Genesis 40:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?”

NIV: So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, 'Why do you look so sad today?'

NASB: So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, 'Why are your faces so sad today?'

CSB: So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were in custody with him in his master's house, "Why do you look so sad today? "

NLT: Why do you look so worried today?' he asked them.

KJV: And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?

NKJV: So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”

Joseph has been confined to prison for "some time," likely several years, on a false charge (Genesis 39:11–15). As he did in his first master's home, Joseph has made a name for himself and risen to a position of responsibility—though he is still an unwilling prisoner (Genesis 39:21–23). After some years, the Egyptian king's cupbearer and baker are jailed, and Joseph is put in charge of their custody (Genesis 40:1–3). This, as well, continues for "some time," again probably a stretch of years. (Genesis 40:4).

Then, on the same night, both the cupbearer and baker had powerful dreams. They cannot understand them, but they seem to realize they are not "just" dreams. These are visions of some kind which need to be explained. Both men are convinced their individual dreams mean something specific, and they're right. Joseph finds the pair disturbed the following morning (Genesis 39:5–6) and asks what is bothering them.

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 5/4/2024 1:54:14 PM