Genesis 40:20. Pharaoh's birth-day— The antiquity of celebrating birth-days is hence observable. Some think that the phrase lifted up the head, as applied to the elevation of one officer and the destruction of the other, is ambiguous, like the word tollo in the Latin tongue, under which Cicero is said to have concealed his advice for putting Augustus to death, writing to his friend, tollendum esse juvenem. read more
20-22. it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday—This was a holiday season, celebrated at court with great magnificence and honored by a free pardon to prisoners. Accordingly, the issue happened to the butler and baker, as Joseph had foretold. Doubtless, he felt it painful to communicate such dismal tidings to the baker; but he could not help announcing what God had revealed to him; and it was for the honor of the true God that he should speak plainly. read more
Joseph interprets the Dreams of Pharaoh’s Officers1. Butler] rather, ’cupbearer,’ a high court official: cp. Nehemiah 1:11; Nehemiah 2:1. Baker] rather, ’cook.’ It is conjectured that these officials were accused of plotting to poison Pharaoh.8. No professional interpreter was available: see on Genesis 41:8. Do not interpretations, etc.] i.e. It may be that God who sent the dreams will give me the interpretation of them. 9-11. Grape juice mixed with water is used as a refreshing drink in the... read more
(20) He lifted up the head.—From its use in this verse some have supposed that the phrase must mean “to put them on their trial,” or “take account of them” (whence the margin reckon). More probably the words are used to point out the exact fulfilment of Joseph’s interpretation of their dreams. read more
CHAPTER 40 Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams 1. The fellow prisoners (Genesis 40:1-8 ) 2. The dream of the chief butler (Genesis 40:9-11 ) 3. The interpretation (Genesis 40:12-13 ) 4. Joseph’s request (Genesis 40:14-15 ) 5. The dream of the chief baker (Genesis 40:16-17 ) 6. The interpretation (Genesis 40:18-19 ) 7. The fulfilment (Genesis 40:20-22 ) 8. Joseph forgotten (Genesis 40:23 ) He was reckoned among the transgressors. To the one he spoke the word concerning life, while... read more
40:20 And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh’s {h} 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.(h) Which was an occasion to appoint his officers, and to examine those who were in prison. read more
JOSEPH, INTERPRETER OF DREAMS Two men are seen now to be committed to Joseph's care in the prison, the cup bearer and the baker of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. It is not told us for what offenses they were imprisoned, but they had incurred Pharaoh's anger and this was enough (v.2). The captain of the bodyguard committed them to Joseph. We may wonder if this captain was Potipher, who is said in chapter 39:1 to have this position, but it is possible there was more than one captain. After some time... read more
JOSEPH ’S HISTORY DISPENSATIONAL ASPECT OF JACOB’S HISTORY Following F.W. Grant in the Numerical Bible, the life of Jacob gives as its lesson the story of that discipline by which the Spirit of God brings us from weakness to power, from nature’s strength to that wholesome weakness in which alone is strength. But for this, natural strength must be crippled, which is provided for in two ways: in allowing us to realize the power of another nature (Esau) and in the direct dealing of God with our... read more
Joseph In Prison Gen 39:20 We now know enough of the history of Joseph, to see that he had not done anything worthy of imprisonment and pain. Let us keep steadily in mind the fact that there are false accusations in human life. There is a tendency to believe charges against men, without patiently and carefully going into particulars, without making such moral inquest into them as ought alone to justify our belief in any charge that may be made against a human creature. We are prone to say,... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 40:20-23
"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 the head of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand; but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him."Such events demonstrated conclusively the standing that Joseph... read more