Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 41:6

"And, behold, seven ears, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them." — Genesis 41:6 (ASV)

East wind. — In Palestine, the prevalent winds are those that blow from the west or east. The latter, coming across arid deserts, is harmful to vegetation.

In Egypt, the winds generally blow from the north or south. However, the southeast wind, called Chamsin, blowing from the deserts of Arabia, has even more disastrous effects on plants than the east wind in Palestine. Laden with fine dust, it is also harmful to human life.

Since Hebrew has words only for the four principal winds, this southeastern wind may be meant. Alternatively, as kçdim, east wind, became the usual name for any wind that burned up vegetation, the term may be employed in a general sense.