Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed: and he stood by the river. C-MATS
Question: What was “the river”? Egypt depends on The Nile for their prosperity and was worshipped as their god. (Chumash) Even today Egypt with its rapidly growing population of 65 million people is almost totally dependent on the Nile. Population growth in Egypt is expected to outstrip the water resources of the Nile early in the 21st century. This problem will be greatly complicated by population and economic growth in the upstream nations of Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
Question: When did Pharaoh dream? In those days, after the death of Isaac, יהוה commanded and caused a famine upon the whole earth. (Jasher)
Genesis 41:2 And there came up out of the river seven fine looking fat cows and they fed in a meadow. 3 And seven other ugly and lean cows came up after them out of the river and stood by the other cows upon the bank of the river. 4 And the ugly and thin fleshed את seven cows did eat up the seven well favored and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.
Genesis 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and seven plump and good ears of corn came up upon one stalk, 6 And seven thin ears blasted by the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the thin את seven ears devoured the seven plump full ears. And Pharaoh awoke and saw that it was a dream. C-MATS
Question: Why was Pharaoh surprised to find it was only a dream? The visions had seemed so vivid that he thought he had seen real events. Chumash