What does Genesis 40:11 mean?
A man who was cupbearer to Egypt's ruler has been imprisoned for an unexplained crime (Genesis 40:1–3). Also in this prison is Joseph (Genesis 39:11–15; 40:4), though his charge is false. Both the cupbearer and another prisoner have experienced vivid, impactful dreams on the same night. In distress, they speak to Joseph. He promises that he can pass along God's interpretation of the dreams (Genesis 40:5–8).The cupbearer's dream included a vine with three branches rapidly growing until it produced ripe grapes (Genesis 40:9–10). The man saw himself pressing the grapes—squeezing out their juice—into Pharaoh's cup and placing the cup in Pharaoh's hand. In whole, the dream sounds very much like what the cupbearer may have done in his former position with the king. As it turns out, this former role is also his future destiny (Genesis 40:12–13).