Genesis 40

1 After these things happened, two of the king's officers displeased the king -- the man who served wine to the king and the king's baker.

2 The king became angry with his officer who served him wine and his baker,

3 so he put them in the prison of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was kept.

4 The captain of the guard put the two prisoners in Joseph's care, and they stayed in prison for some time.

5 One night both the king's officer who served him wine and the baker had a dream. Each had his own dream with its own meaning.

6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw they were worried.

7 He asked the king's officers who were with him, "Why do you look so unhappy today?"

8 The two men answered, "We both had dreams last night, but no one can explain their meaning to us." Joseph said to them, "God is the only One who can explain the meaning of dreams. Tell me your dreams."

9 So the man who served wine to the king told Joseph his dream. He said, "I dreamed I saw a vine, and

10 on the vine were three branches. I watched the branches bud and blossom, and then the grapes ripened.

11 I was holding the king's cup, so I took the grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I gave it to the king."

12 Then Joseph said, "I will explain the dream to you. The three branches stand for three days.

13 Before the end of three days the king will free you, and he will allow you to return to your work. You will serve the king his wine just as you did before.

14 But when you are free, remember me. Be kind to me, and tell the king about me so I can get out of this prison.

15 I was taken by force from the land of the Hebrews, and I have done nothing here to deserve being put in prison."

16 The baker saw that Joseph's explanation of the dream was good, so he said to him, "I also had a dream. I dreamed there were three bread baskets on my head.

17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked food for the king, but the birds were eating this food out of the basket on my head."

18 Joseph answered, "I will tell you what the dream means. The three baskets stand for three days.

19 Before the end of three days, the king will cut off your head! He will hang your body on a pole, and the birds will eat your flesh."

20 Three days later, on his birthday, the king gave a feast for all his officers. In front of his officers, he released from prison the chief officer who served his wine and the chief baker.

21 The king gave his chief officer who served wine his old position, and once again he put the king's cup of wine into the king's hand.

22 But the king hanged the baker on a pole. Everything happened just as Joseph had said it would,

23 but the officer who served wine did not remember Joseph. He forgot all about him.

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.