Gênesis 40

1 Depois destas coisas o copeiro do rei do Egito e o seu padeiro ofenderam o seu senhor, o rei do Egito.

2 Pelo que se indignou Faraó contra os seus dois oficiais, contra o copeiro-mor e contra o padeiro-mor;

3 e mandou detê-los na casa do capitão da guarda, no cárcere onde José estava preso;

4 e o capitão da guarda pô-los a cargo de José, que os servia. Assim estiveram por algum tempo em detenção.

5 Ora, tiveram ambos um sonho, cada um seu sonho na mesma noite, cada um conforme a interpretação do seu sonho, o copeiro e o padeiro do rei do Egito, que se achavam presos no cárcere:

6 Quando José veio a eles pela manhã, viu que estavam perturbados:

7 Perguntou, pois, a esses oficiais de Faraó, que com ele estavam no cárcere da casa de seu senhor, dizendo: Por que estão os vossos semblantes tão tristes hoje?

8 Responderam-lhe: Tivemos um sonho e ninguém há que o interprete. Pelo que lhes disse José: Porventura não pertencem a Deus as interpretações? Contai-mo, peço-vos.

9 Então contou o copeiro-mor o seu sonho a José, dizendo-lhe: Eis que em meu sonho havia uma vide diante de mim,

10 e na vide três sarmentos; e, tendo a vide brotado, saíam as suas flores, e os seus cachos produziam uvas maduras.

11 O copo de Faraó estava na minha mão; e, tomando as uvas, eu as espremia no copo de Faraó e entregava o copo na mão de Faraó.

12 Então disse-lhe José: Esta é a sua interpretação: Os três sarmentos são três dias;

13 dentro de três dias Faraó levantará a tua cabeça, e te restaurará ao teu cargo; e darás o copo de Faraó na sua mão, conforme o costume antigo, quando eras seu copeiro.

14 Mas lembra-te de mim, quando te for bem; usa, peço-te, de compaixão para comigo e faze menção de mim a Faraó e tira-me desta casa;

15 porque, na verdade, fui roubado da terra dos hebreus; e aqui também nada tenho feito para que me pusessem na masmorra.

16 Quando o padeiro-mor viu que a interpretação era boa, disse a José: Eu também sonhei, e eis que três cestos de pão branco estavam sobre a minha cabeça.

17 E no cesto mais alto havia para Faraó manjares de todas as qualidades que fazem os padeiros; e as aves os comiam do cesto que estava sobre a minha cabeça.

18 Então respondeu José: Esta é a interpretação do sonho: Os três cestos são três dias;

19 dentro de três dias tirará Faraó a tua cabeça, e te pendurará num madeiro, e as aves comerão a tua carne de sobre ti.

20 E aconteceu ao terceiro dia, o dia natalício de Faraó, que este deu um banquete a todos os seus servos; e levantou a cabeça do copeiro-mor, e a cabeça do padeiro-mor no meio dos seus servos;

21 e restaurou o copeiro-mor ao seu cargo de copeiro, e este deu o copo na mão de Faraó;

22 mas ao padeiro-mor enforcou, como José lhes havia interpretado.

23 O copeiro-mor, porém, não se lembrou de José, antes se esqueceu dele.

Gênesis 40 Commentary

Chapter 40

The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh in prison, Their dreams interpreted by Joseph. (1-19) The ingratitude of the chief butler. (20-23)

Verses 1-19 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.

Verses 20-23 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 40

The history of this chapter is, the imprisonment of two of Pharaoh's officers, his chief butler and chief baker, who by the captain of the guard were made the charge of Joseph, Ge 40:1-4; they both dreamed in prison, which made them sad; Joseph taking notice of their sadness, asked the reason of it, and encouraged them to tell him their dreams, Ge 40:5-8; the chief butler told his dream of the vine and three branches, which Joseph interpreted of his restoration to his office within three days, and desired him to remember him unto Pharaoh when he stood before him, telling him his case, Ge 40:9-15; then the chief baker told his dream of three white baskets of food on his head, which the birds ate, and this Joseph interpreted of his being hanged within three days, Ge 40:16-19; and the events answered to the interpretation, but Joseph was forgot by the chief butler, Ge 40:20-23.