Genesis40
English Standard Version
1Some time , the of the of and his against their the of .
2And was his , the and the ,
3and he them in in the of the of the , in the was .
4The of the to be with them, and he them. They continued for some in .
5And they —the and the of the of , who were in the — his own , and with its own .
6When to them in the , he that they were .
7So he were with him in in his , are your ?
8They to him, We have , and there is no to them. And to them, Do belong to ? them to me.
9So the his to and to him, In my was a ,
10and on the there were . As soon as it , its , and the into .
11 was in my , and I the and them into and the in .
12Then to him, is its : the are .
13 will lift your and you to your , and you shall in his as , when you were his .
14 me, when it is with you, and me the to me to , and so get me of .
15For I was indeed out of the of the , and I have that they should me into the .
16When the that the was , he to , I had a : were on my ,
17and in the there were of for , but the were it out of the my .
18And and , is its : the are .
19In will lift your — you!—and you on a . And the will the from you.
20On the , which was , he a for his and the of the and the head of the his .
21He the to his , and he the in .
22But he the , as had to them.
23Yet the did , but him.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 40.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh in prison, Their dreams interpreted by Joseph. (1–19). The ingratitude of the chief butler. (20–23).
vv1-19
It was not so much the prison that made the butler and baker sad, as their dreams. God has more ways than one to sadden the spirits. Joseph had compassion towards them. Let us be concerned for the sadness of our brethren's countenances. It is often a relief to those that are in trouble to be noticed. Also learn to look into the causes of our own sorrow. Is there a good reason? Is there not comfort sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Joseph was careful to ascribe the glory to God. The chief butler's dream foretold his advancement. The chief baker's dream his death. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought the baker no better tidings. And thus ministers are but interpreters; they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is: if they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Joseph does not reflect upon his brethren that sold him; nor does he reflect on the wrong done him by his mistress and his master, but mildly states his own innocence. When we are called on to clear ourselves, we should carefully avoid, as much as may be, speaking ill of others. Let us be content to prove ourselves innocent, and not upbraid others with their guilt.
vv20-23
Joseph's interpretation of the dreams came to pass on the very day fixed. On Pharaoh's birth-day, all his servants attended him, and then the cases of these two came to be looked into. We may all profitably take notice of our birth-days, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the sinfulness of our lives, and expectation of the day of our death, as better than the day of our birth. But it seems strange that worldly people, who are so fond of living here, should rejoice at the end of one year after another of their short span of life. A Christian has cause to rejoice that he was born, also that he comes nearer to the end of his sin and sorrow, and nearer to his everlasting happiness. The chief butler remembered not Joseph, but forgot him. Joseph had deserved well at his hands, yet he forgot him. We must not think it strange, if in this world we have hatred shown us for our love, and slights for our kindness. See how apt those who are themselves at ease are to forget others in distress. Joseph learned by his disappointment to trust in God only. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. Let us not forget the sufferings, promises, and love of our Redeemer. We blame the chief butler's ingratitude to Joseph, yet we ourselves act much more ungratefully to the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours; he mediated with the King of Kings for us; yet we forget him, though often reminded of him, and though we have promised never to forget him. Thus ill do we requite Him, like foolish people and unwise.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
שָׁקָה: to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to
מֶלֶךְ: a king
מִצְרַיִם: Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
אָפָה: to cook, especially to bake
חָטָא: properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
אָדוֹן: sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
פַּרְעֹה: Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings
קָצַף: to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage
Cross References
Genesis 40Pharaoh's spirit is similarly troubled by dreams with no earthly interpreter found in Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Establishes the continuity of Joseph's confinement in the captain's house of ward.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Literal use of 'lift up the head' to denote restoration of a prisoner's dignity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Joseph repeats his core conviction to Pharaoh that interpretations belong solely to God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poetic confirmation of the physical severity of Joseph's initial binding in the dungeon.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Grounds Joseph's statement of being 'stolen' in the actual selling by his brothers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Mosaic law regarding hanging the body on a tree, matching the Egyptian execution style.
Supported by JFB
Connects the theme of prophetic dreams, recalling Joseph's own dreams of future rule.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Pharaoh's birthday feast and execution of a prisoner with Herod's tragic birthday banquet.
Supported by JFB
Reflects the prolonged trial of Joseph's faith while he was forgotten in prison.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illuminates the high rank, access, and responsibility of the king's cupbearer.
Daniel, like Joseph, credits God in heaven with revealing mysteries to kings.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
An echo of Joseph's compassionate inquiry of sadness, mirroring Jesus' question to disciples.
Contrasts the butler forgetting Joseph with Ahasuerus discovering and remembering Mordecai's service.