Genesis 40:8-18

8 They said, "We dreamed dreams and there's no one to interpret them." Joseph said, "Don't interpretations come from God? Tell me the dreams."

9 First the head cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: "In my dream there was a vine in front of me

10 with three branches on it: It budded, blossomed, and the clusters ripened into grapes.

11 I was holding Pharaoh's cup; I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and gave the cup to Pharaoh."

12 Joseph said, "Here's the meaning. The three branches are three days.

13 Within three days, Pharaoh will get you out of here and put you back to your old work - you'll be giving Pharaoh his cup just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.

14 Only remember me when things are going well with you again - tell Pharaoh about me and get me out of this place.

15 I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews. And since I've been here, I've done nothing to deserve being put in this hole."

16 When the head baker saw how well Joseph's interpretation turned out, he spoke up: "My dream went like this: I saw three wicker baskets on my head;

17 the top basket had assorted pastries from the bakery and birds were picking at them from the basket on my head."

18 Joseph said, "This is the interpretation: 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.