Pharaoh dreamed that seven skinny cows gobbled up seven fat cows along the Nile River. Many people in Bible times believed that dreams carried hidden messages, so he called on the magicians of the land to tell him the meaning of his dream.      These magicians belonged to an order of priests who were held in high esteem in a land that had a magical, superstitious approach to religion. But their “black magic” for mulas and incantations failed them in this case.

Ironically, a foreigner, Joseph the Israelite-who worshiped a God unknown to the Egyptians-was brought out of prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.

Centuries later, other magicians of Egypt clashes with Moses and Aaron when they appeared before Pharaoh to demand the release of the Israelites from slavery (Ex 7:11-12).

GENESIS 41:8 – He [Pharaoh] sent called for all the magicians of Egypt. . . and Pharaoh told them his dream: but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.