Bible Commentaries
Genesis 40

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 40:1, The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh being imprisoned, Joseph is charged with them; Genesis 40:5, He interprets their dreams; Genesis 40:20, They are accomplished according to his interpretation; Genesis 40:23, The ingratitude of the butler, in forgetting Joseph.

Verse 1

it came: Genesis 39:20-23, Esther 6:1

the butler: Mashkeh, from shakah, to give drink, is the same as saky among the Arabians and Persians, and signifies a cup-bearer. Genesis 40:13, Nehemiah 1:11, Nehemiah 2:1, Nehemiah 2:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:12 - he dreamed Genesis 40:16 - the chief Genesis 41:9 - I do remember Genesis 46:19 - Joseph

Verse 2

wroth: Psalms 76:10, Proverbs 16:14, Proverbs 19:12, Proverbs 19:19, Proverbs 27:4, Acts 12:20

the chief of the butlers: 1 Chronicles 27:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:15 - princes Genesis 40:16 - the chief Genesis 41:10 - Pharaoh Nehemiah 1:11 - For I was

Verse 3

the place: Genesis 39:20, Genesis 39:23

where Joseph was bound: Or, "where Joseph was confined," for he doubtless had his personal liberty. This place, we learn from the preceding chapter - Genesis 39:20, was the king's prison. All the officers in the employment of the ancient kings of Egypt, according to Diodorus Siculus, were taken from the most illustrious families of the priesthood in the country; no slave or common person being ever permitted to serve in the presence of the king. As these persons were of the most noble families, it is natural to expect they would be put, when accused, into the state prison.

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:21 - gave him Genesis 39:22 - committed Genesis 41:10 - Pharaoh Genesis 42:19 - house 2 Samuel 20:3 - ward John 18:12 - bound Acts 12:10 - the first

Verse 4

the captain: Genesis 37:36, Genesis 39:1, Genesis 39:21-23, Psalms 37:5

a season: Yamim, literally days; how long is uncertain, though the word may signify, as many suppose, a complete year - see note on Genesis 4:3, and see note on Genesis 24:55, and as Pharaoh called them to an account on his birthday - Genesis 40:20, calmet supposes they had offended on the preceding birthday, and thus had been one whole year in prison.

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:22 - committed Genesis 39:23 - keeper Genesis 42:17 - ward

Verse 5

am 2287, bc 1717, Genesis 40:8, Genesis 12:1-7, Genesis 20:3, Genesis 37:5-10, Genesis 41:1-7, Genesis 41:11, Numbers 12:6, Judges 7:13, Judges 7:14, Esther 6:1, Job 33:15-17, Daniel 2:1-3, Daniel 4:5, Daniel 4:9, Daniel 4:19, Daniel 7:1 - Daniel 8:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:24 - dream Job 7:14 - thou scarest

Verse 6

behold: Genesis 40:8, Genesis 41:8, Daniel 2:1-3, Daniel 4:5, Daniel 5:6, Daniel 7:28, Daniel 8:27

Verse 7

Wherefore: Judges 18:24, 1 Samuel 1:8, 2 Samuel 13:4, Nehemiah 2:2, Luke 24:17

look ye so sadly to day: Heb. are your faces evil

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:17 - ward Daniel 7:15 - the visions

Verse 8

Do not: etc. Genesis 41:15, Genesis 41:16, Job 33:15, Job 33:16, Psalms 25:14, Isaiah 8:19, Daniel 2:11, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 4:8, Daniel 5:11-15, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:11, Amos 3:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:3 - a dream Genesis 40:5 - General Genesis 40:6 - behold Genesis 40:22 - he hanged Genesis 41:8 - but there Numbers 20:10 - we fetch Judges 7:15 - interpretation thereof Ecclesiastes 8:1 - who knoweth Daniel 2:3 - General Daniel 5:16 - make Daniel 7:15 - the visions Acts 3:12 - or

Verse 9

a vine: Genesis 37:5-10, Judges 7:13-15, Daniel 2:31, Daniel 4:8, Daniel 4:10-18

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 1:11 - For I was Daniel 4:9 - tell

Verse 10

Reciprocal: Numbers 17:8 - budded Mark 6:16 - It is

Verse 11

And I took: etc. From this we find that wine anciently was the mere expressed juice of the grape, without fermentation. The saky, or cup-bearer, took the bunch, pressed the juice into the cup, and instantly delivered it to his master.

pressed: Genesis 49:11, Leviticus 10:9, Proverbs 3:10

hand: Genesis 40:21, 1 Kings 10:5, 2 Chronicles 9:4, Nehemiah 1:11, Nehemiah 2:1

Reciprocal: Mark 6:16 - It is

Verse 12

This: Genesis 40:18, Genesis 41:12, Genesis 41:25, Genesis 41:26, Judges 7:14, Daniel 2:36-45, Daniel 4:19-33

The three: Genesis 41:26, Judges 7:14, Matthew 26:26, 1 Corinthians 10:4, Galatians 4:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:13 - me he restored

Verse 13

within: Genesis 7:4

shall: Genesis 40:20-22, 2 Kings 25:27, Psalms 3:3, Jeremiah 52:31

lift up thine head: or, reckon, Genesis 40:19, *marg. Genesis 40:20, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:21 - gave the cup Psalms 27:6 - And

Verse 14

think on me: Heb. remember me with thee

on me: 1 Samuel 25:31, Luke 23:42, 1 Corinthians 7:21

show: Joshua 2:12, 1 Samuel 20:14, 1 Samuel 20:15, 2 Samuel 9:1, 1 Kings 2:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:9 - I do remember Ruth 3:1 - may be Nehemiah 5:19 - Think Acts 23:18 - Paul Ephesians 1:16 - making Hebrews 13:3 - them that

Verse 15

stolen: Genesis 37:28, Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 24:7, 1 Timothy 1:10

the Hebrews: Genesis 14:13, Genesis 41:12

done: Genesis 39:8-12, Genesis 39:20, 1 Samuel 24:11, Psalms 59:3, Psalms 59:4, Daniel 6:22, John 10:32, John 15:25, Acts 24:12-21, Acts 25:10, Acts 25:11, 1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 3:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:14 - an Hebrew Psalms 105:18 - Whose Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew Jeremiah 37:16 - into the dungeon Acts 23:18 - Paul Acts 25:8 - Neither Acts 28:17 - though Romans 7:14 - sold Philippians 3:5 - an Hebrews 13:3 - them that

Verse 16

the chief: Genesis 40:1, Genesis 40:2

white baskets: or, baskets full of holes

Verse 17

bakemeats: Heb. meat of Pharaoh, the work of a baker, or cook, Genesis 49:20, 1 Chronicles 12:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:19 - and the birds

Verse 18

Genesis 40:12, Genesis 41:26, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Corinthians 11:24

Verse 19

within: Genesis 40:13

lift up thy head from off thee: or, reckon thee and take thy office from thee

hang thee: Genesis 40:22, Genesis 41:13, Deuteronomy 21:22, Deuteronomy 21:23, Joshua 8:29, Joshua 10:26, 2 Samuel 21:6, Proverbs 30:17, Galatians 3:13

and the birds: Genesis 40:17, 1 Samuel 17:44, 1 Samuel 17:46, 2 Samuel 21:10, Ezekiel 39:4, Acts 20:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:20 - third day Esther 2:23 - hanged Esther 6:13 - If Mordecai

Verse 20

third day: Genesis 40:13, Genesis 40:19

birthday: Genesis 21:8, Esther 1:3, Job 3:1, Matthew 14:6, Mark 6:21

lifted up: or, reckoned, Genesis 40:13, Genesis 40:19, *marg. 2 Kings 25:27, Matthew 18:23-25, Matthew 25:19, Luke 16:1, Luke 16:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:4 - a season Genesis 41:13 - me he restored 1 Kings 3:15 - a feast Psalms 27:6 - And Jeremiah 52:31 - lifted up Daniel 5:1 - made Hosea 7:5 - the day

Verse 21

gave the cup: Genesis 40:13, Nehemiah 2:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:11 - hand Nehemiah 1:11 - For I was

Verse 22

he hanged: Genesis 40:8, Genesis 40:19, Genesis 41:11-13, Genesis 41:16, Jeremiah 23:28, Daniel 2:19-23, Daniel 2:30, Daniel 5:12, Acts 5:30

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Esther 2:23 - hanged

Verse 23

but forgat him: Job 19:14, Psalms 31:12, Psalms 105:19, Ecclesiastes 9:15, Ecclesiastes 9:16, Amos 6:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:9 - I do remember Nehemiah 1:11 - For I was Esther 6:3 - There is nothing Hebrews 13:3 - them that