TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
Complete Jewish Bible
Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, so I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and gave the cup to Pharaoh."
Berean Standard Bible
Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into his cup, and placed the cup in his hand.”
American Standard Version
and Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.
World English Bible Messianic
Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I had Pharaohs cup in mine hande, and I tooke the grapes, and wrung the into Pharaohs cup, and I gaue the cup into Pharaohs hand.
Young's Literal Translation
and Pharaoh's cup is in my hand, and I take the grapes and press them into the cup of Pharaoh, and I give the cup into the hand of Pharaoh.'
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In the KJVVerse 1,184 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Genesis 40 verses 5–19
5 ¶ 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.
6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?
8 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.
9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
Observe, I. The special providence of God, which filled the heads of these two prisoners with unusual dreams, such as made extraordinary impressions upon them, and carried with them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note, God has immediate access to the spirits of men, which he can make serviceable to his own purposes whenever he pleases, quite beyond the intention of those concerned. To him all hearts are open, and anciently he spoke not only to his own people, but to others, in dreams, Job 33:15. Things to come were thus foretold, but very obscurely.
II. The impression which was made upon these prisoners by their dreams (Gen 40:6): They were sad. It was not the prison that made them sad (they were pretty well used to that, and perhaps lived jovially there), but the dream. Note, God has more ways than one to sadden the spirits of those that are to be made sad. Those sinners that are hardy enough under outward troubles, and will not yield to them, yet God can find out a way to punish; he can take off their wheels, by wounding their spirits, and laying loads upon them.
III. Joseph's great tenderness and compassion towards them. He enquired with concern, Wherefore look you so sadly today? Gen 40:7. Joseph was their keeper, and in that office he was mild. Note, It becomes us to take cognizance of the sorrows even of those that are under our check. Joseph was their companion in tribulation, he was now a prisoner with them, and had been a dreamer too. Note, Communion in sufferings helps to work compassion towards those that do suffer. Let us learn hence, 1. To concern ourselves in the sorrows and troubles of others, and to enquire into the reason of the sadness of our brethren's countenances; we should be often considering the tears of the oppressed, Ecc 4:1. It is some relief to those that are in trouble to be taken notice of. 2. To enquire into the causes of our own sorrow, "Wherefore do I look so sadly? Is there a reason? Is it a good reason? Is there not a reason for comfort sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? Why art thou cast down, O my soul?"
IV. The dreams themselves, and the interpretation of them. That which troubled these prisoners was that being confined they could not have recourse to the diviners of Egypt who pretended to interpret dreams: There is no interpreter here in the prison, Gen 40:8. Note, There are interpreters which those that are in prison and sorrow should wish to have with them, to instruct them in the meaning and design of Providence (Elihu alludes to such, when he says, If there be an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness, Job 33:23, Job 33:24), interpreters to guide their consciences, not to satisfy their curiosity. Joseph hereupon directed them which way to look: Do not interpretations belong to God? He means the God whom he worshipped, to the knowledge of whom he endeavours hereby to lead them. Note, It is God's prerogative to foretel things to come, Isa 46:10. He must therefore have the praise of all the gifts of foresight which men have, ordinary or extraordinary. Joseph premises a caveat against his own praise, and is careful to transmit the glory to God, as Daniel, Dan 2:30. Joseph suggests, "If interpretations belong to God, he is a free agent, and may communicate the power to whom he pleases, and therefore tell me your dreams." Now, 1. The chief butler's dream was a happy presage of his enlargement, and re-advancement, within three days; and so Joseph explained it to him, Gen 40:12, Gen 40:13. Probably it had been usual with him to press the full-ripe grapes immediately into Pharaoh's cup, the simplicity of that age not being acquainted with the modern arts of making the wine fine. Observe, Joseph foretold the chief butler's deliverance, but he did not foresee his own. He had long before dreamt of his own honour, and the obeisance which his brethren should do to him, with the remembrance of which he must now support himself, without any new or fresh discoveries. The visions that are for the comfort of God's saints are for a great while to come, and relate to things that are very far off, while the foresights of others, like this recorded there, look but three days before them. 2. The chief baker's dream portended his ignominious death, Gen 40:18, Gen 40:19. The happy interpretation of the other's dream encouraged him to relate his. Thus hypocrites, when they hear good things promised to good Christians, would put in for a share, though they have no part nor lot in the matter. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought him no better tidings. Ministers are but interpreters, they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is; if therefore they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Bad dreams cannot expect a good interpretation.
V. The improvement Joseph made of this opportunity to get a friend at court, Gen 40:14, Gen 40:15. He modestly bespoke the favour of the chief butler, whose preferment he foretold: But think of me when it shall be well with thee. Though the respect paid to Joseph made the prison as easy to him as a prison could be, yet none can blame him for being desirous of liberty. See here, 1. What a modest representation he makes of his own case, Gen 40:15. He does not reflect upon his brethren that sold him; he only says, I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, that is, unjustly sent thence, no matter where the fault was. Nor does he reflect on the wrong done him in this imprisonment by his mistress that was his prosecutrix, and his master that was his judge; but mildly avers his own innocence: Here have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Note, When we are called to vindicate ourselves we should carefully avoid, as much as may be, speaking ill of others. Let us be content to prove ourselves innocent, and not be fond of upbraiding others with their guilt. 2. What a modest request he makes to the chief butler: "Only, think of me. Pray do me a kindness, if it lie in your way." And his particular petition is, Bring me out of this house. He does not say, "Bring me into Pharaoh's house, get me a place at court." No, he begs for enlargement, not preferment. Note, Providence sometimes designs the greatest honours for those that least covet or expect them.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–19. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 40:11 captures a crucial detail from the chief butler's dream, recounted to Joseph in Pharaoh's prison. This verse meticulously describes the butler's act of taking grapes, pressing them into Pharaoh's cup, and then presenting the cup to the king. This seemingly simple, yet highly specific, sequence of actions forms the cornerstone of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation, signaling the butler's imminent restoration to his esteemed position of service and setting the stage for Joseph's own eventual deliverance and elevation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 40:11 provides a vivid, almost ritualistic, depiction of the chief butler's dream: "And Pharaoh's cup [was] in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand." This verse is not merely descriptive but is laden with symbolic significance, crucial for Joseph's interpretation.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs Imagery to create a vivid and tactile scene of the butler's dream, allowing the reader (and Joseph) to visualize the precise actions. The description of "taking the grapes," "pressing them," and "giving the cup" engages the senses and makes the dream feel tangible. Symbolism is pervasive, with the "cup" representing the butler's office and the "grapes" and their fresh pressing symbolizing the purity and immediacy of his restored service. The entire sequence functions as a Prophetic Type, where the specific actions in the dream serve as a direct foreshadowing of future events—the butler's literal restoration to his office. The meticulous detail in the dream also highlights Divine Revelation, as God communicates His sovereign plan through these specific, seemingly ordinary, actions.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:11 powerfully illustrates God's intricate involvement in human affairs, demonstrating His sovereignty even over the dreams of pagan officials. This seemingly minor detail within the chief butler's dream becomes a pivotal point through which God reveals His plan and orchestrates events for Joseph's ultimate elevation and the preservation of His covenant people. It underscores that God's providence extends to every circumstance, using even imprisonment and obscure details to advance His redemptive purposes. The narrative highlights that God-given gifts, like Joseph's ability to interpret dreams, are not for personal aggrandizement but are tools for service, revealing divine truth, and bringing about God's will in the world, often in unexpected ways and through faithful obedience in challenging circumstances.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 40:11 invites us to consider the profound truth that God is at work in the smallest details of our lives, even in our dreams and in seemingly insignificant encounters. Just as the chief butler's dream, with its specific actions, held immense significance for his future, so too can the seemingly ordinary moments of our lives be imbued with divine purpose. Joseph's faithfulness in interpreting the dream, even while unjustly imprisoned, serves as a powerful reminder that our God-given gifts and our calling to serve God and others are not contingent upon our circumstances. We are called to exercise faithfulness and trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He can use our obedience in obscure or difficult situations to pave the way for His extraordinary intervention and the fulfillment of His larger plan. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness to God's leading, recognizing that He often speaks and acts through unexpected means, bringing about good even from situations that seem bleak or unjust.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the preparation of fresh grape juice, rather than wine, significant in the butler's dream?
Answer: The act of pressing fresh grapes directly into the cup to serve Pharaoh suggests immediacy, purity, and the life-giving nature of the drink. Unlike fermented wine, which requires time and process, fresh juice emphasizes the butler's direct and immediate access to the king, symbolizing his swift and unblemished restoration to his position of trusted service. It highlights the specific nature of his role as a taster and server of the king's beverages, underscoring the intimate trust placed in him. This detail was crucial for Joseph's accurate interpretation, indicating a rapid return to favor rather than a prolonged period of waiting or judgment.
How does this seemingly minor detail in the butler's dream contribute to the larger narrative of Joseph's life?
Answer: This seemingly minor detail is profoundly crucial because it provides the specific imagery that Joseph, empowered by God, interprets with divine accuracy. His precise interpretation of the butler's dream, based on this detail, establishes his prophetic gift and credibility within Pharaoh's household, even while he is still a prisoner. This event directly leads to the butler remembering Joseph two years later when Pharaoh himself has troubling dreams Genesis 41:9-13. The butler's recollection of Joseph's gift ultimately paves the way for Joseph's release from prison and his astonishing elevation to second-in-command over all Egypt Genesis 41:39-41, fulfilling God's earlier prophetic dreams given to Joseph in [Genesis 37:5-11 "Joseph's Dreams of His Family Bowing Down"].
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Genesis 40:11, particularly Joseph's role in interpreting the dream and facilitating the butler's restoration, serves as a profound type or foreshadowing of Christ. Joseph, though innocent of any wrongdoing, suffers unjustly in prison, yet faithfully serves and brings revelation and hope to others, ultimately leading to their restoration. This powerfully mirrors Christ, who, though sinless, suffered and was "imprisoned" by death on the cross (Isaiah 53:5), yet through His sacrifice, He brings the ultimate revelation of God's redemptive plan and offers restoration to all humanity. The chief butler's restoration to Pharaoh's presence, facilitated by Joseph's divine insight, serves as a beautiful picture of the believer's restoration to fellowship with God, made possible solely through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, our true and ultimate deliverer. Just as Joseph was the key to the butler's freedom and return to service, so Jesus is the "key" to our spiritual freedom and our return to a right relationship with God, enabling us to serve Him in His kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). He is the one who "gives life to the world" (John 6:33), much like the fresh grapes in the dream symbolized life and restoration.