Genesis 40:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me,

NIV: So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, 'In my dream I saw a vine in front of me,

NASB: So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, saying to him, 'In my dream, behold, there was a vine in front of me;

CSB: So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: "In my dream there was a vine in front of me.

NLT: So the chief cup-bearer told Joseph his dream first. 'In my dream,' he said, 'I saw a grapevine in front of me.

KJV: And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;

NKJV: Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “Behold, in my dream a vine was before me,

Ancient Egyptian culture invested great importance in dreams. Seers and mediums would claim to explain the meaning of visions. In prison, of course, there is no easy access to such a person. The now-imprisoned cupbearer and baker for Pharaoh have both experienced prophetic dreams on the same night (Genesis 40:1–8). Joseph, also in prison on a false charge (Genesis 39:11–15), has stated that God, not man, can reveal the meaning of those dreams. When Joseph asks to hear the details of the men's dreams, they agree.

The cupbearer goes first. He saw a grapevine in his dream, perhaps not surprising for someone whose business is wine. His vision will involve pressing grapes and giving the results to Pharaoh. Joseph will explain that this is a favorable sign (Genesis 40:10–13).

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 4/28/2024 7:52:53 PM