seven daughters; the rank ears of corn meant that Pharaoh
would conquer seven countries, and the blasted ears, that
seven provinces would rebel against him.[162] About the ears
of corn they did not all agree. Some thought the good ears
stood for seven cities to be built by Pharaoh, and the seven
withered ears indicated that these same cities would be
destroyed at the end of his reign.

Sagacious as he was, Pharaoh knew that none of these
explanations hit the nail on the head. He issued a decree
summoning all interpreters of dreams to appear before him
on pain of death, and he held out great rewards and distinctions
to the one who should succeed in finding the true
meaning of his dreams. In obedience to his summons, all
the wise men appeared, the magicians and the sacred scribes