Genesis 40:17

17 In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

Genesis 40:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 40:17

And in the uppermost basket [there was] of all manner of
bakemeats for Pharaoh
All sorts of pastry, as tarts, pies, &c. Josephus ^F2 says, two of the baskets were full of bread, and the third had various sorts of food, such as is usually, prepared for kings: and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head;
all the three baskets were upon his head, but this seems to be the uppermost, which the birds could more easily come at; though if the baskets were full of holes, they might through them peck the bread with their bills.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F2 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 5. sect. 3.

Genesis 40:17 In-Context

15 For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.”

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: There were three baskets of white bread on my head.

17 In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

18 Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days.

19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh of your body.”