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.
What does Genesis 40:1 mean?
It was not so much the prison that made the butler and baker sad, as their dreams. God has more ways than one to sadden the spirits.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 40:1-4 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 40:1
The chief butler and chief baker, high officials in Pharaoh's court, come under the displeasure of their sovereign. "In the house of the captain of the guards." It appears that this officer's establishment contained the keep in which Joseph and these criminals were confined. "Charged Joseph with them." As Joseph was his slave, and these were state prisoners, he appointed him to wait upon them. It is probable that Joseph's character had been somewhat re-established with him during his residence in the prison.
Key words
- after
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And it came to pass after these things,.
- things
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And it came to pass after these things,.
- butler
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After Joseph had been accused and cast into prison, where he had been for some time: that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt; committed some fault, at least were accused of one, which raised his displeasure at them.
Context in Genesis 40
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Genesis 40 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the Joseph narrative and Israel’s descent into Egypt. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Glossary
- Egypt Place
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The land of the Nile and the pyramids, the oldest kingdom of which we have any record, holds a place of great significance in Scripture. Modern identification: Ain Shams.