The Meaning of Genesis 41:26 Explained

Genesis 41:26

KJV: The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

YLT: the seven good kine are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years, the dream is one;

Darby: The seven fine kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

ASV: The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The seven  good  kine  [are] seven  years;  and the seven  good  ears  [are] seven  years:  the dream  [is] one. 

What does Genesis 41:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 41:14-36 - Pharaoh's Dreams Interpreted
Notwithstanding the great urgency of the royal summons, and the speed with which the great events of his life crowded on one another, Joseph was kept in perfect peace. He found time to shave, and to change his raiment. Let us be at rest in God. He that believeth does not make needless haste. One of the loveliest traits in Joseph's character was his humility. He did not take on airs, nor assume superiority, nor pose as a superior and injured person. He said simply, "It is not in me; God will give." These words might have been uttered by our Lord; they are so perfectly in harmony with the tenor of his life. Surely we should appropriate them. At the best we are but God's almoners, passing on to others the good things of which He has made us the stewards. Joseph was set on using all he had, not for himself, but for others; therefore he had more and more to give. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 41:26 mean?

Seven cows the good years are and seven the heads good years are The dreams one are
שֶׁ֧בַע פָּרֹ֣ת הַטֹּבֹ֗ת שָׁנִים֙ הֵ֔נָּה וְשֶׁ֤בַע הַֽשִּׁבֳּלִים֙ הַטֹּבֹ֔ת שָׁנִ֖ים הֵ֑נָּה חֲל֖וֹם אֶחָ֥ד הֽוּא

שֶׁ֧בַע  Seven 
Parse: Number, feminine singular
Root: שֶׁבַע  
Sense: seven (cardinal number).
פָּרֹ֣ת  cows 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: פָּרָה  
Sense: cow, heifer.
הַטֹּבֹ֗ת  the  good 
Parse: Article, Adjective, feminine plural
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
שָׁנִים֙  years 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: שָׁנָה  
Sense: year.
וְשֶׁ֤בַע  and  seven 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Number, feminine singular
Root: שֶׁבַע  
Sense: seven (cardinal number).
הַֽשִּׁבֳּלִים֙  the  heads 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: שִׁבֹּלֶת 
Sense: flowing stream.
הַטֹּבֹ֔ת  good 
Parse: Article, Adjective, feminine plural
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
שָׁנִ֖ים  years 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: שָׁנָה  
Sense: year.
חֲל֖וֹם  The  dreams 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֲלֹום  
Sense: dream.
אֶחָ֥ד  one 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: אֶחָד  
Sense: one (number).