82. How splendidly he inferred the
future. First, how acutely, when interpreting the royal dream, he
stated the truth. This was the king’s first dream. Gen. xli. 17 ff. Seven heifers came up out of the
river well-favoured and fat-fleshed, and they fed at the banks of the
river. And other bullocks ill-favoured and lean-fleshed came up
out of the river after the heifers, and fed near them on the very edge
of the river. And these thin and wretched bullocks seemed to
devour those others which were so fat and well-favoured. And this
was the second dream. Gen. xli. 22 ff. Seven fat
ears full and good came up from the ground. And after them seven
wretched ears, blasted with the wind and withered, endeavoured to take
their place. And it seemed that the barren and thin ears devoured
the rich and fruitful ears.