Genesis 40:4

_AND THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD CHARGED JOSEPH WITH THEM, AND HE SERVED THEM: AND THEY CONTINUED A SEASON IN WARD._ The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them - not the keeper, though he was must favourably disposed, but Potiphar himself, who, it would seem, was by this time satisfied of the perfect innocence of the young Hebrew, though, probably, to prevent the exposure of his family, he deemed it prudent to detain him in confinement (see Psalms 37:5). [The Septuagint, however, seems to have read a different Hebrew text here; for, instead of "the captain of the guard," they translate ho archidesmootees; Vulgate, custos carceris, the keeper of the prison.] THEY CONTINUED A SEASON IN WARD - literally, days-how long, is uncertain; but as they were called to account on the king's birthday, it has been supposed that their offence had been committed on the prece

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...

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 thus had been one whole year in prison....

- 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 THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD CHARGED JOSEPH WITH THEM,.... Committed them to his care and custody, he being very probably recommended to him by the keeper of the prison for his prudence and fidelity; and if it was Potiphar, he knew his character full well, and might be now reconciled unto him, as having had a more full and clear account of the affair between him and his wife from the keeper of the prison; and therefore though he might not think fit for his own and his wife's reputation to remove him from prison as yet, nevertheless might be inclined to do him what service he could, as well as honour, as this was, to have two such state prisoners committed to his care. Some render it, "he committed Joseph with them" x; to be with them, as Jarchi interprets it; they were put together, not merely for the sake of company, but that Joseph might wait upon them, which might be beneficial as wel...

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;...

A SEASON— _They were days,_ ימים, _iamim,_ the Hebrew has it; that is, say some, a whole year. It is thought by the generality of commentators, that the _captain of the guard_ here mentioned, was Potiphar: it is a point of no great consequence, but I should rather conceive that he was a different person. Houbigant denies that _iamim,_ singly, ever denotes a year. See his Prolegomena. REFLECTIONS.—The favour of princes is an uncertain possession. These two chief officers of Pharaoh experience a sad reverse of fortune, from a palace to a prison. They little thought for whose sake they were brought thither: it was for Joseph's, and into his custody they were committed. The links of the chain of providence are strangely connected, but in wisdom all....