Genesis — Chapter 40

King James Version (KJV)

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Genesis 40:1 And ^Rit came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.

Genesis 40:2 And Pharaoh was ^Rwroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

Genesis 40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, ^Rthe place where Joseph was bound.

Genesis 40:4 And ^Rthe captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

Genesis 40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Genesis 40:6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, ^Rand, behold, they were sad.

Genesis 40:7 And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, ^RWherefore ^Tlook ye so sadly to day?

Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, ^RDo not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

Genesis 40:9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, ^Ra vine was before me;

Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

Genesis 40:11 And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and ^Rpressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.

Genesis 40:12 And Joseph said unto him, ^RThis is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:

Genesis 40:13 Yet ^Rwithin three days shall Pharaoh ^Tlift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

Genesis 40:14 But ^Tthink ^Ron me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

Genesis 40:15 For indeed I was ^Rstolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.

Genesis 40:16 When ^Rthe chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three ^Twhite baskets on my head:

Genesis 40:17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of ^Tbakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

Genesis 40:18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

Genesis 40:19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh ^Tlift up thy head from off thee, and shall ^Rhang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

Genesis 40:20 And it came to pass the ^Rthird day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he ^Tlifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

Genesis 40:21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he ^Rgave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:

Genesis 40:22 But ^Rhe hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Genesis 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, ^Rbut forgat him.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 40:1–8 — Two Prisoners and Their Dreams

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker are imprisoned where Joseph is bound. They each dream in one night, and Joseph tells them that interpretations belong to God.

Key Truth: Joseph gives God the credit for interpreting dreams.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 40:9–15 — The Butler’s Dream

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The butler dreams of a vine with three branches and giving Pharaoh his cup. Joseph explains that he will be restored in three days and asks him to mention Joseph to Pharaoh.

Key Truth: The interpretation foretells the butler’s restoration, while Joseph seeks release from prison.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 40:16–19 — The Baker’s Dream

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The baker dreams of three baskets on his head and birds eating the food. Joseph explains that the dream foretells the baker’s death within three days.

Key Truth: The two dreams receive different interpretations.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 40:20–23 — The Interpretations Fulfilled

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

On Pharaoh’s birthday the chief butler is restored and the chief baker is hanged, just as Joseph interpreted. The restored butler forgets Joseph.

Key Truth: The events match the interpretations, but Joseph remains forgotten in prison.

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