Genesis 40:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined.

NIV: and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.

NASB: So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, in the prison, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned.

CSB: and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guards in the prison where Joseph was confined.

NLT: and he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of the captain of the guard.

KJV: And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

NKJV: So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined.

Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was enraged at his cupbearer and baker, formerly trusted servants. We're not told what they did to make him angry. We do know they were cast into the same prison housing Joseph (Genesis 39:11–20). He is there on a false charge, unlike the baker and cupbearer who are guilty of some crime. As before, Joseph's integrity and knack for success have made him rise to leadership, even within the prison (Genesis 39:21–23).

This prison is somehow attached to the house in which Joseph formerly served. While Joseph's Egyptian master was identified as the captain of the guard (Genesis 39:1), the name Potiphar is no longer used in Joseph's story. For that reason, it's unclear if Potiphar is still in that position when these two men are brought in.

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 5/1/2024 9:29:37 PM