What is the significance of the fact that the lean cows swallowed the fat ones?
Rashi: It signifies that all the benefits of the good years would be forgotten once the years of famine began. 1
Ramban: To inform Pharaoh that the excessive grain that grew in the good years would be used in the bad years. In fact, that is what prompted Yosef to advise Pharaoh to store away grain during the good years. 2
Why does it not say that the seven lean cows ate the fat ones?
Ha'Emek Davar: The plural "Paros" implies only two. The first two years of famine consumed [all that was saved] in the seven good years. Yakov's arrival in Egypt helped [to interrupt the famine] so that they would not starve. 1
Through Hashgachah, Pharaoh did not ask Yosef about this, so all attributed the early end of the famine to Yakov. Why was Egypt still selling to other countries in the second year, when they were close to running out of food? Perhaps Yosef decided to, amidst concern for his family, and even Pharaoh feared to object. He told the Egyptians 'obey Yosef's decree to circumcise. Just like he decreed that our grain rot, he could decree that we die!' (Rashi, verse 55) However, how would Yosef justify himself had the famine not ended? He himself expected it lo last five more years (45:6)! (PF)
