GENESIS CHAPTER FORTY OVERVIEW
Overall what is happening in this chapter is that while in prison, Joseph interprets two dreams.
Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 40
The chief butler and chief baker of Pharaoh relate their dreams to Joseph. He interprets the dreams, which after three days are fulfilled according to his interpretation.
Joseph Benson’s Commentary (1857) – Genesis 40
In this chapter things are working toward Joseph’s advancement.
(1) Two of Pharaoh’s servants are committed to prison, and there, to Joseph’s care, and so become witnesses of his extraordinary conduct, (Genesis 40:1-4).
(2) They dreamed each of them a dream, which Joseph interpreted, and they verified the interpretation, (Genesis 40:20-22).
(3) Joseph recommends his case to one of them, whose preferment he foresaw, (Genesis 40:14-15); but in vain, (Genesis 40:23).
John Gill (1746) – 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, (Genesis 40:1); 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, (Genesis 40:5); 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, (Genesis 40:9); 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, (Genesis 40:16); and the events answered to the interpretation, but Joseph was forgot by the chief butler, (Genesis 40:20).
Daniel Whedon (1889) – Genesis 40
While the narrative of this chapter contains little that needs explanation, the reader should note the following:
1) The manifold service and attendance of an Oriental despot.
2) His many fears, suspicions, and dangers.
3) The insecurity of the lives of his subjects, liable at any moment to be cut off in a fit of anger or caprice.
4) The occasional impressiveness and significance of dreams.
5) The righteous useful in prison.
6) Culpable forgetfulness of kindness.
Adam Clarke (1826) – Genesis 40
Pharaoh’s chief butler and his chief baker, having offended their lord, are put in prison, (Genesis 40:1-3). The captain of the guard gives them into the care of Joseph, (Genesis 40:4). Each of them has a dream, (Genesis 40:5). Joseph, seeing them sad, questions them on the subject, (Genesis 40:6-7). Their answer, (Genesis 40:8). The chief butler tells his dream, (Genesis 40:9-11). Joseph interprets it, (Genesis 40:12-13). Gives a slight sketch of his history to the chief butler, and begs him to think upon him when restored to his office, (Genesis 40:14-15). The chief baker tells his dream, (Genesis 40:16-17). Joseph interprets this also, (Genesis 40:18-19). Both dreams are fulfilled according to the interpretation, the chief butler being restored to his office, and the chief baker hanged, (Genesis 40:20-22). The chief butler makes no interest for Joseph, (Genesis 40:23).
Thomas Constable (2012) – Genesis 40
When Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker had disturbing dreams in prison, Joseph foretold the cupbearer's restoration and the baker's execution, but Joseph remained in prison because the cupbearer forgot him.
The cupbearer and baker were responsible for Pharaoh's drink and food (Genesis 40:1-4). Nehemiah occupied a similar position to this cupbearer later in the Persian court (cf. Nehemiah 1:11). Perhaps both were in prison because someone had tried to poison Pharaoh, or so it seemed, and Pharaoh could not determine immediately which of the two men was responsible.
The place of confinement was the state prison: a round, wall-enclosed building probably attached to Potiphar's house, as was customary in Egypt. The chief jailer (Genesis 39:21-23) was evidently in charge of the prison, under Potiphar's authority. Potiphar gave Joseph the job of servicing Pharaoh's two important prisoners.
"Genuine loyalty to God will always express itself in absolute faithfulness in every-day duty."
The Egyptians and the Babylonians regarded dreams as very significant predictions (Genesis 40:5-8).
"There were men who had learned the technique of interpreting dreams, and there was a considerable literature on the subject."
The dreams of the cupbearer and baker were revelations from God. Realizing that God had given him the ability to interpret their divine revelations, Joseph invited the two prisoners to relate their dreams to him. He was careful, however, to give God the glory for his interpretative gift (Genesis 40:8). Daniel also had this ability and likewise gave God the credit (cf. Daniel 2:28).
The baker would not simply suffer execution, but his corpse would then be impaled and publicly exposed. The Egyptians did this to prevent one's spirit from resting in the afterlife.
The significance of this chapter lies in Joseph's God-given ability to interpret dreams. This gift and Joseph's use of it on this occasion prepared the way for Pharaoh calling for Joseph to interpret his dreams two years later and exalting him in the government.
"Trials may be viewed from two standpoints, and it will make all the difference to our spiritual life and peace which of these two points of view we take. From the human side Joseph's suffering was due to injustice on the part of Potiphar, and ingratitude on the part of the butler. From the Divine side these years were permitted for the purpose of training and preparing Joseph for the great work that lay before him. If we look only at the human side of trial we shall become discouraged, and it may be irritated and angered, but as we turn to look at it from the Divine side we shall see God in everything and all things working together for our good."
Those who faithfully use the abilities that God has given them, even in discouraging circumstances, demonstrate unwavering faith in God's promises to them.
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 40
In this chapter things are working, though slowly, towards Joseph's advancement:
I. Two of Pharaoh's servants are committed to prison, and there to Joseph's care, and so become witnesses of his extraordinary conduct (Genesis 40:1-4).
II. They dreamed each of them a dream, which Joseph interpreted (Genesis 40:5-19), and the event verified the interpretation (Genesis 40:20-22), and so they became witnesses of his extraordinary skill.
III. Joseph recommends his case to one of them, whose preferment he foresaw (Genesis 40:14-15), but in vain (Genesis 40:23).
KEY VERSE
Genesis 40:23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
KEY EVENT
Joseph interprets two dreams and both come to pass.
KEY THOUGHT
The cupbearer forgot Joseph for two years – yet the stage was set.
KEY CROSS-REFERENCE
Job 33:15-16 "In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction,”
KEY QUOTE
“Ministers are but interpreters, they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is; if therefore they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Bad dreams cannot expect a good interpretation.” Matthew Henry
