And 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.
The seven skinny and ugly cows that came up after the fat ones represent seven years of famine. And the seven empty grain stalks that were scorched by the hot desert wind also represent seven years of famine.
Joseph is explaining that both parts of Pharaoh's dream point to the same thing: seven years of severe famine coming after seven years of plenty.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, rises to prominence in Egypt due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams. Pharaoh experiences two troubling dreams: one involving seven healthy cows devoured by seven gaunt ones, and another with seven full ears of grain swallowed by seven thin ones. Joseph explains that these symbols represent seven years of abundant harvest followed by seven years of severe famine, as detailed in this verse.
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