Gênesis 40

José Interpreta os Sonhos de Dois Prisioneiros

1 Algum tempo depois, o copeiro e o padeiro do rei do Egito fizeram uma ofensa ao seu senhor, o rei do Egito.

2 O faraó irou-se com os dois oficiais, o chefe dos copeiros e o chefe dos padeiros,

3 e mandou prendê-los na casa do capitão da guarda, na prisão em que José estava.

4 O capitão da guarda os deixou aos cuidados de José, que os servia.Depois de certo tempo,

5 o copeiro e o padeiro do rei do Egito, que estavam na prisão, sonharam. Cada um teve um sonho, ambos na mesma noite, e cada sonho tinha a sua própria interpretação.

6 Quando José foi vê-los na manhã seguinte, notou que estavam abatidos.

7 Por isso perguntou aos oficiais do faraó, que também estavam presos na casa do seu senhor: “Por que hoje vocês estão com o semblante triste?”

8 Eles responderam: “Tivemos sonhos, mas não há quem os interprete”.Disse-lhes José: “Não são de Deus as interpretações? Contem-me os sonhos”.

9 Então o chefe dos copeiros contou o seu sonho a José: “Em meu sonho vi diante de mim uma videira,

10 com três ramos. Ela brotou, floresceu e deu uvas que amadureciam em cachos.

11 A taça do faraó estava em minha mão. Peguei as uvas, e as espremi na taça do faraó, e a entreguei em sua mão”.

12 Disse-lhe José: “Esta é a interpretação: os três ramos são três dias.

13 Dentro de três dias o faraó vai exaltá-lo e restaurá-lo à sua posição, e você servirá a taça na mão dele, como costumava fazer quando era seu copeiro.

14 Quando tudo estiver indo bem com você, lembre-se de mim e seja bondoso comigo; fale de mim ao faraó e tire-me desta prisão,

15 pois fui trazido à força da terra dos hebreus, e também aqui nada fiz para ser jogado neste calabouço”.

16 Ouvindo o chefe dos padeiros essa interpretação favorável, disse a José: “Eu também tive um sonho: sobre a minha cabeça havia três cestas de pão branco.

17 Na cesta de cima havia todo tipo de pães e doces que o faraó aprecia, mas as aves vinham comer da cesta que eu trazia na cabeça”.

18 E disse José: “Esta é a interpretação: as três cestas são três dias.

19 Dentro de três dias o faraó vai decapitá-lo e pendurá-lo numa árvore.^[a] E as aves comerão a sua carne”.

20 Três dias depois era o aniversário do faraó, e ele ofereceu um banquete a todos os seus conselheiros. Na presença deles reapresentou o chefe dos copeiros e o chefe dos padeiros;

21 restaurou à sua posição o chefe dos copeiros, de modo que ele voltou a ser aquele que servia a taça do faraó,

22 mas ao chefe dos padeiros mandou enforcar,^[b] como José lhes dissera em sua interpretação.

23 O chefe dos copeiros, porém, não se lembrou de José; ao contrário, esqueceu-se 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ou "empalar você numa estaca"
• [b]. Ou "empalar"

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.