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Genesis Chapter Study

Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison

Genesis 40 (KJV)

Genesis 40 follows Joseph while he remains imprisoned in Egypt. Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker are placed under Joseph's care, and both men receive troubling dreams. Joseph points them to God as the true source of interpretation and faithfully explains what each dream means. The chapter shows God's wisdom working through Joseph, even while Joseph is still waiting for deliverance.

What You'll Learn

• Why Pharaoh's butler and baker were placed in prison
• How Joseph continued serving faithfully while imprisoned
• Why Joseph said interpretations belong to God
• What the chief butler's dream meant
• What the chief baker's dream meant
• How both interpretations were fulfilled exactly
• Why Joseph asked the butler to remember him
• How the butler forgot Joseph after being restored
• What Genesis 40 teaches about waiting on God's timing
• How God was preparing Joseph for Genesis 41

Genesis 40 teaches that God is still working in seasons of waiting, using even forgotten places to prepare His people for His appointed purpose.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

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.

Genesis 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

Genesis 40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Genesis 40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

Genesis 40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Genesis 40:6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.

Genesis 40:7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?

Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

Genesis 40:9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;

Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

Genesis 40:11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

Genesis 40:12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:

Genesis 40:13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

Genesis 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

Genesis 40:15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.

Genesis 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:

Genesis 40:17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

Genesis 40:18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

Genesis 40:19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

Genesis 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

Genesis 40:21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

Genesis 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Genesis 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

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.

Study: The chapter begins with two royal servants offending Pharaoh. Scripture does not explain the exact offense, but their failure was serious enough to place them under judgment and bring them into the same prison where Joseph was being held.

Genesis 40:2

And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

Study: Pharaoh's anger falls on both officials. These were not ordinary servants but trusted officers in Pharaoh's household, making their offense especially serious.

Genesis 40:3

And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Study: The two officials are placed in the same prison where Joseph is bound. What may appear to be a simple prison assignment is actually part of God's providential plan to bring Joseph closer to Pharaoh's court.

Genesis 40:4

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

Study: Joseph is given responsibility over the two men, and he serves them. Even in prison, Joseph remains faithful, useful, and trustworthy in the place God has allowed him to be.

Genesis 40:5

And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Study: Both men dream on the same night, and each dream has its own meaning. God is about to reveal future events through Joseph, showing that His wisdom reaches even into a prison cell.

Genesis 40:6

And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.

Study: Joseph notices their sadness. Though he has his own suffering, he is still attentive to the burdens of others. His compassion opens the way for God to use him.

Genesis 40:7

And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?

Study: Joseph asks a simple but caring question. His concern for their condition shows that faithful service includes noticing people and responding with compassion.

Genesis 40:8

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

Study: Joseph immediately points to God as the source of interpretation. He does not claim wisdom for himself but acknowledges that true understanding belongs to the Lord.

Genesis 40:9

And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;

Study: The chief butler begins by describing a vine. The image connects closely to his former service, where he handled Pharaoh's cup and drink.

Genesis 40:10

And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

Study: The dream moves quickly from branches to blossoms to ripe grapes. The rapid growth points to a near fulfillment, which Joseph will soon explain as three days.

Genesis 40:11

And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

Study: The butler sees himself restored to his former duty, placing Pharaoh's cup back into Pharaoh's hand. The dream contains a picture of restoration before Joseph gives the interpretation.

Genesis 40:12

And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:

Study: Joseph gives the interpretation plainly. The three branches represent three days, showing that the meaning of the dream is specific and near.

Genesis 40:13

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

Study: Joseph announces restoration. The butler will be lifted up and returned to his former position, serving Pharaoh as he had before.

Genesis 40:14

But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

Study: Joseph asks the butler to remember him when he is restored. Joseph trusts God, but he also honestly desires deliverance from unjust imprisonment.

Genesis 40:15

For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.

Study: Joseph explains his innocence. He was taken from his homeland and has done nothing worthy of prison. His words reveal the deep injustice of his situation.

Genesis 40:16

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:

Study: The baker is encouraged by the butler's favorable interpretation and shares his own dream. Yet a hopeful setting does not guarantee a favorable message.

Genesis 40:17

And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

Study: The baker sees food meant for Pharaoh being eaten by birds. Unlike the butler's dream, the baker's dream contains imagery of loss, exposure, and judgment.

Genesis 40:18

And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

Study: Joseph again gives a direct interpretation. The three baskets, like the three branches, represent three days, but the outcome will be very different.

Genesis 40:19

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

Study: Joseph delivers a hard interpretation honestly. The baker will not be restored but judged. Joseph's faithfulness includes speaking the truth even when the message is difficult.

Genesis 40:20

And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

Study: On the third day, Pharaoh's birthday feast becomes the occasion for both interpretations to be fulfilled. God's revealed word comes to pass at the exact appointed time.

Genesis 40:21

And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

Study: The butler is restored exactly as Joseph said. He returns to his position and once again places Pharaoh's cup in Pharaoh's hand.

Genesis 40:22

But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Study: The baker's judgment also occurs exactly as Joseph interpreted. The fulfillment of both dreams confirms that the interpretation came from God, not from human guessing.

Genesis 40:23

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

Study: The chapter ends with disappointment. The restored butler forgets Joseph, and Joseph remains in prison. Yet God has not forgotten him. This delay becomes part of the timing that will bring Joseph before Pharaoh in the next chapter.

Genesis 40 begins with Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker being placed in prison after offending the king of Egypt. They are confined in the same place where Joseph is bound, and the captain of the guard assigns Joseph to serve them. Though Joseph remains imprisoned, he continues to act faithfully and responsibly.

One night both men receive dreams that trouble them. Joseph notices their sadness and asks what is wrong. When they explain that there is no interpreter, Joseph points them to God and says that interpretations belong to Him. The butler shares his dream of a vine with three branches and Pharaoh's cup in his hand. Joseph explains that within three days Pharaoh will restore him to his former position.

Encouraged by the favorable interpretation, the baker tells Joseph his dream of three baskets on his head, with birds eating from the top basket. Joseph explains that within three days Pharaoh will judge him, and he will be executed. On Pharaoh's birthday, both interpretations come to pass exactly as Joseph said.

Joseph asks the butler to remember him and speak to Pharaoh about his unjust imprisonment. However, the chapter closes with the butler forgetting Joseph. Though this seems like another delay, Genesis 40 shows that God is still working behind the scenes, preparing the moment when Joseph will be brought before Pharaoh.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being faithful even when I feel forgotten. Help me to serve You well in every season, including the seasons of waiting. Give me compassion to notice the burdens of others, humility to point every gift back to You, and patience to trust Your timing. Remind me that delays are not proof that You have forgotten me. Strengthen my faith, guide my steps, and help me remain faithful until Your appointed time. In Jesus' name, Amen.

• Read Genesis 40 again and note every place Joseph serves faithfully
• Memorize Genesis 40:8
• Ask God to help you trust Him in a current waiting season
• Look for one person this week who may need encouragement
• Practice giving God credit for the gifts and opportunities He has given you
• Pray for patience when answers seem delayed
• Thank God that He never forgets His people

Genesis 40 records Joseph's interaction with Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker while he remains imprisoned in Egypt. After both men receive troubling dreams, Joseph explains that interpretations belong to God and accurately reveals the meaning of each dream. The butler will be restored to Pharaoh's service, while the baker will be judged. Three days later, both interpretations are fulfilled exactly as Joseph said. Although Joseph asks the butler to remember him, the chapter ends with the butler forgetting Joseph. Genesis 40 teaches that God remains at work in seasons of waiting and that His timing is never accidental.

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