Genesis 40:1

The Cupbearer and the Baker

1 Some time later, the king’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt.

Genesis 40:1 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 40:1

And it came to pass after these things
After Joseph had been accused and cast into prison, where he had been for some time: [that] the butler of the king of Egypt and [his] baker had offended
their lord the king of Egypt;
committed some fault, at least were accused of one, which raised his displeasure at them. The Targum of Jonathan says, that they consulted to put poison into his drink and food; which, it is not improbable, considering their business and office, they might be charged with; at least it is much more probable than what Jarchi suggests, that the one put a fly into his cup, and the other a little stone or sand into his bread.

Genesis 40:1 In-Context

1 Some time later, the king’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt.

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

3 and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined.

4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time,

5 both of these men—the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning.