VERSE 1 Then it came about after these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt (~yIr'c.mi %l,m,l. ~h,ynEdoa]l; hp,aoh'w> ~yIr;c.mi-%l,m, hqev.m; Waj.x' hL,aeh' ~yrIb'D>h; rx;a; yhiy>w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. hayah + adv achar after + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. dabar word, thing, speech + def.art.w/adj.p.abs. elleh these + Qal perf.3p. chata sin, miss the mark; "offended" + noun m.s.constr. mashqeh cup bearer; irrigation; from root "give to drink" + noun m.s.abs. melek king + p.n. Egypt + waw w/def.art.w/Qal part.m.s.abs. aphah bake; "the baker" + prep lamedhj w/noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. adon lord + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. melek king + p.n. Egypt]).

VERSE 2 Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker (~ypiAah' rf; l[;w> ~yqiv.M;h; rf; l[; wys'yrIs' ynEv. l[; h[or>P; @coq.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. qatsaph be displeased, angry; fret; "was furious" + p.n. Pharaoh; means "the Great House" + prep al "with" + adj.m. dual constr. shenayim two + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. saris official; eunuch + noun m.s.abs. shar prince; "chief" + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. masheqeh cup bearer + waw w/prep al "with" + noun m.s.abs. shar prince; "chief" + def.art.w/Qal part.m.p.abs. aphah bake]).

VERSE 3 So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, in the jail, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned (~v' rWsa' @seAy rv,a] ~Aqm. rh;Soh; tyBe-la, ~yxiB'j;h; rf; tyBe rm;v.miB. ~t'ao !TeYIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan give; "put" + d.o. marker w/3m.p.suff. "them" + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. mishemar guard, guardpost; "in confinement" + noun m.s.constr. bayith house + noun m.s.abs. shar prince; "captain" + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. tabbach bodyguard; cf. 37:36; 39:1; 40:3, 4; 41:10,12 + prep el + noun m.s.constr. bayith house + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. sohar roundness; NAS translates these three words as "in the jail"; cf. 39:20, 21, 22, 23; 40:3, 5 + noun m.s.constr. maqom place + rel.pro. asher + p.n. Joseph + Qal part.m.s.abs. asar tie, imprison; "imprisoned" + adv sham where]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-3

1. Joseph entered Egypt at age 17, in the year 1678 BC, and was appointed vizier (prime minister) over Egypt at the age of 30, in the year 1665 BC (37:2; 41:46).
2. Joseph had been in prison "two full years" prior to Pharaoh having his dreams (cf. 41:1).
3. The question is: How long was Joseph in prison before the year of his release and elavation to Vizier?
4. He was in prison prior to the house arrest of the cupbearer and the baker.
5. In other words, what part of the 13 years of his enslavement in Egypt did Joseph spend in prison?
6. The best guess based on evidence that will follow in this analysis is that Joseph spent 3 years in prison ( about one year in prison he meets the cupbearer and the baker; two years latter he appears before Pharaoh in 1665 BC).
7. So he entered this phase of his captivity at age 25, in the year 1668 BC, having spent ten years working for Potiphar.
8. On the 2^nd anniversary of the cupbearer’s release from prison, and the continued detention of Joseph, Pharaoh had his dreams in the year 1665 BC (41:1).
9. The only statement concerning the detention of these two individuals is in v. 4, which says, "and there were in confinement some days" (pl. of yom).
10. These two officials were with Joseph in the guardhouse for a short time (cf. 24:55 where the expression occurs, that is, the plural of yom).
11. Again, two years after these men were removed from the facility, Joseph himself was set free.
12. The narrator does not tells us what these two men did to "offend" (literally, ‘sin against’) the reigning Pharaoh (cf. v.1).
13. We learn later in the chapter that the crime of the baker was such that he was not only executed by hanging, but his corpse was hung up in the open to rot and to be eaten by birds.
14. So whatever it was, it was a most grievous offense against "the king of Egypt."
15. The verb translated "was furious" (qatsaph) occurs 63x in 59 verses in the OT.
16. It can refer to someone who blows up in the face of a very unpleasant situation (cf. Ex. 16:20; Lev. 10:16; 2Kgs. 5:11).
17. It is most often used of an intense manifestation of divine anger (cf. Deut. 1:34; 9:7,8,19,22; et al).
18. Our term "enraged" seems to best fit this term.
19. In some instances it suggests losing ones’ temper.
20. The cupbearer was a high ranking official who did more than just serve the king wine.
21. Such an official served as a confidant to the king, and wielded political influence.
22. Nehemiah held a comparable position in the Persian court (Neh. 1:11-2:8).
23. "The chief cupbearer" suggests, as does "chief baker," an official who had assistants serving under him.
24. The chief baker would be like our chief chef.
25. These two men were placed under house arrest as indicated by the expression "in confinement" (be mishmar; at 40:3, 4, 7; 41:10; Lev. 24:12; Num. 15:34 reads: "and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him.").
26. Again, this was not a prison for common criminals.
27. In fact, it was "in the house of the captain of the bodyguard" who in the previous chapter was Potiphar.
28. In these two chapters we have "chief/captain (sar) of the bodyguard" (cf. 37:36; 39:1; 40:3; 41:10, 12); "chief cupbearer/butler"; and, "chief baker/chef."
29. All three are referred to as "officials" (saris; see 37:36; 39:1; 40:2,7).
30. The text makes it clear that these two men were placed in the same place where Joseph was confined under indefinite detention.
31. As noted in the previous chapter, the place was called "the round house" or "the house of roundness" (cf. 39:20, 21, 22, 23; 40:3, 5; bayith ha sohar).
32. "The roundhouse" was a prison for political prisoners.
33. It no doubt located on the estate of the captain of the bodyguard, who was given this estate when selected for this appointment.
34. It is unlikely, even improbable, that Potiphar still held this office when these two officials were placed under house arrest.
35. From verse 3 we learn that these two officials were "put in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard."
36. In other words, in an adjacent facility on the estate of the one occupying the office of "captain of the bodyguard."
37. It would be logical since this official was responsible for the Pharaoh’s security.

The Story Behind the Text

38. The unnamed Pharaoh at the time of Joseph’s enslavement in Egypt was Amenemhet I (founder of the 12^th dynasty).
39. Prior to his ascension he was Vizier to Mentuhotep IV the last Pharaoh of the 11^th dynasty.
40. After driving out foreigners who entered the Delta of northern Egypt, Amenemhet I usurped the throne.
41. He moved the government from Thebes in southern Egypt to northern Egypt, where he built a new capital called Itytowy ("Seizer of the Two Lands").
42. The "Two Lands" refers to both Upper Egypt (higher elevation of the south) and Lower Egypt (Lower Egypt ending at the Mediterranean Sea).
43. His ascension year was 1688 BC (year zero), and he reigned until 1657 BC, which just happens to be the 2^nd year of the great famine.
44. Amenemhet I co-reigned with his son Sesostris I from 1688 BC until his death in 1657 BC (31 years).
45. In a letter written to his son Sesostris I, Amenemhet I explains how his palace servants and officials treacherously attempted to kill him while his son was away on campaign in Libya.
46. The Egyptologist Breasted translated it as follows: "Beware of subjects who are nobodies, of who’s plotting one is not aware. Trust not a brother, know not a friend, make no intimates, it is worthless…I gave to the beggar, I raised the orphan, I gave success to the poor as well as to the wealthy; but he who ate my food raised opposition, He who I gave my trust used it to plot. Wearers of my fine linen looked at me as if they were needy…It was after supper, night had come…As my heart began to follow sleep, weapons for my protection were turned against me, while I was like a snake of the desert. I awoke at the fighting, alert, and found it was a combat of the guard…Thus bloodshed occurred while I was without you; before the courtiers had heard I would hand over to you [the kingdom]; before I had sat with you as to advise you. For I had not prepared for it, had not expected it, had not foreseen the failing of the servants."
47. The story of the butler and baker who "offended" Pharaoh connects with the "servants" who ate his "food" and were dressed in his "fine linen."
48. They then would be potential participants in the "the failing of the servants."
49. The fact that the chief baker was hanged suggests he was found guilty of high treason.
50. The sparing and reinstatement of the butler indicates he was found innocent.
51. An obvious question arises: Which side of the struggle was Potiphar on?
52. In his letter, Amenemhet stated: "weapons for my protection were turned against me…I awoke fighting, alert, and found it was a combat of the guard."
53. These words suggest that his captain of the bodyguard was a leader of this palace coup.
54. If so, he was either killed during the fighting, or executed immediately for his treason, when Sesostris I returned to the capital with the army.
55. This would explain why Potiphar’s name is not mentioned in chap. 40; only an unnamed individual who held the post and favored Joseph as Potiphar had done.
56. At the time when Joseph is interpreting the dreams of the butler and the baker, a new captain of the bodyguard has been appointed, and had taken up residency on the vacated estate!
57. If this is true, Joseph would have prospered under two successive captains of the bodyguard.
58. We know that Joseph appeared before Pharaoh "two full years" after the reinstatement of the chief cupbearer in order to interpret his dreams.
59. The Pharaoh at that juncture was Amenemhet I’s son, Sesostris I.
60. The office of Vizier had been vacated when Joseph was appointed to that position.
61. In the letter to his son quoted above (pt. 46), Amenemhet I appears to warn his son against appointing another Vizier.
62. Lichtheim’s Translation: Trust not a brother, know not a friend, make no intimates, it is worthless…I gave to the beggar, I raised the orphan, I gave success to the poor [and] to the wealthy; but he who ate my food raised opposition, He whom I gave my trust used it to plot.
63. Vizier’s among 12^th dynasty kings called themselves "favorite of the king" and "his beloved among the companions."
64. The Vizier was the king’s closest companion and advisor, and was the most likely person to attempt a coup against Amenemhet I (2^nd in command).
65. He held the highest authority, second only to the Pharaoh.
66. A stele in Paris names Khenty-bau as the Vizier of Amenemhet I.
67. However, Khenty-bau’s tomb is not to be found among the many tombs of Amenemhet I’s other officials.
68. Amenemhet I’s pyramid is located a few hundred yards west of the village of El Lisht.
69. It is guarded and maintained as the royal cemetery of the kings of the 12th dynasty.
70. The name Khenty-bau is not found among the many tombs of Amenemhet and his officials.
71. The largest tomb in the cemetery is occupied by Rehu-er-djer-sen, the Chancellor, an official of lesser standing than the Vizier.
72. The absence of a tomb for Khenty-bau indicates that he was likely the leader of the coup and was killed when Sesostris I returned to the palace.
73. The proposed scenario has the office of Vizier vacant, waiting for Joseph to emerge!
74. Perhaps due to his wounds and his age, Amenemhet I appointed his son a co-regent.
75. Sesostris I was probably reluctant to appoint a Vizier in the two years after the failed coup, but the interpretation of his troubling dreams changed his mind.
76. Khenty-bau, Potiphar (and his wife), and the baker, and others were swept from the scene according to their deeds.
77. The detective work behind this proposed scenario is the work of Ted T. Stewart in his book "Solving the Exodus Mystery Volume 1: Discovery of the True Pharaohs of Joseph, Moses and the Exodus."

Joseph Interprets Two Dreams (vv. 4-20)

The Dreams Produce Distress (vv. 4-8)

VERSE 4 The captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time (rm'v.miB. ~ymiy" Wyh.YIw: ~t'ao tr,v'y>w: ~T'ai @seAy-ta, ~yxiB'J;h; rf; dqop.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. paqad number, appoint; "put…in charge" + noun m.s.abs. shar prince; "captain" + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. tabbach guard; "bodyguard" + d.o. marker + p.n. Joseph + part eth w/3m.p.suff. + waw w/Piel impf.3m.s. sharath minister; "took care" + d.o. marker w/3m.p.suff. + waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. hayah + noun m.p.abs. yom day; "for some time" + prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. mishemar guard; "in confinement"]).

VERSE 5 Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation (rh;Soh; tybeB. ~yrIWsa] rv,a] ~yIr;c.mi %l,m,l. rv,a] hp,aoh'w> hq,v.M;h; Aml{x] !Art.piK. vyai dx'a, hl'y>l;B. Aml{x] vyai ~h,ynEv. ~Alx] Wml.x;Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. chalam dream + noun m.s.abs. chalom dream + adj.m. dual constr.w/3m.p.suff. shenayim two; "both" + noun m.s.abs. ish; "each man" + prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. layelah night + adj.m.s.abs. echad one; "same" + noun m.s.abs. ish man + prep kaph w/noun m.s.constr. pitron interpretation + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. chalom dream + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. masheqeh cup bearer + waw w/def.art.w/Qal part.m.s.abs. aphah bake + rel.pro. asher + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. melek king + p.n. Egypt + rel.pro. asher + Qal part.m.p.abs. asar bind; "were confined" + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. bayith house + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. sohar roundness; e.g., the roundhouse]).

VERSE 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected (~ypi[]zO ~N"hiw> ~t'ao ar>Y:w: rq,BoB; @seAy ~h,ylea] aboY"w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. bo go, come + prep al w/3m.p.suff. + p.n. Joseph + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. boqer morning + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. ra-ah see; "observed" + d.o. marker w/3m.p.suff. + waw w/interj hinneh + Qal part.m.p.abs. za-aph fret, be sad]).

VERSE 7 He asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in confinement in his master's house, "Why are your faces so sad today (~AYh; ~y[ir' ~k,ynEP. [;WDm; rmoale wyn"doa] tyBe rm;v.mib. ATai rv,a] h[or>p; yseyrIs.-ta, la;v.YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. sha-al ask, inquire + d.o. marker + noun m.p.constr. saris official + p.n. Pharaoh + prep eth w/3m.s.suff.; "with him" + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. mishemar "in confinement" + noun m.s.constr. bayith + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. adon lord + prep lamedh w/Qal infin.constr. amar say + adv madua why? + noun m.p.constr.w/2m.p.suff. paneh face + adj.m.p.abs. ra evil, bad; "so sad" + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. day])?"

VERSE 8 Then they said to him, "We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it (Atao !yae rtepoW Wnm.l;x' ~Alx] wyl'ae Wrm.aYOw [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. amar say + prep el w/3m.s.suff. + noun m.s.abs. chalom dream + Qal perf.1p. chalam dream + waw w/Qal part.m.s.abs. pathar interpret + adv ayin no one + d.o. marker w/3m.s.suff.])."

Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? (yli an"-WrP.s; ~ynIrot.Pi ~yhil{ale aAlh] @seAy ~h,lea] rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.p. amar say + prep el w/3m.p.suff. + p.n. Joseph + interrog ha w/neg lo + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.abs. Elohim + noun m.p.abs. pitron interpretation])?

Tell it to me, please Piel imper.m.p. saphar recount; "Tell" + inter na please + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff.])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 4-8

1. Joseph was confined to the round house in the year 1668 BC ten years after he entered Egypt as a slave on Potiphar’s estate.
2. Sometime near the end of his first year of imprisonment, two noteworthy individuals joined him in the confinement facility called "the Roundhouse."
3. Throughout all his ups and downs, Joseph never abandoned his faith in his God or his special destiny revealed in his two dreams that told of his ascendancy over his family.
4. The aborted coup brought into Joseph’s acquaintance two important palace officials.
5. Joseph, the model prisoner, was assigned "care" of these two men by "the captain of the bodyguard."
6. The year of the coup attempt was 1667, the year these two men were placed under house arrest.
7. The current captain of the bodyguard is not named in these verses, since Potiphar was no longer holding this office, as he was part of the plot to overthrow Amenemhet I.
8. For reasons not told us, Joseph was assigned to care for these two men during the brief time of their confinement.
9. The length of their confinement is said to have been "for some time" which literally reads "days" or "some days" (v.4).
10. Following the failed coup it took some time before it could be determined who was involved and who was innocent.
11. On one of those "days" shortly after their presence in the prison, during the period of reorganization and investigation, the two officials had dreams on the same night (v.5).
12. The dreams were imposed on their subconscious by God.
13. Joseph, assigned to be their personal, attendant found them the next morning extremely downcast and morose (Qal part. ze-eph be sad, vexed, out of humor; also at Dan. 1:10 where it means ‘emaciated’; elsewhere the root has the nuance of anger that results from frustration as in 1Kgs. 20:43; 21:4).
14. Joseph’s words, "Why are you looking so glum today?", reflect genuine empathy for their well-being under the very stressful experience of their uncertain fate (v.7; cp. Neh. 2:2 where he asked the same question).
15. His concern in this context turned out to be the event that would lead to his release and elevation to the top post in the kingdom of Sesostris I.
16. The Egyptians shared a belief that was widespread in antiquity that "sleep puts us in contact with the other world where not only the dead but also the gods dwell. Dreams are a gift from the gods" (Vergote, Joseph en Egypte, 48).
17. The interpretation of dreams was a complex science entrusted to trained specialists.
18. A dreamer might have a hunch whether a dream was auspicious or not, he must rely on experts for the correct interpretation.
19. As they were in prison they had no access to such expertise so as to learn their fate—hence, the despondency (v.8a).
20. According to Joseph, however, it is not learning but inspiration that matters: "Do not interpretations belong to God?", he responds.
21. He will make this same point to Pharaoh latter (cf. 41:16).
22. Joseph’s viewpoint is consistent with the OT rejection of occult practices.
23. Joseph’s answer "interpretations belong to God’ is dogmatic.
24. These words come from a very lowly foreign slave, whom the two prisoners had not dreamed of questioning.
25. What he means is that interpretation of dreams is not a human art, but a gift which God chooses to grant.
26. Future events lay in God’s hand only, and He alone knows the future as well as He knows the present and the past.
27. Only the one to whom He chooses has the power of interpretation.
28. Daniel made the same point to king Nebuchadnezzar who had had a disturbing dream (Dan. 2:28 "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days.").

Interpretation of the Cupbearer’s Dream (vv. 9-13)

VERSE 9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "In my dream, behold, there was a vine in front of me (yn"p'l. !p,g<-hNEhiw> ymiAlx]B; Al rm,aYOw: @seAyl. Aml{x]-ta, ~yqiv.M;h;-rf; rPes;y>w: [Piel impf.3m.s. saphar recount, tell + noun m.s.abs. shar prince; "chief" + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. masheqeh cupbearer + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. chalom dream + prep lamedh w/p.n. Joseph + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. chalom + waw w/interj hinned + noun both s.as. gepen vine + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr.w/1s.suff. "in front of me"]);

VERSE 10 and on the vine were three branches (~gIyrIf' hv'l{v. !p,G<b;W [waw w/def.art.w/pre beth w/noun both s.abs. gepen vine + adj.m.s.abs. shalosh three + noun m.p.abs. sharig twig, tendril; "branches"]).

And as it was budding, its blossoms came out, and its clusters produced ripe grapes (~ybin"[] h'yt,l{K.v.a; Wlyvib.hi HC'nI ht'l.[' tx;r;pok. ayhiw> [waw w/pro.3f.s. hi it + prep kaph w/Qal part.f.s.abs. parach sprout, bud + Qal perf.3f.s. alah ascend, climb; "came out" + noun m.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. nets blossom; only here + Hiphil perf.3p. bashal seethe, boil, roast, grow ripe + noun m.p.constr.w/3f.s. eshkol cluster [grape] + noun m.p.abs. enabh grape]).

VERSE 11 "Now Pharaoh's cup was in my hand (ydIy"B. h[or>P; sAkw> [waw w/noun f.s.abs. kos cup + p.n. Pharaoh + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr.w/1s.suff. yadh hand]; so I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I put the cup into Pharaoh's hand [h[or>P; @K;-l[; sAKh;-ta, !Tea,w" h[or>P; sAK-la, ~t'ao jx;f.a,w" ~ybin"[]h'-ta, xQ;a,w" [waw w/Qal impf.1s. laqach take + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. egab grape + waw w/Qal impf.1s. shahat squeeze + d.o. marker w/3m.p.suff. + prep el + noun f.s.abs. kos cup + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/Qal impf.1s. nathan give; "put" + d.o. marker + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. kos cup + prep al + noun f.s.abs. kaph hand + p.n. Pharaoh])."

VERSE 12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days (~he ~ymiy" tv,l{v. ~ygIrIF'h; tv,l{v. Anrot.Pi hz< @seAy Al rm,aYOw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + p.n. Joseph + adj.m.s.abs. zeh this + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. pitron interpretation + adj.m.s.constr. shalosh three + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. sharig twig; "branches" + adj.m.s.constr. shalosh three + noun m.p.abs. yom day + pro.3m.p. hem they]);

VERSE 13 within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office (^N<K;-l[; ^b.yvih]w: ^v,aro-ta, h[or>p; aF'yI ~ymiy" tv,l{v. dA[B. [prep. beth w/adv odh "within" + adjm.s.constr. shalosh three + noun m.p.abs. yom day + Qal impf.3m.s. nasha lift + p.n. Pharaoh + d.o. marker + noun m.s.consr. w/3m.s.suff. rosh head + waw w/Hiphil perf.3m.s.w.2m.s.suff. shub return; "restore" + prep al + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. ken office]; and you will put Pharaoh's cup into his hand according to your former custom when you were his cupbearer [Whqev.m; t'yyIh' rv,a] !AvarIh' jP'v.MiK; Ady"B. h[or>P;-sAk T't;n"w> [waw w/Qal perf.2m.s. nathan give; "put" + noun f.s.abs. kos cup + p.n. Pharaoh + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.suff. yad hand + def.art.w/prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. mishepat justice, ordinance; "custom" + def.art.w/adj.m.s.ab.s rishon first; "former" + rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.2m.s. hayah + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. masheqeh cup bearer]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 9-13

1. The cupbearers’ dream features a single vine with just three branches (v.9).
2. He then saw the vine do what vines do: bud, blossom and develop a clusters of grapes (the translation "ripe" is eshkol [pl.] which means grape cluster; v. 10).
3. These three actions took place in rapid animated succession.
4. The cupbearer sees himself in the dream with Pharaoh’s cup in hand (v.11a).
5. Next, he takes the grape clusters and crushes the grapes producing juice [wine] into the cup he was holding (v.11b).
6. The process of making wine from grape juice requires a period of fermentation which is only implied in the final action mentioned in his dream—the putting of the cup in Pharaoh’s hand (v.11c).
7. Two individuals were featured in his dream; one being the center of attention (the cupbearer) and the other (Pharaoh) being handed a cup of wine.
8. The number three dominates the dream: three branches/stems, three stages of growth: budding, blossoming, and ripening; and three actions: taking grapes, crushing grapes, and handing the cup to Pharaoh.
9. The speed with which these actions suggests the imminence of fulfillment.
10. The dream was a near-term prophecy.
11. Joseph’s interpretation is short and sweet (vv. 12-13).
12. This is the only experience Joseph has had dealing with prophetic dreams since his experience back in Canaan.
13. Here he plays the role of the all-important interpreter for apart from his divine inspiration the dream would have remained an enigma.
14. The only allegorical aspect of the dream is the three branches, which Joseph says represent three twenty-four hour days (72 hrs.; v.12).
15. Next Joseph reveals what will happen to the cupbearer at that time (v.13).
16. "Pharaoh will lift up your head" in this instance is an figure of speech for showing favor (2Kgs. 25:27//Jer. 52:31).
17. The words immediately following this expression—"and restore to you your office" (ken) of course means that the cupbearer will get his job back.
18. The featured responsibility of the chief cupbearer was to see to it that Pharaoh was served the very best wine on all occasions.
19. He was responsible to oversee the royal wine production.
20. He had the honor of serving the wine to His Majesty.

Joseph’s Plea (vv. 14-15)

VERSE 14 "Only keep me in mind when it goes well with you (%l' bj;yyI rv,a]K; ^T.ai ynIT;r>k;z>-~ai yKi [part ki "Only" + part im when + Qal perf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. zakar remember + prep kaph w/rel.pro. asher + Qal impf.3m.s. yatab be well + prep lameh w/2m.s.suff. "with you"]), and please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house (hZ<h; tyIB;h;-!mi ynIt;aceAhw> h[or>P;-la, ynIT;r>K;z>hiw> ds,x' ydIM'[i aN"-t'yfi['w> [waw w/Qal perf.2m.s. ashah do + interj na please + prep immah w/1s.suff. "me" + noun m.s.abs. chesed kindness + waw w/Hiphil perf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. zakar think about; remember; mention + prep el + p.n. Pharaoh + waw w/Hiphil perf.2m.s.w/1s.suff. yatsa go out + prep min from + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. bayith + def.art.w/adj.m.s.abs. zeh this]).

VERSE 15 "For I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews (~yrIb.[ih' #r,a,me yTib.N:GU bNOgU-yKi [part ki + Pual infin.constr. ganab steal + Pual perf.1s. ganab = "I was in fact kidnapped" + prep min w/noun both s.abs. eretz land + def.art.w/p.n. Hebrew], and even here I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon [rABB; ytiao Wmf'-yKi hm'Wam. ytiyfi['-al{ hPo-~g:w> [waw w/conj gam + adv poh here + neg lo + Qal perf.1s. ashah do + noun m.s.abs. me-umah anything + part ki + Qal perf.3p. shim put + d.o. marker w/1s.suff. + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. bor pit; "dungeon"])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 14-15

1. Joseph’s plea to the cupbearer, to whom he had rendered an invaluable service, demonstrates his confidence in his interpretation of the dream.
2. Joseph asks this man to do him a favor when the man is reinstated and in the presence of Pharaoh (v.14).
3. Common courtesy (chesed) is what Joseph asks of this man when in three days he stands before Pharaoh who has the power of life and death.
4. Just as the cupbearer was incapable of interpreting his dream, so Joseph is unable to make his case before Pharaoh.
5. Joseph feels the need to state his defense of wrongful imprisonment (v.15).
6. One might take issue with Joseph’s description of his captivity in Egypt.
7. But the term "kidnapped/stolen" does express his feelings in regards to his treatment by his brothers.
8. They had stolen his freedom and sold him into slavery.
9. The expression "land of the Hebrews" identifies his birthplace rather than his God.
10. How much meaning, if any, this geographical designation had to this court official is anyone’s guess.
11. But it is sufficient to identify Joseph as a foreigner/alien.
12. Interestingly, he does not say, "the land of Canaan," which would have been quite familiar to this official.
13. Joseph held fast to the doctrine of the land-grant promising the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham.
14. Soon the cupbearer would be delivered, not only from the prospect of death, but would flourish in the approbation of Pharaoh for having stayed loyal during a crisis in the kingdom.
15. Joseph presents a volitional challenge to this man as here is an alien who can do what no other can do, and that is interpret with total accuracy dreams.
16. Joseph’s attempt to facilitate his release constitutes an example of energy of the flesh as God is the one who orchestrates his release and its timing.
17. What will be the impact on this man in two years?
18. Joseph’s final statement is a disclaimer that he has done anything to merit confinement (v. 15b).
19. Many prisoners say this, but Joseph speaks the truth, and he speaks the truth as will be soon evident (3 days), from the authority of fulfilled prophecy.
20. Certainly, the cupbearer will remember him and advise the Pharaoh to look into the matter!

The Baker’s Dream and Its Interpretation (vv. 16-23)

VERSE 16 When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph (@seAy-la, rm,aYOw: rt'P' bAj yKi ~ypiaoh'-rf; ar>Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. ra-ah see + noun m.s.abs. shar prince + def.art.w/Qal part.m.p.abs. aphah bake + part ki + noun m.s.abs. tobh good; "favorably" + Qal perf.3m.s. pathar interpret (dreams") + Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep el + p.n. Joseph], "I also saw in my dream, and behold, there were three baskets of white bread on my head [yviaro-l[; yrIxo yLes; hv'l{v. hNEhiw> ymiAlx]B; ynIa]-@a; [part aph also, yea + pro.1s. ani I + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. chalom dream + waw w/interj hinnedh behold + adj.m.s.abs. shalosh three + noun m.p.constr. sal basket + noun m.s.abs. chori white + prep al upon + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. rosh head]);

VERSE 17 and in the top basket there were some of all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head (yviaro l[;me lS;h;-!mi ~t'ao lkeao @A[h'w> hp,ao hfe[]m; h[or>P; lk;a]m; lKomi !Ayl.[,h' lS;b;W [waw w/def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. sal basket + def.art.w/adj.m.s.abs. elyon most high; "top" + prep min + noun m.s.abs. kol all + noun m.s.constr. ma-akal fruit, meat, food; "food" or prepared food + p.n. Pharaoh + noun m.s.constr. ma-asheh deed, work; "baked" + waw w/def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. oph bird + Qal part.m.s.abs. akal eat + d.o. marker w/3m.p.suff. + prep min + def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. sal basket + prep min w/prep al + noun m.s.constr.w/1s.suff. rosh head])."

VERSE 18 Then Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days (~he ~ymiy" tv,l{v. ~yLiS;h; tv,l{v. Anrot.Pi hz< rm,aYOw: @seAy ![;Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. anah answer + p.n. Joseph + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. amar say + adj.m.s.abs. zeh this + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. pitron interpretation + adj.m.s.constr. shalosh three + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. sal basket + adj.m.s.constr. shalosh three + noun m.p.abs. yom day + pro.3m.p. hem these]);

VERSE 19 within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you (^yl,['me ^r>f'B.-ta, @A[h' lk;a'w> #[e-l[; ^t.Aa hl't'w> ^yl,['me ^v.aro-ta, h[or>p; aF'yI ~ymiy" tv,l{v. dA[B. [prep beth w/adv odh "within" + adj.m.s.constr. shalosh three + noun m.p.abs. yom + Qal impf.3m.s. nasha lift + p.n. Pharaoh + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. rosh head + prep min w/prep al from upon + waw w/Qal perf.3m.s. talah hang + d.o. marker + prep al + noun m.s.abs. etz tree + waw w/Qal perf.3m.s. akal eat +def.art.w/noun m.s.abs. oph bird + d.o. marker + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. bashar flesh + prep min w/prep al w/2m.s.suff. "off you"])."

VERSE 20 Thus it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday (h[or>P;-ta, td,L,hu ~Ay yviyliV.h; ~AYB; yhiy>w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. hayah be + def.art.w/prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. yom day + def.art.w/adj.m.s.abs. shalosh three; "third" + noun m.s.abs. yom + Qal infin.constr. yalad bear = "birthday" + d.o. marker + p.n. Pharaoh], that he made a feast for all his servants [wyd'b'[]-lk'l. hT,v.mi f[;Y:w: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. ashah do + noun m.s.abs. mishtech banquet; from vb. ‘to drink’ + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ebed servant]; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants [wyd'b'[] %AtB. ~ypiaoh' rf; varo-ta,w> ~yqiv.M;h; rf; varo-ta, aF'YIw: [waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nasha lift up + d.o. marker + noun m.s.abs. rosh head + noun m.s.abs. shar prince + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. mashqech cup bearer + waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.s.abs. rosh head + noun m.s.abs. shar prince + def.art.w/Qal part.m.p.abs. aphah bake + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. tawek midst; "among"]).

VERSE 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand (h[or>P; @K;-l[; sAKh; !TeYIw: Whqev.m;-l[; ~yqiv.M;h; rf;-ta, bv,Y"w: [waw w/Hiphil impf.3m.s. shub turn; "restored" + d.o. marker + noun m.s.abs. shar prince + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. mashqech cup bearer + prep al + noun m.s.constr. w/3m.s.suff. mashqech cup bearer + "his office" + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s. nathan give; "put" + def.art.w/noun f.s.abs. kos cup + prep al upon + noun f.s.abs. kaph hand + p.n. Pharaoh]);

VERSE 22 but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted to them (@seAy ~h,l' rt;P' rv,a]K; hl'T' ~ypiaoh' rf; taew> [waw w/d.o. marker + noun m.s.abs. shar prince + def.art.w/Qal part.m.p.abs. aphah bake + Qal perf.3m.s. talah hang + prep kaph w/rel.pro. asher + Qal perf.3m.s. pathar interpret + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff. + p.n. Joseph]).

VERSE 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him (WhxeK'v.YIw: @seAy-ta, ~yqiv.M;h;-rf; rk;z"-al{w> [waw w/neg lo + Qal perf.3m.s. zakar remember + noun m.s.abs. shar + def.art.w/noun m.p.abs. masheqeh cup bearer + d.o. marker + p.n. Joseph + waw w/Qal impf.3m.s.w/3m.s.suff. shakach forget]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 16-23

1. Two officials sat in Joseph’s presence—one innocent and one guilty.
2. However, both were under a lot of stress not knowing the outcome of their respective fates.
3. Joseph plays the part of God’s servant in the capacity assigned to him in the prison.
4. Joseph does not know the how or the when of his release; only the fact of it, based on the two dreams he had back in Canaan.
5. Encouraged by the favorable interpretation granted to his colleague, the baker solicits Joseph to interpret his dream.
6. In his dream he saw himself with three baskets of "white bread" staked one on top of the other on his head (v.16).
7. The designation "white bread" is found only here and the meaning is debated.
8. It perhaps means pastries made with white flour.
9. The focus turns to "the top basket" which was exposed.
10. In that basket were "all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh."
11. An Egyptian dictionary "lists 38 kinds of cake and 57 varieties of bread…These facts proving that the Egyptians were first-class gourmets, also give a particular significance to the words of the chief baker which may be literally translated, ‘There were in the top basket all sorts of foods for Pharaoh, masterpiece of the pastry cook’" (Vergote, Joseph en Egypte, 37).
12. Two things were ominous in this depiction: (a) the food was exposed; and (b) birds were eating what was supposed to be Pharaoh’s.
13. The words "Joseph answered and said" denote a deliberate and unflinching reply.
14. Was Joseph annoyed or amazed that the baker should imagine that such an inauspicious dream could have a favorable meaning?
15. Or, that a man who deserved death could expect a pardon?
16. In his inspired interpretation Joseph manages to keep the bad news until last.
17. The interpretation starts off like the cupbearer’s dream, but in the last breath it suddenly diverges: "from off you and hand you on a tree."
18. The expression "lift up your head" here refers to literal decapitation.
19. What Joseph prophesies for this man is an aggravated form of the death penalty followed by exposure (cf. Deut. 21:22-23; Josh. 10:26).
20. The baker will not simply be executed, but his corpse will be impaled and exposed.
21. Why the singular, "the bird" in v.19?
22. The mention of "birds" eating the flesh was according to Egyptian belief as way of preventing the spirit of the deceased from resting in the afterlife.
23. Amnesties on the birthday of the Pharaoh are mentioned in late Egyptian texts.
24. More frequently they were granted on the anniversary of his accession.
25. The Pharaoh who reinstated the cupbearer and executed the baker was Amenemhet I as is clear from chapter 41:12-14).
26. His son, Sesostris I was the Pharaoh who elevated Joseph to Vizier.
27. Joseph became Vizier two years later in 1665 BC which was also the first year of plenty/abundance.
28. So Joseph prophecies concerning the fate of these two officials came to pass exactly as he had predicted it would—"on the third day."
29. The cupbearer completely forgot Joseph and his plea (cf. v.14).
30. So Joseph is left in prison with no immediate prospect of release.
31. But inwardly he has the promise that is implicit in his dreams of ascendancy.
32. Trusting in people is futile.
33. God was still with him, and it would take another full two years before Joseph would see the vindication of his faith (cf. 41:1).
34. Divine timing is everything.
35. Joseph would be the recipient of the promise associated with the imperative of Jam. 4:13 "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you," and 1Pet. 5:6 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time."
36. The incredible outcome would once again center around dreams!