Genesis 40

1 Und es begab sich darnach, daß sich der Schenke des Königs in Ägypten und der Bäcker versündigten an ihrem Herrn, dem König von Ägypten.

2 Und Pharao ward zornig über seine beiden Kämmerer, über den Amtmann über die Schenken und über den Amtmann über die Bäcker,

3 und ließ sie setzen in des Hauptmanns Haus ins Gefängnis, da Joseph lag.

4 Und der Hauptmann setzte Joseph über sie, daß er ihnen diente; und sie saßen etliche Tage im Gefängnis. {~}

5 Und es träumte ihnen beiden, dem Schenken und dem Bäcker des Königs von Ägypten, in einer Nacht einem jeglichen ein eigener Traum; und eines jeglichen Traum hatte seine Bedeutung. {~} {~} {~} {~}

6 Da nun des Morgens Joseph zu ihnen hereinkam und sah, daß sie traurig waren,

7 fragte er sie und sprach: Warum seid ihr heute so traurig? {~} {~} {~} {~} {~}

8 Sie antworteten: Es hat uns geträumt, und wir haben niemand, der es uns auslege. Joseph sprach: Auslegen gehört Gott zu; doch erzählt mir's. {~}

9 Da erzählte der oberste Schenke seinen Traum Joseph und sprach zu ihm: Mir hat geträumt, daß ein Weinstock vor mir wäre,

10 der hatte drei Reben, und er grünte, wuchs und blühte, und seine Trauben wurden reif; {~}

11 und ich hatte den Becher Pharaos in meiner Hand und nahm die Beeren und zerdrückte sie in den Becher und gab den Becher Pharao in die Hand.

12 Joseph sprach zu ihm: Das ist seine Deutung. Drei Reben sind drei Tage.

13 ber drei Tage wird Pharao dein Haupt erheben und dich wieder an dein Amt stellen, daß du ihm den Becher in die Hand gebest nach der vorigen Weise, da du sein Schenke warst.

14 Aber gedenke meiner, wenn dir's wohl geht, und tue Barmherzigkeit an mir, daß du Pharao erinnerst, daß er mich aus diesem Hause führe.

15 Denn ich bin aus dem Lande der Hebräer heimlich gestohlen; dazu habe ich auch allhier nichts getan, daß sie mich eingesetzt haben.

16 Da der oberste Bäcker sah, daß die Deutung gut war, sprach er zu Joseph: Mir hat auch geträumt, ich trüge drei weiße Körbe auf meinem Haupt

17 und im obersten Korbe allerlei gebackene Speise für den Pharao; und die Vögel aßen aus dem Korbe auf meinem Haupt. {~} {~}

18 Joseph antwortete und sprach: Das ist seine Deutung. Drei Körbe sind drei Tage;

19 und nach drei Tagen wird dir Pharao dein Haupt erheben und dich an den Galgen hängen, und die Vögel werden dein Fleisch von dir essen.

20 Und es geschah des dritten Tages, da beging Pharao seinen Jahrestag; und er machte eine Mahlzeit allen seinen Knechten und erhob das Haupt des obersten Schenken und das Haupt des obersten Bäckers unter den Knechten,

21 und setzte den obersten Schenken wieder in sein Schenkamt, daß er den Becher reicht in Pharaos Hand;

22 aber den obersten Bäcker ließ er henken, wie ihnen Joseph gedeutet hatte.

23 Aber der oberste Schenke gedachte nicht an Joseph, sondern vergaß ihn.

Genesis 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.