Genesis 40:8-18

8 They said to him, "We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it." Yosef said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me."

9 The chief butler told his dream to Yosef, and said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me,

10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters of it brought forth ripe grapes.

11 Par`oh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Par`oh's cup, and I gave the cup into Par`oh's hand."

12 Yosef said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days.

13 Within three more days, Par`oh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Par`oh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his butler.

14 But remember me when it will be well with you, and show kindness, please, to me, and make mention of me to Par`oh, and bring me out of this house.

15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon."

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Yosef, "I also was in my dream, and, behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head.

17 In the uppermost basket there was of all kinds of baked food for Par`oh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head."

18 Yosef answered, "This is the interpretation of it. The three baskets are 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.