King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which [were] bound in the prison.
Complete Jewish Bible:
One night the two of them, the king of Egypt's cupbearer and his baker, there in prison, both had dreams, each dream with its own meaning.
Berean Standard Bible:
both of these men—the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning.
American Standard Version:
And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they dreamed{H2492} a dream{H2472} both of them{H8147}, each man{H376} his dream{H2472} in one{H259} night{H3915}, each man{H376} according to the interpretation{H6623} of his dream{H2472}, the butler{H8248} and the baker{H644} of the king{H4428} of Egypt{H4714}, which were bound{H631} in the prison{H1004}{H5470}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 41:11
- And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
Daniel 2:1
- ¶ And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
Daniel 2:3
- And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
Esther 6:1
- ¶ On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
Daniel 4:19
- ¶ Then Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream [be] to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
Daniel 4:5
- I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
Genesis 20:3
- ¶ But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 40:5
**Genesis 40:5** is set within the broader narrative of Joseph's experiences in Egypt. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph finds favor with Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, but is then falsely accused of impropriety by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Providence:** Despite Joseph's unjust circumstances, God's hand is evident in guiding events. The theme suggests that God is at work even in the darkest of times and places.
2. **Interpretation of Dreams:** This verse introduces the motif of dream interpretation, a recurring element in Joseph's story. Dreams are depicted as messages from God that require special insight to understand.
3. **Justice and Injustice:** The butler and the baker, both servants of the king, are imprisoned, highlighting the unpredictable nature of human justice, a theme that resonates throughout Joseph's life.
4. **Hope and Foreshadowing:** The dreams of the butler and baker foreshadow future events and offer hope to Joseph, suggesting that his fortunes might change.
**Historical Context:**
The story is set during the period when the Hebrews were living in Egypt, which scholars generally place in the late Bronze Age (c. 1550-1200 BCE). The narrative reflects the cultural practices of the time, including the importance of dreams in ancient Near Eastern societies. Dreams were often considered to be divine communications and were taken seriously by rulers and their courts.
In the context of the ancient world, imprisonment of high-ranking officials like the butler and the baker would have been a significant event, indicating political intrigue or serious offenses. The presence of foreigners like Joseph in such high positions was not uncommon in Egyptian society, which was known for its relatively cosmopolitan court life and administration.
The verse also reflects the social hierarchy of Egypt, with the butler and baker serving in the king's court, and the importance of interpreters and wise men in the royal entourage, a role that Joseph would eventually fill for Pharaoh himself.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2492
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלַם
Transliteration: châlam
Pronunciation: khaw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream; (cause to) dream(-er), be in good liking, recover. - Strong's Number: H2472
There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲלוֹם
Transliteration: chălôwm
Pronunciation: khal-ome'
Description: or (shortened) חֲלֹם; from חָלַם; a dream; dream(-er). - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - Strong's Number: H3915
There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לַיִל
Transliteration: layil
Pronunciation: lah'-yil
Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season). - 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. - Strong's Number: H8248
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁקָה
Transliteration: shâqâh
Pronunciation: shaw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה. - Strong's Number: H644
There are 1966 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָפָה
Transliteration: ʼâphâh
Pronunciation: aw-faw'
Description: a primitive root; to cook, especially to bake; bake(-r, (-meats)). - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. - Strong's Number: H631
There are 565 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָסַר
Transliteration: ʼâçar
Pronunciation: aw-sar'
Description: a primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle; bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H5470
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֹהַר
Transliteration: çôhar
Pronunciation: so'-har
Description: from the same as סַהַר; a dungeon (as surrounded by walls); prison.