Genesis 41:3

3 Then seven other cows, all skin and bones, came up out of the river after them and stood by them on the bank of the Nile.

Genesis 41:3 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:3

And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the
river, ill favoured, and leanfleshed
Thin and haggard, their bones stuck out, having scarce any flesh upon them, and made a wretched figure: and stood by the [other] kine;
and looked so much the worse, when compared with them: upon the brink of the river;
it not being overflowed, so that there was no grass to be had, but just upon the bank, where these kept for that purpose; for the fruitfulness of Egypt was owing to the river Nile; as that overflowed or did not, there was plenty or famine; hence both these sorts of creatures came up out of that.

Genesis 41:3 In-Context

1 Two years passed and Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile River.
2 Seven cows came up out of the Nile, all shimmering with health, and grazed on the marsh grass.
3 Then seven other cows, all skin and bones, came up out of the river after them and stood by them on the bank of the Nile.
4 The skinny cows ate the seven healthy cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
5 He went back to sleep and dreamed a second time: Seven ears of grain, full-bodied and lush, grew out of a single stalk.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.