Joseph’s journey

From Canaan to Egypt.

All journeys

Illustrated Nile Delta, providing regional context without identifying a court location.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA NILE DELTA WESTERN
DESERT EASTERN
DESERT EGYPT Nile

05Before PharaohEgypt · Court location unspecified

Regional contextExact court location is not stated.

CHAPTER 05 OF 06

Artist’s reconstruction

Before Pharaoh

Egypt · Dreams and responsibility

Brought from prison, Joseph explains Pharaoh’s dreams: seven years of abundance will be followed by seven years of famine. He proposes storing grain, and Pharaoh places him in charge of Egypt.

Genesis 41:14–41

Genesis does not identify this Pharaoh by name.

You might be wondering...

Which Pharaoh did Joseph serve?

Genesis does not name this Pharaoh. Proposed identifications depend on disputed historical chronologies; the illustration does not represent a confirmed individual.

What did Pharaoh’s dreams mean?

The seven healthy cows and seven full heads of grain represent seven years of abundance. The thin cows and withered heads represent seven years of famine. Joseph explains that the repeated dream confirms what God is about to do (Genesis 41:25–32).