What does Genesis 40:12 mean?
Joseph is falsely imprisoned (Genesis 39:11–15), but his integrity and skill have not gone unnoticed (Genesis 39:21–23). While languishing in jail, two other prisoners arrived: the cupbearer and baker of Egypt's ruler, the Pharaoh (Genesis 40:1–3). Given some sort of caretaker's role, Joseph noticed the men's distress the morning after they both had vivid, prophetic dreams (Genesis 40:5–6). He reassured them that God could provide an interpretation, offering to pass along God's wisdom (Genesis 40:7–8). The cupbearer's dream involved seeing a three-branched vine rapidly grow into ripened grapes. He then pressed the grapes and gave the results to Pharaoh (Genesis 40:9–11).In Scripture, numbers seen in dreams often contain some specific significance. This will feature in dreams later in Joseph's life, as well (Genesis 41:1–8). Joseph begins to interpret the cupbearer's dream by nothing that the three branches represent three days. This will lead to a happy prediction for the jailed man (Genesis 40:13).
Genesis 40:1–23 takes place during Joseph's years in a prison, or dungeon, within the house of the captain of the guard. Two men join him there for a time and experience troubling, prophetic dreams. Joseph's interpretation reveals that the former cupbearer to Pharaoh will be restored to his old job. The former baker for Pharaoh will be executed. Both interpretations are fulfilled exactly, but Joseph is soon forgotten again.
Genesis 40 describes Joseph's interpretation of dreams for two of his fellow prisoners. Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and baker are imprisoned and experience troubling, prophetic visions. Joseph reveals the meaning of those dreams and, just as he predicts, the cupbearer is restored to his position while the baker is executed. The redeemed cupbearer, despite Joseph's plea, says nothing to Pharaoh about Joseph's situation.
