Genesis 40:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.”

NIV: In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.'

NASB: and in the top basket there were some of all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.'

CSB: In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head."

NLT: The top basket contained all kinds of pastries for Pharaoh, but the birds came and ate them from the basket on my head.'

KJV: And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

NKJV: In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”

Relying on revelation from God, Joseph has promised to interpret the dreams of two fellow prisoners (Genesis 40:1–8). These prophetic visions left the men disturbed and confused. The first dream, seen by the cupbearer, was a prediction that he would be restored to his former position (Genesis 40:9–13). Joseph is so certain of this that he asked the cupbearer to put in a good word for him, with Pharaoh (Genesis 40:14–15).

Seeing the good outcome predicted by the other man's vision, the baker is hopeful for a similar report (Genesis 40:16). In his dream, he carries three cake baskets on his head, perhaps delivering them to Pharaoh. The top basket is full of all kinds of baked goods. Egyptians were known for skill in making cakes and breads. In the dream, birds were eating Pharaoh's baked goods from the top basket above the baker's head.

Joseph will interpret the dream in the following verses, but the outcome will not be what the baker had hoped (Genesis 40:18–19).

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 4/27/2024 10:44:34 AM