Genesis 40:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

NIV: but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.

NASB: but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them.

CSB: But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had explained to them.

NLT: But Pharaoh impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had predicted when he interpreted his dream.

KJV: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

NKJV: But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Just as Joseph said (Genesis 40:12–13), Pharaoh has returned his former chief cupbearer to his prior job (Genesis 40:21). Joseph's explanation of the chief baker's fate also proves deadly accurate (Genesis 40:18–19). Pharaoh also "lifts up" the man's head (Genesis 40:20; Psalm 3:3), only to then execute the baker and leave his corpse hanging for scavengers to defile.

We're not told what charges were brought against either the cupbearer or the baker (Genesis 40:1–3). It's possible neither of them was guilty of a literal crime other than "offending" the Pharaoh. Joseph, for his part, was truly innocent (Genesis 39:11–15; 40:14–15). The impression we're left with is that justice for slaves and servants under the Pharaoh in Egypt was based entirely on the whims of the king.

What's certain is the reliability of God to reveal to Joseph the true meaning of prophetic dreams. This fact will become crucial in Joseph's life, but only several years later (Genesis 41:1; 9–14).

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.

Joseph remains in prison after being accused of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:11–15). The Lord blesses Joseph even in jail (Genesis 39:21–23), but he longs to get out. His chance for release comes through an opportunity to interpret the dreams of two fellow prisoners. The dreams reveal that one will be restored to his old position, while the other will be killed. Joseph pleads with the servant to be restored, asking him to to plead with Pharaoh to get Joseph released, but the man fails to do so. Two years later (Genesis 41:1), another dream requires explanation, and Joseph will finally be freed (Genesis 41:12–14).

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 11/22/2024 8:28:10 PM