GENESIS 40

In this chapter we learn of the events that transpired during the time Joseph was in prison.

Literary Considerations

Chapter 40 can be shown to have the following symmetrical organization:

                                                Figure 1: Structure of Genesis 40

    A. Dreaming in Jail (vv. 1-8)

            B. Cupbearer's Dream (vv. 9-11)

                    C. Interpretation (vv. 12-13)

                            D. Joseph: “Remember me” (vv. 14-15)

            B'. Baker's Dream (vv. 16-17)

                    C'. Interpretation (vv. 18-19)

    A'. Dreams Fulfilled (vv. 20-22)

                            D'. Joseph was not remembered (v. 23)

A number of commentators have noted that the phrase “lift the head” can mean either “to look upon with favor” as in Section C or “lift the head off” as its intended meaning in C'.

Barnhouse's observation that “The offenses of a butler and baker were planned with the welfare of Joseph in mind” is confirmed in the two conclusions (D and D') in Figure 1.

There is a sort of symmetry to the five appearances of the word group “interpretation/interpreted” in the chapter in sections A, C, B', C', A'.

And finally, some key words appear in this chapter a symbolically significant number of times: Joseph (10x, a “perfect number”), pharaoh (12x, “those people God chooses to work through”), cupbearer (8x, “a surfeit of perfection”), and baker (6x, “imperfection”).

Specific Comments

Kline says in reference to Genesis 40:4, “Joseph's trust was over administrative affairs in the prison; superiority over the high-ranking prisoners was not implied (cf. 41:12).”

“A foreboding or unclear dream from the preceding night can be troubling at break of day (Gen 20:8; 40:6; 41:8).” (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery)

“The Egyptian officials were dismayed by their lacked access to their favorite dream interpreters [see v. 8] but the Hebrew slave rejected such professionals as charlatans.” (Kline)

“Occurring in the Bible as often as it does, the figure of three is an evocative image, rich with connotations...Thus the dreams Joseph interprets for Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker are rife with quantities of three (Gen 40:10), and Jonah is stuck in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights (Jon 1:17). But the significance of three as a literary motif is not purely arbitrary...three consecutive occurrences of an event serve as a rhetorical signal indicating special significance.” (DBI)

Hunt states, “Two dreams (Gen 37) depicted Joseph's promotion over his brothers. Also, Pharaoh's butler and baker each dreamed (Gen 40) about how Pharaoh would lift their heads [cf. vv. 13, 19]. Finally, Pharaoh had two dreams regarding the future of Egypt. This doubling of messages may have enabled the mantic [i.e. trained interpreter] to decode the message more easily.”

Bruckner says, “In the Pentateuch, hesed ['unrelenting love'] (21x) is a virtue in human affairs (Gen 20:13; 21:23; 24:49; 40:14; 47:29). It is declared and expanded by God as the central feature of his name (Yahweh), his promises and his active reputation...Mispat ('justice') is also understood as part of hesed (see Gen 39:21; 40:13-14...).”

“His very natural plea for help (14) fell on deaf, or rather forgetful, ears (23). Thus once again it is emphasized that God and God alone controlled Joseph's affairs.” (Payne)

Kline says regarding Birds will eat the flesh [v. 19], “The impaling and devouring of the corpse was an extreme aggravation of the penalty and disgrace (cf. Dt. 21:22), particularly for an Egyptian courtier, for whom mummification and a splendid sepulchre was of paramount concern.”

Applications

Verses 2-3 Raymond Brown sees a parallel between Jesus punished alongside two others, one of whom will be hanged on a tree and the other one elevated.

Verse 4 Remember that the two prisoners held high positions in the government and might be pardoned later, so Joseph is not a mere servant in the prison.

Verses 6-7 Look at how God provided a “teachable moment” which Joseph took advantage of, when he could have just ignored the situation.

Verse 8 Egyptians held schools of dream interpretation. Joseph, by contrast, says that it is in God's hands, but proceeds to act as if he knows that he is the one to whom God will reveal the secrets. It demonstrates that he has not lost his faith, and perhaps that he has tempered his earlier egotism and is giving God his due.

Verse 14 Intervention did not come by scheming, but eventually by God's will. Notice that Joseph did not tell the whole story (his own brothers sold him) for fear that it would raise suspicions concerning Joseph's innocence. Is this partial truth the same as lying?

Verse 16 People seek prophecies of the future but are disappointed when the answer is not a favorable one for them. This is like the Israelites looking forward to the Day of the LORD.

Verses 18-19 There was the temptation for Joseph to tell the baker what he wanted to hear (he was an influential man) in the same manner that some preachers like to “tickle the ears” of the congregation. Notice Joseph's brusque manner and apparent lack of interest in the baker, compared to his conversation with the wine server. What do you think about it? Joseph's concern seems to be mainly about himself.

Verse 23 We may tend to blame the steward for forgetting Joseph in the excitement of his good fortune. But what about us forgetting to thank God when he has answered our prayers?