the second dream supplemented the first. It
meant that the descendants of Pharaoh would regain sovereign
authority over Egypt at a subsequent period, and
would subdue the seven Canaanitish nations as well.

There was a third interpretation, given by some: The
seven fat kine are seven women whom Pharaoh would take
to wife, but they would die during his lifetime, their loss
being indicated by the seven lean kine. Furthermore,
Pharaoh would have fourteen sons, and the seven strong
ones would be conquered by the seven weaklings, as the
blasted ears of corn in his dream had swallowed up the rank
ears of corn.

And a fourth: "Thou wilt have seven sons, O Pharaoh,
these are the seven fat kine. These sons of thine will be
killed by the seven powerful rebellious princes. But then
seven minor princes will come, and they will kill the seven
rebels, avenge thy descendants, and restore the dominion to
thy family."

The king was as little pleased with these interpretations
as with the others, which he had heard before, and in his
wrath he ordered the wise men, the magicians and the scribes
of Egypt, to be killed, and the hangmen made ready to execute
the royal decree.

However, Mirod, Pharaoh's chief butler,[163] took fright,
seeing that the king was so vexed at his failure to secure an
interpretation of his dreams that he was on the point of