King James Version

What Does Genesis 41:30 Mean?

Genesis 41:30 in the King James Version says “And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;”

Genesis 41:30 · KJV

Context

28

This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

29

Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:

30

And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

31

And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following ; for it shall be very grievous. grievous: Heb. heavy

32

And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. established: or, prepared of God

Read Genesis 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the... 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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְ֠קָמוּ1 of 14

“And there shall arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

שֶׁ֨בַע2 of 14

“seven”

H7651

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

שְׁנֵ֤י3 of 14

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָֽרָעָ֖ב4 of 14

“and the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן5 of 14

“after them”

H310

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

וְנִשְׁכַּ֥ח6 of 14

“shall be forgotten”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

כָּל7 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשָּׂבָ֖ע8 of 14

“and all the plenty”

H7647

copiousness

הָאָֽרֶץ׃9 of 14

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם10 of 14

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְכִלָּ֥ה11 of 14

“shall consume”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

הָֽרָעָ֖ב12 of 14

“and the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

אֶת13 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃14 of 14

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 41:30 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 41:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 41:54Genesis 47:13James 5:17Psalms 105:162 Kings 8:1Luke 4:25

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 41 →

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