FocusPreservation through suffering
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation Genesis 40:15
KJVFor indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
Read it in context
Joseph Interprets the Dreams of the Butler and Baker
Start reading at Genesis 40:1 (Genesis 40:1 to Genesis 40:23).
The literary unit begins at the start of the chapter, detailing the imprisonment of Pharaoh's officers and Joseph's interpretation of their dreams.
- 40:1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
- 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
- 40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
- 40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
- 40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
- 40:6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
- 40:7 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?
- 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
- 40:9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
- 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
- 40:11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
- 40:12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
- 40:13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
- 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
- 40:15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
- 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
- 40:17 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.
- 40:18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
- 40:19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
- 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
- 40:21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
- 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
- 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional Jewish and Christian author of Genesis as part of the Pentateuch. Genesis itself does not explicitly identify its writer. Biblical references: John 5:46; Mark 12:26. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Genesis 40:1–40:23): Joseph addresses Pharaoh's imprisoned chief butler and chief baker concerning their dreams. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel, the covenant people descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were the first community for whom this account of their origins was preserved. An exact first circulation date or named recipient is not established. Biblical references: Genesis 12:1; Genesis 17:7; Genesis 35:10. book background
What
- What is the main event or theme? Joseph's plea for release from prison, based on his innocence and the injustice of his situation, having been "stolen away" from his homeland and falsely imprisoned.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing Joseph's integrity and innocence, and that He is sovereign over all circumstances, even unjust suffering, working His purposes through them. Joseph's earlier statement, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Genesis 40:8), underscores his reliance on God.
- What is the literary style? Narrative history.
When
- When was it written? c. 1440 to 1400 B.C.
- When does the event take place? The event takes place during Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt, after he was sold into slavery by his brothers and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. This period falls within the larger timeframe of Creation to the death of Joseph.
Where
- Where did it happen? In the prison, specifically "the house of the captain of the guard," in Egypt.
- Where was the author located? Wilderness of Sinai.
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Joseph Interprets the Dreams of the Butler and Baker (Genesis 40:1 to Genesis 40:23). Start reading at Genesis 40:1. The literary unit begins at the start of the chapter, detailing the imprisonment of Pharaoh's officers and Joseph's interpretation of their dreams.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This passage highlights Joseph's continued suffering and unjust imprisonment, which is a crucial part of God's plan to elevate him to a position of power in Egypt, ultimately saving his family and preserving the lineage of Israel. It also demonstrates Joseph's consistent character and reliance on God even in adversity. interpretation
- How does it point to Christ? Joseph's experience of being unjustly "stolen away" (betrayed by his own brothers) and then falsely accused and imprisoned despite his innocence, foreshadows Jesus Christ. Christ, though innocent, was betrayed, falsely accused, and suffered unjustly, ultimately for the salvation of many. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers today can find encouragement to maintain integrity and trust in God's sovereign plan even when facing unjust suffering, false accusations, or difficult circumstances. God can use even the most unfair situations to accomplish His greater purposes. interpretation
Cited: Genesis 37:28, Genesis 39:20, Genesis 40:3, Genesis 40:8, Genesis 40:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Elsewhere Scripture attributes the Law to Moses, and Jesus calls it the book of Moses.
Exodus 17:14Joshua 8:31Mark 12:26John 5:46
Early traditionJewish tradition (Talmud, Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church assign the first five books to Moses.
What is debatedSome scholars propose several later sources behind the Pentateuch. A few notes appear to be written after Moses, such as the list of kings in Genesis 36:31.
Other accounts of this event
Stephen recounts Joseph and his family
Later retelling included
Stephen summarizes a long history. His summary should not be mistaken for a verse-by-verse duplicate or used to erase details that require further study.
Related passages
- stolen Exod 21:16 Deut 24:7 1 Tim 1:10
- the Hebrews Gen 14:13 Gen 41:12
- done Gen 39:8-12,20 1 Sam 24:11 Ps 59:3-4 Dan 6:22 John 10:32 John 15:25 Acts 24:12-21 Acts 25:10-11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Genesis 40
Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Genesis 1:1 Genesis 12:1 Genesis 50:24
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Genesis
Genesis introduces creation, the nations, and the ancestral family of Israel. It does not name a recipient or give a composition date. Read the promises to named people in their narrated settings before applying them to later readers.
Genesis 1:1 Genesis 12:1 Genesis 50:24
Creation and the nations
Genesis 1:1–11:26FocusBeginnings, rebellion, and judgment
Connection to the wholeThe opening establishes God as Creator, describes human rebellion and its consequences, and traces the nations before narrowing the account to Abram's family.
interpretation Abraham and the promise
Genesis 11:27–25:18FocusCalling, covenant, and descendants
Connection to the wholeThe narrative concentrates on God's promises to Abraham, the birth of Isaac, and the continuation of the family through whom the earlier promise is carried forward.
interpretation Isaac, Jacob, and Esau
Genesis 25:19–36:43FocusThe promise through a divided family
Connection to the wholeFamily rivalry, journeys, marriages, and reconciliation develop the promised line while also recording the related family of Esau.
interpretation FocusPreservation through suffering
Connection to the wholeJoseph's experiences lead to the preservation of Jacob's family in Egypt. The book closes with confidence about a future return, preparing the setting of Exodus.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.