Genesis 41:4

4 The skinny cows ate the seven healthy cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

Genesis 41:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:4

And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven
well favoured and fat kine
So it seemed in the dream as if this was done, was very strange and surprising that animals should devour one another; and especially that tame ones, cows or heifers, should eat those of their own species, which was never known to be done: so Pharaoh awoke;
through surprise at the strange sight he had in his dream.

Genesis 41:4 In-Context

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.
6 Then seven more ears grew up, but these were thin and dried out by the east wind.
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.