Definition: And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 41:7 together. It’s a really interesting story about how a problem starts and escalates! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying that seven people – the sons of Jacob (who is the ancestor of many figures in the Bible) – started to hoard food and become very wealthy. Let’s unpack it further: “And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears.” This describes a specific pattern of behavior. “Thin ears” refers to the seven sons of Jacob. "Rank and full ears" means they were hoarding and storing food – basically, they were accumulating wealth. “And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.” This is the crucial part. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, wakes up one day and has a dream . In this dream, he sees seven ears (the sons of Jacob) gorging themselves on food. So, what’s happening? The verse describes a situation where these seven people started to become incredibly wealthy through their hoarding. Their greed and abundance led to Pharaoh waking up with a vivid dream of them eating so much! Why is this important? This story has several layers of meaning: God’s Foresight: It shows that God was watching over the situation and knew it would eventually come to pass. He saw the potential for trouble and wanted to intervene. The Beginning of a Larger Story: This dream is the beginning of a much larger story – the story of Joseph, who ends up saving Egypt from famine. The seven sons of Jacob's wealth led to a problem that ultimately benefited Pharaoh. In short, it’s a classic example of how greed and excessive accumulation can lead to unexpected consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the story in more detail? Discuss the symbolism behind this event? Compare this story to other stories or biblical themes?