Genesis 40:5-8

5 Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail *, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation.
6 When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected.
7 He asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in confinement in his master's house, "1Why are your faces so sad today?"
8 Then they said to him, "2We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it." Then Joseph said to them, "3Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please."

Genesis 40:5-8 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.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Nehemiah 2:2
  • 2. Genesis 41:15
  • 3. Genesis 41:16; Daniel 2:27, 28

Footnotes 4

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