18, 19. Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation—The purport was that in three days his execution should be ordered. The language of Joseph describes minutely one form of capital punishment that prevailed in Egypt; namely, that the criminal was decapitated and then his headless body gibbeted on a tree by the highway till it was gradually devoured by the ravenous birds. 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
(16, 17) Three white baskets.—Rashi explains the phrase of baskets of wicker-work, but most commentators agree in rendering it “baskets of white bread.” The “bakemeats” were all preparations of pastry and confectionery, as throughout the Bible meat does not mean flesh, but food. (Comp. Luke 24:41; John 21:5.)On my head.—The Egyptian men carried Burdens on their heads; the women on their shoulders (Herod. ii. 35).Bakemeats.—Heb., All sorts of work for Pharaoh the work of a baker. read more
(19) Shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee.—In Genesis 40:13 the lifting up of the butler’s head meant his elevation to his former rank. Here there is the significant addition “from off thee,” implying that he would be beheaded, and his body publicly exposed to ignominy. 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
40:16 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 {f} white baskets on my head:(f) That is made of white twigs, or as some read, baskets full of holes. read more
40:18 And Joseph answered and said, {g} This [is] the interpretation thereof: The three baskets [are] three days:(g) He shows that the ministers of God should not conceal that, which God reveals to them. 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
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 40:16
16. I had three white baskets—The circumstances mentioned exactly describe his duties, which, notwithstanding numerous assistants, he performed with his own hands. white—literally, "full of holes"; that is, wicker baskets. The meats were carried to table upon the head in three baskets, one piled upon the other; and in the uppermost, the bakemeats. And in crossing the open courts, from the kitchen to the dining rooms, the removal of the viands by a vulture, eagle, ibis, or other rapacious bird,... read more