Israel · Seven years of plenty, seven of famine
Genesis 41:25-32
Joseph · ~1880 BC · Status: Fulfilled · Confidence: 65%
“And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.”
King James Version · the opening — all 8 verses are below
Joseph's God-given interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams — seven years of plenty then seven of famine — fulfilled exactly, saving Egypt and the nations.
Read the whole passage — all 8 verses (KJV)
41:25And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
41:26The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
41:27And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
41:28This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
41:29Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
41:30And 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;
41:31And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
41:32And 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.
Fulfillment References
Genesis 41:53-57 Genesis 45:6 Acts 7:11 Psalm 105:16-17
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe God who 'will shortly bring it to pass' (Gen. 41:32) is the one God who declares the end from the beginning — fulfilled to the letter.
JewishJoseph's God-given interpretation, fulfilled precisely — a testimony that 'interpretations belong to God' and His providence preserves life.
CatholicGod revealing the future through Joseph to preserve many — His providential care.
ProtestantThe dream fulfilled exactly (Gen. 41:53-57); a clear case of predictive revelation 'established by God.'
OrthodoxGod's foreknowledge through Joseph, saving many alive.
DispensationalLiteral predictive fulfillment, with Joseph as a savior-type.
AcademicA dream-interpretation narrative paralleling Egyptian motifs; the 'doubled dream = certain and imminent' is a notable interpretive principle.
Open the full interactive entry →
Audio narration (listen to this prophecy read aloud), cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, a prophetic timeline, network maps, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.