12:44-49

12:44-49

12:44

They said: “A confused medley of dreams: and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams.”

12:45

But the man who had been released, one of the two (who had been in prison) and who now bethought him after (so long) a space of time, said: “I will tell you the truth of its interpretation: send ye me (therefore).”

12:46

“O Joseph!” (he said) “O man of truth! Expound to us (the dream) of seven fat kine whom seven lean ones devour, and of seven green ears of corn and (seven) others withered: that Imay return to the people, and that they may understand.”

12:47-49

(Joseph) said: “For seven years shall ye diligently sow as is your wont: and the harvests that ye reap, ye shall leave them in the ear,- except a little, of which ye shall eat. “Then will come after that (period) seven dreadful (years), which will devour what ye shall have laid by in advance for them,- (all) except a little which ye shall have (specially) guarded. “Then will come after that (period) a year in which the people will have abundant water, and in which they will press (wine and oil).” Joseph’s interpretation of the dream offers a window into what would happen during the next fifteen years of Egypt’s agrarian cycle. During the first phase, the Egyptians would sow diligently for seven years, as this would be a time of great fertility and abundance (R). The second phase would bring seven hard , that is, a time of dearth that would be exceedingly difficult for people (R). Joseph proposed to store up much of the harvest during the first phase so that the people would have food during the second phase. The year of succor during which people will press refers to the last year of the cycle, which would be a blessed year of much bounty for the people of Egypt(R); the pressing of oil and wine is an indication that there would be food in abundance once again; cf. Genesis 41:25–36.

References:

Nasr, Hossein (2015). Study Quran.