Genesis 41:23
ESV
Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them,
NIV
After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind.
NASB
and behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind sprouted up after them;
CSB
After them, seven heads of grain—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind—sprouted up.
NLT
Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were blighted, shriveled, and withered by the east wind.
KJV
And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
NKJV
Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them.
What does Genesis 41:23 mean?
Pharaoh is describing his second dream (Genesis 41:1–7) to Joseph (Genesis 41:14–16). In this vision, he saw seven full, healthy-looking ears of grain growing on a single stalk (Genesis 41:22).Now he tells of seeing seven more ears sprouting after those. These ears, however, appeared withered, thin, and blighted by the brutal desert winds of the region. This might be a reference to the chamsin, a harsh, fast-moving windstorm which brings intensely hot, dry air. The rest of his dream is found in the following verse (Genesis 41:24).
