CHAPTER XL _Pharaoh's chief_ butler _and his chief_ baker, _having offended_ _their lord, are put in prison_, 1-3. _The captain of the guard gives them into the care of Joseph_, 4. _Each of them has a dream_, 5. _Joseph, seeing them sad, questions them on the subject_, 6, 7. _Their answer_, 8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:3. _WHERE JOSEPH WAS BOUND._] The place in which Joseph was now _confined_; this is what is implied in being _bound_; for, without doubt, he had his _personal_ liberty. As the butler and. the baker were state criminals they were put in the same prison with Joseph, which we learn fro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:4. _THEY CONTINUED A SEASON_] ימים _yamim_, literally _days; how long_ we cannot tell. But many suppose the word signifies a _complete year_; and as Pharaoh called them to an account on his _birthday_, Genesis 40:20, Calmet supposes they had offended on the preceding _birthday_, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:5. _EACH MAN ACCORDING TO THE INTERPRETATION_] Not like dreams in general, the disordered workings of the mind, the consequence of disease or repletion; these were dreams that had an interpretation, that is, that were _prophetic_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:6. _THEY_ WERE _SAD._] They concluded that their dreams portended something of great importance, but they could not tell _what_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:8. THERE IS _NO INTERPRETER_] They either had access to none, or those to whom they applied could give them no consistent, satisfactory meaning. Do _NOT INTERPRETATIONS BELONG TO GOD?_] God alone, the Supreme Being, knows what is in futurity; and if he have sent a significant dream... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:11. _AND I TOOK THE GRAPES AND PRESSED THEM INTO PHARAOH'S_ _CUP_] From this we find that _wine_ anciently was the _mere expressed_ _juice of the grape_, without _fermentation_. The _saky_, or cup-bearer, took the bunch, pressed the juice into the cup, and instantly delivered it int... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:12. _THE THREE BRANCHES_ ARE _THREE DAYS_] That is, The three branches signify three days; so, _this_ IS _my body_, that is, this bread _signifies_ or _represents_ my body; _this cup_ IS _my blood_, REPRESENTS _my blood_; a form of speech frequently used in the sacred writings, for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:14. _MAKE MENTION OF ME UNTO PHARAOH_] One would have supposed that the very circumstance of his restoration, according to the prediction of Joseph, would have almost necessarily prevented him from forgetting so extraordinary a person. But what have mere _courtiers_ to do either wit... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:15. _FOR INDEED I WAS STOLEN_] גנב גנבתי _gunnob gunnobti,_ _stolen, I have been stolen_-most assuredly I was stolen; _and here_ _also have I done nothing_. These were simple assertions, into the proof of which he was ready to enter if called on.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:19. _LIFT UP THY HEAD FROM OFF THEE_] Thus we find that _beheading, hanging_, and _gibbeting_, were modes of punishment among the ancient Egyptians; but the criminal was beheaded before he was hanged, and then either hanged on hooks, or by the hands. See Lamentations 5:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:20. _PHARAOH'S BIRTHDAY_] The distinguishing a birthday by a feast appears from this place to have been a very ancient custom. It probably had its origin from a correct notion of the immortality of the soul, as the _commencement_ of life must appear of great consequence to that pers... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 40:23. _YET DID NOT THE CHIEF BUTLER REMEMBER JOSEPH_] Had he mentioned the circumstance to Pharaoh, there is no doubt that Joseph's case would have been examined into, and he would in consequence have been restored to his liberty; but, owing to the ingratitude of the chief butler, he... [ Continue Reading ]