Genesis 40:8-18

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.

Genesis 40:8-18 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.