Genesis 40:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They said to him, "We each had a dream, and there's no one around who can interpret it."Yosef said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please."

Berean Standard Bible:

“We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

American Standard Version:

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell it me, I pray you.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they said^{H559} unto him, We have dreamed^{H2492} a dream^{H2472}, and there is no interpreter^{H6622} of it. And Joseph^{H3130} said^{H559} unto them, Do not interpretations^{H6623} belong to God^{H430}? tell me^{H5608} them, I pray you.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 40:8

Genesis 40:8 is a verse that captures a moment within the larger narrative of Joseph's experiences in Egypt. After being sold into slavery by his brothers and falsely accused of attempted rape by his master's wife, Joseph is imprisoned. In the ancient world, dreams were often considered to be messages from the divine, and interpreting them was a specialized skill that not everyone possessed.

In this verse, two of Pharaoh's officers—the chief butler and the chief baker—approach Joseph because they have each had a dream that is troubling them. They express their frustration that there is no one to interpret their dreams, highlighting the cultural importance of dream interpretation in understanding the will of the gods or fate. Joseph's response reflects his understanding that the ability to interpret dreams comes from God, a theme that recurs throughout his story. His question, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" not only affirms his faith in God's sovereignty over such matters but also sets the stage for his demonstration of this divine gift.

The historical context of this verse is the patriarchal period, where the Hebrew people, or proto-Israelites, were a family rather than a nation. Joseph's story, including his ability to interpret dreams, serves to illustrate the providential care of God for His people, even in difficult circumstances. It also foreshadows Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt, which will be crucial for the survival of his family during a severe famine. This moment in the narrative underscores Joseph's character as a man of faith and wisdom, whose gifts ultimately lead to his elevation and the fulfillment of a larger divine plan.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H6622
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַר
   Transliteration: pâthar
   Pronunciation: paw-thar'
   Description: a primitive root; to open up, i.e. (figuratively) interpret (a dream); interpret(-ation, -er).
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5608
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָפַר
   Transliteration: çâphar
   Pronunciation: saw-far'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate; commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.