1 And it came to pass after these things, [that] the butler of the king of Egypt and [his] baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two [of] his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph [was] bound.
4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which [were] bound in the prison.
6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they [were] sad.
7 And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that [were] with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye [so] sadly to day?
8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.
9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine [was] before me;
10 And in the vine [were] three branches: and it [was] as though it budded, [and] her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
11 And Pharaoh’s cup [was] in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.
12 And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days:
13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also [was] in my dream, and, behold, [I had] three white baskets on my head:
17 And in the uppermost basket [there was] of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
18 And Joseph answered and said, This [is] the interpretation thereof: The three baskets [are] three days:
19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
20 And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:
22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
Summary of Genesis Chapter 40
Genesis Chapter 40 narrates the experiences of Joseph while he is imprisoned in Egypt. This chapter highlights the themes of dreams, interpretation, and divine providence. It introduces two key characters, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, who share their dreams with Joseph, leading to significant developments in the narrative.
Key Characters
- Joseph: The protagonist who is wrongfully imprisoned but remains faithful and interprets dreams.
- Chief Cupbearer: The royal servant who is imprisoned alongside Joseph and has a dream interpreted by him.
- Chief Baker: Another royal servant who shares his dream with Joseph, leading to a contrasting interpretation.
- Pharaoh: The ruler of Egypt, though not directly present in this chapter, his decisions will be influenced by the events that unfold.
Plot Overview
- Imprisonment of the Cupbearer and Baker: The chapter opens with the chief cupbearer and chief baker being imprisoned in the same facility as Joseph, indicating a shared fate among those who have fallen out of favor with Pharaoh.
- Dreams of the Cupbearer and Baker: Both the cupbearer and the baker have troubling dreams on the same night, which they cannot interpret. This serves as a catalyst for the events that follow.
- Joseph’s Role as Interpreter: Joseph, noticing their distress, offers to interpret their dreams, demonstrating his ability and his reliance on God for wisdom.
- Interpretation of the Cupbearer’s Dream: Joseph interprets the cupbearer’s dream favorably, predicting his reinstatement to his position within three days.
- Interpretation of the Baker’s Dream: In contrast, the baker’s dream is interpreted as a sign of his impending execution, also to occur within three days.
- Joseph’s Request: Before the cupbearer is reinstated, Joseph asks him to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh, hoping for a chance at freedom.
- Fulfillment of the Dreams: The chapter concludes with the fulfillment of the cupbearer’s dream, who is restored to his position, while the baker is executed, highlighting the accuracy of Joseph’s interpretations.
Thematic Analysis
- Divine Providence: The chapter illustrates how God’s hand is at work in Joseph’s life, even in prison. Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams signifies his connection to divine insight.
- Hope and Despair: The contrasting fates of the cupbearer and the baker reflect themes of hope and despair, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the importance of faith.
- Faithfulness in Trials: Joseph’s character shines through as he remains faithful and helpful to others despite his own suffering, showcasing his integrity and resilience.
- Dreams and Their Significance: Dreams play a crucial role in the narrative, serving as a means of communication from God and a vehicle for Joseph’s rise from obscurity.
Literary Devices
- Symbolism: Dreams symbolize deeper truths and future events, serving as a narrative device that propels the story forward.
- Foreshadowing: The outcomes of the cupbearer and baker’s dreams foreshadow Joseph’s eventual rise to power and the unfolding of God’s plan for him.
- Dialogue: The conversations between Joseph and the two servants provide insight into their characters and the emotional weight of their situations.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 40 serves as a pivotal moment in Joseph’s story, showcasing his gift of dream interpretation and the unfolding of God’s plan through seemingly dire circumstances. The chapter emphasizes themes of hope, divine providence, and the importance of remaining faithful in adversity, setting the stage for Joseph’s eventual rise to prominence in Egypt.
