Genesis 40:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yosef said to him, "Here is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.

Berean Standard Bible:

Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three branches are three days.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Joseph^{H3130} said^{H559} unto him, This is the interpretation^{H6623} of it: The three^{H7969} branches^{H8299} are three^{H7969} days^{H3117}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 40:12

Genesis 40:12 is a part of the narrative involving Joseph, who has been sold into slavery in Egypt. The verse is situated within a larger story where Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker while they are imprisoned with him.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Interpretation:** Joseph attributes his ability to interpret dreams to God, highlighting the theme of divine wisdom and guidance.
2. **Hope and Redemption:** The interpretation Joseph gives to the cupbearer, which this verse is a part of, suggests a near-future positive outcome, offering hope amidst adversity.
3. **Foreshadowing:** This interaction serves as a prelude to Joseph's eventual rise to power when he successfully interprets Pharaoh's dreams, leading to his role as second-in-command of Egypt.

**Historical Context:**
- **Joseph's Imprisonment:** At this point in the narrative, Joseph has been wrongfully accused by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison. Despite his circumstances, he gains the trust of the prison warden and is put in charge of other prisoners.
- **Egyptian Society:** The story reflects the importance of dream interpretation in ancient Egyptian culture. High-ranking officials like the cupbearer and baker would have been deeply concerned about the meaning of their dreams.
- **Joseph's Gift:** The verse underscores Joseph's gift of interpreting dreams, which is a recurring motif in his life, playing a crucial role in his journey from favored son to slave to powerful administrator.

In summary, Genesis 40:12 is part of a pivotal moment in Joseph's story, illustrating his God-given gift of dream interpretation, which eventually leads to his release from prison and rise to prominence in Egypt. It reflects the ancient Egyptian belief in the significance of dreams and sets the stage for Joseph's future role in saving Egypt and his family from famine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3130
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹסֵף
   Transliteration: Yôwçêph
   Pronunciation: yo-safe'
   Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6623
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פִּתְרוֹן
   Transliteration: pithrôwn
   Pronunciation: pith-rone'
   Description: or פִּתְרֹן; from פָּתַר; interpretation (of a dream); interpretation.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8299
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂרִיג
   Transliteration: sârîyg
   Pronunciation: saw-reeg'
   Description: from שָׂרַג; a tendril (as entwining); branch.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.