Genesis 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._ The butler - not only the cup-bearer, but overseer of the royal vineyards, as well as the cellars, having, probably, some hundreds of people under him. It was an office similar to that which was held by Nehemiah in the Persian court (Nehemiah 2:1); and the holder of it in Assyria was called Rab-shakeh. In some isolated passages of Herodotus and Plutarch, it is asserted that the vine was not cultivated in ancient Egypt. But these historians were misinformed, as the sculptured monuments, many of which are as old as the time of Joseph, afford indisputable evidence of the culture of the vine at an early period in that country. Wilkinson (vol. 2:, p. 143), Champollion (p. 51), Rosellini (vol. 2:, p. 365), have severally described scenes rep

1._And it came to pass after these things_. We have already seen, that when Joseph was in bonds, God cared for him. For whence arose the relaxation afforded him, but from the divine favor? Therefore, God, before he opened the door for his servant’s deliverance, entered into the very prison to sustain him with his strength. But a far more illustrious benefit follows; for he is not only liberated from prison, but exalted to the highest degree of honor. In the meantime, the providence of God led the holy man through wonderful and most intricate paths. The butler and baker of the king are cast into the prison; Joseph expounds to them their dreams. Restoration to his office having been promised to the butler, some light of hope beams upon the holy captive; for the butler agreed, after he should have returned to his post, to become the advocate for Joseph’s pardon. But, again, that hope was sp...

1-19 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. Joseph had compassion towards them. Let us be concerned for the sadness of our brethren's countenances. It is often a relief to those that are in trouble to be noticed. Also learn to look into the causes of our own sorrow. Is there a good reason? Is there not comfort sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Joseph was careful to ascribe the glory to God. The chief butler's dream foretold his advancement. The chief baker's dream his death. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought the baker no better tidings. And thus ministers are but interpreters; they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is: if they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Joseph does not reflect upon his bret...

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. _The chief butler tells his dream_, 9-11. _Joseph interprets it_, 12, 13. _Gives a slight sketch of his history to the chief butler, and_ _begs him to think upon him when restored to his office_, 14, 15....

- Joseph in Prison An uncomplaining patience and an unhesitating hopefulness keep the breast of Joseph in calm tranquillity. There is a God above, and that God is with him. His soul swerves not from this feeling. Meanwhile, new and distinguished prisoners are introduced into his place of confinement. 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

EXPOSITION GENESIS 40:1 AND IT CAME TO PASS (literally, _and it was_) AFTER THESE THINGS (literally, _words_, _i.e._ after the transactions just recorded), THAT THE BUTLER—מָשְׁקֶה, the hiph. part. of שָׁקָה, to drink, signifies one who causes to drink, hence cupbearer (cf. Genesis 40:11)—OF THE KING OF EGYPT AND HIS BAKER—the אֹפֶה (part. of אָפָה, to cook or bake) was the officer who prepared the king's food. The monuments show that the Egyptians had carried the arts of the confectioner and cook to a high degree of perfection—HAD OFFENDED (or sinned against) THEIR LORD (literally, _against, _the preposition being repeated) the king

AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS,.... 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. The Targum of Jonathan says, that they consulted to put poison into his drink and food; which, it is not improbable, considering their business and office, they might be charged with; at least it is much more probable than what Jarchi suggests, that the one put a fly into his cup, and the other a little stone or sand into his bread....

CHAPTER 40 JOSEPH THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS _ 1. The fellow prisoners (Genesis 40:1)_ 2. The dream of the chief butler (Genesis 40:9) 3. The interpretation (Genesis 40:12) 4. Joseph's request (Genesis 40:14) 5. The dream of the chief baker (Genesis 40:16) 6. The interpretation (Genesis 40:18) 7. The fulfilment (Genes

GENESIS 40. JOSEPH INTERPRETS THEIR DREAMS TO PHARAOH'S TWO IMPRISONED OFFICERS. This chapter is from E, with harmonistic additions and touches from J (Genesis 40:3_ b_, Genesis 40:5_ b_, Genesis 40:15_ b_). The two officers are in custody, till their case is decided, in the captain's house (not in the prison or Round House as Genesis 40:3_ b_ states). Joseph waits on them, not as a prisoner but as the captain's slave. They attach great importance to dreams, and with their fate hanging in the balance, are troubled that they can consult no interpreter. Joseph piously reminds them that interpretations belong to God, and inter

The two Officers in Prison 1. _after these things_ A vague definition of time: see Genesis 15:1; Genesis 22:1; Genesis 39:7. _the butler_ In Genesis 40:2_; Genesis 40:20_he is called "the chief butler." The word is rendered in Nehemiah 1:11, "cupbearer," an officer who looked after the king's cellar. _his baker_ In Genesis 40:2;...