complete verse (Genesis 41:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:26:

  • Kankanaey: “The seven cows that are fat and the seven heads-of-grain whose fruit is well-formed, seven years is the meaning of those.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The meaning of the seven good-looking cows is seven years, and the meaning of the seven good heads of grain is also seven years. The meaning of both dreams is the same.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The seven fat cows and the seven good/full heads-of-grain have the same seven years of meaning.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The seven healthy cows represent seven years. The seven good heads of grain also represent seven years. The two dreams both have the same meaning.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:26

In Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams of the butler and the baker in 40.12, three objects represented three days. Here in the king’s dreams seven objects represent seven years. Joseph explains in verse 29 what will happen during these seven years.

Seven years may need to be expressed as “seven years with plenty of food,” to contrast with the “seven years of famine.”

For the translation of this verse, see 40.12, 18.

The dream is one: that is, “Your dreams both have the same meaning,” or “they both [the seven cows and the seven ears] stand for the same thing.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .