TRV
Translation
King James Version
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;
World English Bible Messianic
Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Ioseph sayde vnto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three braunches are three dayes.
Young's Literal Translation
And Joseph saith to him, `This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days;
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In the KJVVerse 1,185 of 31,102
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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 40:12 records Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation of the chief butler's dream, a pivotal moment where the three branches of the vine are revealed to symbolize three days. This precise revelation not only demonstrates God's active involvement in Joseph's life, even amidst his unjust imprisonment, but also underscores Joseph's prophetic gift as a direct conduit for divine communication, thereby setting the stage for the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for both Joseph and the nation of Israel.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Joseph's life, specifically during his period of imprisonment in Egypt, following his unjust accusation by Potiphar's wife. Genesis chapter 40 details Joseph's encounter with Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker, both of whom are also incarcerated. The preceding verses establish Joseph's compassionate nature as he observes their distress over their troubling dreams. Joseph, recognizing that true interpretation belongs to God, invites them to share their dreams. The chief butler recounts his dream of a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and bore ripe grapes, which he then pressed into Pharaoh's cup. Genesis 40:12 is Joseph's confident and direct interpretation of this specific vision, immediately preceding the chief baker's dream and Joseph's subsequent interpretation of it, both of which are fulfilled precisely as foretold.
Historical & Cultural Context: Dream interpretation was a significant practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often associated with divine revelation or magical practices. Pharaohs and kings frequently employed professional dream interpreters, as seen later in Genesis chapter 41. However, Joseph consistently attributes his interpretive ability not to human wisdom or pagan divination, but solely to the God of Israel, as he states in Genesis 40:8. This sets him apart from the common practices of the time, emphasizing the unique nature of YHWH's direct communication. The setting is an Egyptian prison, highlighting Joseph's vulnerable position, yet it is precisely in this unlikely place that God chooses to reveal His power and prepare Joseph for his future role in preserving his family and, by extension, the line through which the Messiah would come.
Key Themes: Genesis 40:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Sovereignty, demonstrating that God is actively orchestrating events, even through human adversity and injustice, to fulfill His purposes. Joseph's prophetic gift of dream interpretation, first hinted at in his own dreams in Genesis chapter 37, is undeniably confirmed here, establishing Divine Revelation as a key means by which God communicates His will. Furthermore, the narrative underscores God's Faithfulness to Joseph, even when he is forgotten by men, and foreshadows the theme of Deliverance and Exaltation that will characterize Joseph's journey from prison to power, ultimately leading to the preservation of Jacob's family during the famine, as detailed in Genesis chapter 45.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text of Genesis 40:12 states: "And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days:"
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Symbolism, where the "three branches" of the vine are not merely literal tendrils but stand for a specific period of "three days." This direct equation is a form of Allegory within the dream narrative, where abstract concepts (time) are represented by concrete images (branches). The simplicity and directness of Joseph's interpretation also highlight Clarity and Precision, contrasting with the often ambiguous or convoluted interpretations found in pagan divinatory practices. This straightforwardness serves to emphasize the divine origin of the interpretation, as God's revelation is often clear and unambiguous when He intends to communicate a specific future event.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:12 is a profound testament to God's active involvement in the lives of His servants and His sovereign control over human events. It showcases God's chosen method of revealing His will through dreams and His ability to raise up individuals like Joseph as conduits for His divine communication. This verse is not merely about interpreting a dream; it underscores the broader biblical truth that God is working behind the scenes, even in the most obscure and difficult circumstances, to bring about His ultimate purposes. Joseph's faithfulness in utilizing his God-given gift, even while imprisoned, exemplifies a life lived in submission to divine calling, regardless of immediate reward or recognition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 40:12 offers powerful lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's sovereignty extends to every detail of our lives, even when we find ourselves in circumstances that feel unjust or forgotten. Joseph, despite being unjustly imprisoned and seemingly abandoned, remained faithful to God and continued to use his God-given gifts for the benefit of others. This narrative encourages us to cultivate an unwavering trust in God's overarching plan, recognizing that His purposes will unfold in His perfect timing, regardless of how bleak our immediate circumstances may appear. It challenges us to diligently use our unique talents and abilities, whether spiritual or natural, to serve others and bring glory to God, understanding that opportunities for divine service can arise in the most unexpected places—even a prison. Ultimately, when faced with uncertainty or the need for direction, we are exhorted to seek God's wisdom, acknowledging that all true understanding and guidance emanate from Him. Our faithfulness in small, unseen acts of service can be preparation for God's greater purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How did Joseph know the interpretation was from God and not just his own guess?
Answer: Joseph explicitly states in Genesis 40:8, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please." This declaration, made even before he heard the dream, indicates his profound conviction that the ability to interpret dreams was not a human skill but a divine gift. His confidence in the accuracy of his interpretation, later confirmed by the precise fulfillment of both the butler's and baker's dreams within the specified timeframe, further validated its divine origin. Joseph consistently deflected credit from himself, attributing all understanding to God.
Why is the specific timeframe of "three days" significant in the butler's dream interpretation?
Answer: The "three days" is significant because it provides a precise and imminent timeline for the dream's fulfillment, demonstrating God's exactness in His revelations. For the chief butler, this specific timeframe would have offered immediate hope and a tangible expectation of deliverance from his imprisonment. The number three often holds symbolic significance in the Bible, sometimes representing completion, divine action, or resurrection, but in this immediate context, its primary importance is its literal, prophetic accuracy. This precision served to validate Joseph's God-given gift and God's absolute control over future events, setting the stage for Joseph's eventual elevation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph, in his role as the revealer of divine secrets and the one who brings hope and ultimately deliverance from dire circumstances, serves as a profound type of Christ. Just as Joseph, through the Spirit of God, accurately interpreted dreams and foretold future events, so Christ is the ultimate revealer of God's will and the very Word of God made flesh, through whom all things were made and through whom God speaks to us (John 1:1-3 and Hebrews 1:1-2). Joseph's interpretation of the "three branches" as "three days" bears a striking, though not directly prophetic, echo of the pivotal "three days" of Christ's burial and resurrection. This divinely ordained timeline led to Christ's triumph over death and His ultimate restoration to glory, bringing new life to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Moreover, Joseph's suffering, unjust imprisonment, and subsequent exaltation to a position of power that saved many from famine prefigure Christ's own suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection, through which He was exalted to the right hand of God, becoming the ultimate deliverer and Savior for all humanity, offering spiritual sustenance and eternal life (Philippians 2:8-11 and Acts 5:31).