Genesis 40:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days.

NIV: This is what it means,' Joseph said. 'The three baskets are three days.

NASB: Then Joseph answered and said, 'This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;

CSB: "This is its interpretation," Joseph replied. "The three baskets are three days.

NLT: This is what the dream means,' Joseph told him. 'The three baskets also represent three days.

KJV: And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

NKJV: So Joseph answered and said, “This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days.

Joseph has interpreted the cupbearer's dream: he would be restored to his position in three days (Genesis 40:9–13). Now Joseph interprets the baker's dream (Genesis 40:16–17). Unlike the cupbearer, whose future involves restoration, the outcome is far less favorable for the baker.

Numbers seen in Biblical dreams often carry deep significance (Genesis 37:9; 41:1–8). Joseph begins by noting that the three baskets the baker carried on his head represent three days. This is just as the three branches in the cupbearer's dream represented three days. Both men will see their fates revealed in that time, but the baker's will be an unhappy one (Genesis 40:19).

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 5/6/2024 1:44:03 PM