Genesis: Chapter 40 Summary & Analysis

Sometime later, Pharaoh throws two of his officials—the chief cupbearer and chief baker—into prison, where Joseph is put in charge of them. One night, both officials have troubling dreams, which they ask Joseph to interpret for them. The chief cupbearer dreamed about a grapevine with three branches; he pressed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup and gave the cup to Pharaoh. Joseph says that the three branches represent three days. After three days pass, Pharaoh will restore the official to his role as cupbearer.

The chief baker dreamed that he carried three cake baskets on his head, and the top basket contained various baked goods for Pharaoh, which birds ate. Joseph says that the three baskets represent three days, and that after three days have passed, Pharaoh will behead the baker, and birds will eat his flesh. Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, the chief cupbearer is restored to favor and the chief baker is hanged, just as Joseph had said. However, though the cupbearer had promised to speak to Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf, he forgets.