these in all the land of Egypt!

New Heart English Bible
And look, seven other cows came up after them, scrawny and very miserable-looking and thin. I had never seen such bad-looking cows in all the land of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
And behold, seven other cows came out after them, poor, and very ill-favored, and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

World English Bible
and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for ugliness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and behold, seven other cows are coming up after them, thin, and of very bad form, and lean [in] flesh; I have not seen like these in all the land of Egypt for badness.

Young's Literal Translation
and lo, seven other kine are coming up after them, thin, and of very bad form, and lean in flesh; I have not seen like these in all the land of Egypt for badness.

Smith's Literal Translation
And behold, seven other heifers coming up after them, poor and evil exceedingly, in form, and thin in flesh I saw not like them in all the land of Egypt for evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And behold, there followed these, other seven kine, so very ill favoured and lean, that I never saw the like in the land of Egypt:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behold, there followed after these, another seven cows, with such deformity and emaciation as I had never seen in the land of Egypt.

New American Bible
Behind them came seven other cows, scrawny, most ill-formed and gaunt. Never have I seen such bad specimens as these in all the land of Egypt!

New Revised Standard Version
Then seven other cows came up after them, poor, very ugly, and thin. Never had I seen such ugly ones in all the land of Egypt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And, behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and ill-favored and lean. I had never seen such ill-favored cows in all the land of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold seven other cows arise after them, skinny and their appearance bad and very sickly in their flesh, and I had not seen any so bad in all the land of Egypt:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favoured and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And behold seven other cows came up after them out of the river, evil and ill-favoured and lean-fleshed, such that I never saw worse in all the land of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams
18when seven cows, well-fed and sleek, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows— sickly, ugly, and thin came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt! 20Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.…

Cross References
Exodus 7:19-21
And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers and canals and ponds and all the reservoirs—that they may become blood.’ There will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the vessels of wood and stone.” / Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. / The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:3-6
then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. / But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’” / The LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.” ...

Exodus 10:15
They covered the face of all the land until it was black, and they consumed all the plants on the ground and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left behind. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.

Psalm 105:16
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.

Isaiah 19:5-7
The waters of the Nile will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and empty. / The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither. / The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more.

Isaiah 37:27
Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.

Jeremiah 14:1-6
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. ...

Ezekiel 17:9-10
So you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Will it flourish? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it shrivels? All its foliage will wither! It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by its roots. / Even if it is transplanted, will it flourish? Will it not completely wither when the east wind strikes? It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.’”

Ezekiel 19:12-14
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them. / Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. / Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”

Joel 1:10-12
The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. / Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.

Amos 4:9
“I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

Haggai 1:11
I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.”

Matthew 13:6
But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

Mark 4:7
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop.


Treasury of Scripture

And, behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ill favored and skinney, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

poor.

Ruth 3:10
And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Jump to Previous
Badness Cattle Cows Egypt Favored Gaunt Ill Ill-Favored Ill-Favoured Kine Leanfleshed Poor Poor-Looking Seven Thin Ugly Worse
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Badness Cattle Cows Egypt Favored Gaunt Ill Ill-Favored Ill-Favoured Kine Leanfleshed Poor Poor-Looking Seven Thin Ugly Worse
Genesis 41
1. Pharaoh has two dreams.
9. Joseph interprets them.
33. He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.
46. The seven years of plenty.
50. He begets children.
53. The famine begins.














After them
This phrase indicates a sequence of events, emphasizing the progression of Pharaoh's dream. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "אַחֲרֵיהֶן" (achareihen), which denotes a following or subsequent occurrence. This sequence is crucial as it sets the stage for the contrast between the healthy and the sickly cows, symbolizing the impending years of famine following years of abundance. Theologically, it reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and God's sovereignty over time and events.

seven other cows
The number seven in the Bible often signifies completeness or perfection, derived from the Hebrew word "שֶׁבַע" (sheva). In this context, it represents a complete cycle of years. The "other cows" are distinct from the first set, indicating a shift from prosperity to adversity. This serves as a divine warning to Pharaoh, highlighting the importance of discernment and preparation in times of plenty.

came up
The phrase "came up" is translated from the Hebrew "עֹלוֹת" (olot), suggesting an emergence or rising. This imagery of cows coming up from the riverbank is symbolic of the natural and inevitable emergence of challenges in life. It reflects the unpredictability of circumstances and the need for vigilance and reliance on God's wisdom.

sickly and thin
These adjectives describe the physical condition of the second set of cows. "Sickly" is translated from "רָעוֹת" (ra'ot), meaning evil or bad, and "thin" from "דַּקּוֹת" (dakkot), meaning lean or gaunt. This stark contrast to the healthy cows symbolizes the severity of the famine to come. Historically, Egypt's reliance on the Nile for sustenance makes this imagery particularly poignant, as a failure in the river's bounty would lead to widespread suffering.

stood beside
The act of standing beside, from the Hebrew "וַתַּעֲמֹדְנָה" (vata'amodna), indicates proximity and comparison. The sickly cows standing beside the healthy ones create a visual juxtaposition, emphasizing the impending reversal of fortune. This serves as a metaphor for the choices and consequences that stand side by side in our lives, urging us to choose wisely and prepare for future challenges.

the other cows
Referring back to the first set of cows, "the other cows" underscores the contrast between the two groups. This distinction is crucial in understanding the dream's message of abundance followed by scarcity. It serves as a reminder of the duality of life and the need for gratitude and stewardship during times of plenty.

on the bank of the river
The "bank of the river" is a significant location, as the Nile River was the lifeblood of Egypt, essential for agriculture and survival. The Hebrew word "שְׂפַת" (sefat) means edge or lip, indicating a boundary or threshold. This setting highlights the dependency of Egypt on the Nile and serves as a metaphor for the boundary between prosperity and famine. It calls believers to recognize the source of their blessings and to trust in God's provision and guidance.

(19) Poor and very ill-favoured and leanfleshed.--Pharaoh, in his recital, describes his dreams at greater length than is the case in the narrative (Genesis 41:2-7), and also mentions the impressions made upon his imagination by what he had seen, as, for instance, that he had never beheld such lean cattle, and that they were as wretched in look after eating up the fat kine as before. There is also a slight difference in his description of the kine. In Genesis 41:3 they are called "evil in appearance, and lean of flesh;" but the words here are "lean, and evil in shape, and thin of flesh."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After them,
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן (’a·ḥă·rê·hen)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

seven
שֶֽׁבַע־ (še·ḇa‘-)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

other
אֲחֵרוֹת֙ (’ă·ḥê·rō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

cows,
פָּר֤וֹת (pā·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6510: A heifer, cow

sickly,
וְרָע֥וֹת (wə·rā·‘ō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine plural construct
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

ugly,
תֹּ֛אַר (tō·’ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8389: Outline, figure, appearance

and thin,
וְרַקּ֣וֹת (wə·raq·qō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine plural construct
Strong's 7534: Thin, only, altogether, surely

came up.
עֹל֣וֹת (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

I have never
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

seen
רָאִ֧יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

such ugly
לָרֹֽעַ׃ (lā·rō·a‘)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7455: Badness, evil

[cows]
כָהֵ֛נָּה (ḵā·hên·nāh)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Strong's 2007: Themselves

in all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the land
אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt!
מִצְרַ֖יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Law: Genesis 41:19 And behold seven other cattle came up (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 41:18
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