Genesis 40:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The captain of the guard charged Yosef to be with them, and he became their attendant while they remained in prison.

Berean Standard Bible:

The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time,

American Standard Version:

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he ministered unto them: and they continued a season in ward.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the captain^{H8269} of the guard^{H2876} charged^{H6485} Joseph^{H3130} with them, and he served^{H8334} them: and they continued a season^{H3117} in ward^{H4929}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 40:4

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence:** The verse reflects the theme of God's providence in the life of Joseph, despite his unjust imprisonment. Even in this difficult situation, Joseph is placed in a position to serve others, which ultimately leads to his eventual rise to power.
- **Servanthood and Leadership:** Joseph's role as a servant to the cupbearer and baker showcases his leadership qualities, as he handles his responsibilities with integrity and competence, setting the stage for his future role in Pharaoh's court.
- **Testing and Character Development:** The verse is part of a larger narrative where Joseph's character is tested and refined. His time in prison serves as a period of character development, preparing him for the challenges ahead.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Imprisonment in Egypt:** The events in Genesis 40:4 occur during the period when Joseph is imprisoned in Egypt, having been falsely accused of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife. This verse is set within the broader context of Joseph's early life in Egypt, which includes his initial success as a manager in Potiphar's house and his subsequent fall into disgrace.
- **Egyptian Court Life:** The captain of the guard, Potiphar, was an officer of Pharaoh, indicating that Joseph's imprisonment was within the context of Egyptian court life. The mention of a cupbearer and a baker suggests the presence of a sophisticated court system with various officials who had direct access to the Pharaoh.
- **Dream Interpretation:** This verse precedes the significant event of Joseph interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker, which demonstrates his gift for dream interpretation and eventually leads to his release from prison and elevation to a position of power under Pharaoh.
- **Cultural Practices:** The verse also reflects the ancient practice of imprisoning individuals who had fallen out of favor or were accused of crimes against those in power. The "season in ward" indicates a period of confinement that could vary in length, depending on the circumstances and the ruler's discretion.

In summary, Genesis 40:4 is part of the narrative that illustrates Joseph's journey from prison to prominence, highlighting themes of divine providence, servanthood, leadership, and character development within the historical context of ancient Egyptian society and its court system.

*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: H8269
   There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׂר
   Transliteration: sar
   Pronunciation: sar
   Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2876
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טַבָּח
   Transliteration: ṭabbâch
   Pronunciation: tab-bawkh'
   Description: from טָבַח; properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food); cook, guard.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6485
   There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּקַד
   Transliteration: pâqad
   Pronunciation: paw-kad'
   Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8334
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁרַת
   Transliteration: shârath
   Pronunciation: shaw-rath'
   Description: a primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to; minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on.
   
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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4929
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁמָר
   Transliteration: mishmâr
   Pronunciation: mish-mawr'
   Description: from שָׁמַר; a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely); diligence, guard, office, prison, ward, watch.