King James Version

What Does Genesis 41:3 Mean?

Genesis 41:3 in the King James Version says “And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed ; and stood by the other...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed ; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.”

Genesis 41:3 · KJV

Context

1

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

2

And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed ; and they fed in a meadow.

3

And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed ; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.

4

And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

5

And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. rank: Heb. fat

Read Genesis 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְהִנֵּ֞ה1 of 18
H2009

lo!

שֶׁ֧בַע2 of 18

“And behold seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

הַפָּר֖וֹת3 of 18

“kine”

H6510

a heifer

אֲחֵר֗וֹת4 of 18

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

עֹל֤וֹת5 of 18

“came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶן֙6 of 18

“after them”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

מִן7 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיְאֹֽר׃8 of 18

“of the river”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

רָע֥וֹת9 of 18

“ill”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מַרְאֶ֖ה10 of 18

“favoured”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

וְדַקּ֣וֹת11 of 18

“and leanfleshed”

H1851

crushed, i.e., (by implication) small or thin

בָּשָׂ֑ר12 of 18
H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה13 of 18

“and stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֵ֥צֶל14 of 18

“by”

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

הַפָּר֖וֹת15 of 18

“kine”

H6510

a heifer

עַל16 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׂפַ֥ת17 of 18

“upon the brink”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

הַיְאֹֽר׃18 of 18

“of the river”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 41:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 41:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 41:4Genesis 41:20-21

Places in This Verse

NileRiver · Modern: Nile River · 31.47°N, 30.37°E45 verses across 9 books
View all places in Genesis 41 →

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