Genesis 40:1-6

Joseph interprets dreams in prison

1 Some time later, both the wine steward and the baker for Egypt's king offended their master, the king of Egypt.

2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief wine steward and the chief baker,

3 and he put them under arrest with the commander of the royal guard in the same jail where Joseph was imprisoned.

4 The commander of the royal guard assigned Joseph to assist them. After they had been under arrest for some time,

5 both of them—the wine steward and the baker for Egypt's king who were imprisoned in the jail—had dreams one night, and each man's dream had its own meaning.

6 When Joseph met them in the morning, he saw that they were upset.

Genesis 40:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

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.