Genesis 40:14

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:

But think {H2142} on me when it shall be well {H3190} with thee, and shew {H6213} kindness {H2617}, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention {H2142} of me unto Pharaoh {H6547}, and bring me {H3318} out of this house {H1004}:

But remember me when it goes well with you; and show me kindness, please; and mention me to Pharaoh, so that he will release me from this prison.

But when it goes well for you, please remember me and show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh, that he might bring me out of this prison.

But have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

Commentary

Genesis 40:14 captures a poignant moment in Joseph's life, showing his human longing for freedom and justice while imprisoned in Egypt. After successfully interpreting the chief butler's dream, Joseph makes a heartfelt plea, hoping for remembrance and intervention.

Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of Joseph's unjust imprisonment. Falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph, despite his faithfulness, finds himself in the king's prison. While there, he gains favor with the keeper and is put in charge of other prisoners, including Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker. When both men have troubling dreams, Joseph, empowered by God, interprets them. The butler's dream foretold his restoration to Pharaoh's service within three days, a prophecy that soon came to pass (Genesis 40:21).

Key Themes

  • Hope Amidst Adversity: Joseph, though innocent and suffering, holds onto hope for deliverance. His request to the butler is a practical expression of this hope, trusting that a human connection might be the means of his release.
  • The Plea for Remembrance and Kindness: Joseph's use of "think on me" (Hebrew: zakhar) and "shew kindness" (Hebrew: chesed, often translated as steadfast love or loyal kindness) highlights his desire for compassionate action. He appeals to the butler's gratitude and sense of obligation. This contrasts sharply with the butler's later forgetfulness (Genesis 40:23).
  • Human Dependence and Divine Sovereignty: While Joseph makes a direct appeal for human assistance, the larger narrative of Genesis reveals that his ultimate deliverance and elevation came not through human memory, but through God's perfect timing and sovereign plan (Genesis 41:14). This verse shows Joseph's human effort, but the subsequent events underscore divine control.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "think on me" comes from the Hebrew word zakhar (Χ–ΦΈΧ›Φ·Χ¨), meaning "to remember, to recall, to be mindful of." It implies an active remembrance that leads to action, not just a fleeting thought. The request to "shew kindness" uses the Hebrew term chesed (Χ—ΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ“), a rich word denoting loyal love, mercy, or steadfast kindness, often implying a covenantal faithfulness or a deep, unwavering commitment to another.

Practical Application

Joseph's plea reminds us that even faithful individuals face prolonged periods of injustice and hardship. It's natural to seek human help and connections during difficult times. However, this verse, especially when read in light of the butler's subsequent forgetfulness, also serves as a powerful reminder that while we may hope in human promises, our ultimate trust must be in God's perfect timing and faithfulness. He never forgets His own, and His plans will ultimately prevail, often through unexpected means, as seen in Joseph's eventual rise to power (Genesis 41:40).

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Joseph's Coat of Many Colors and His Brothers' Jealousy Joseph: A Portrait of Sovereignty and Forgiveness Joseph in Prison: Interpreting Dreams Joseph's Forgiveness: "You Meant it for Evil, but God Meant it for Good" Lessons in Perseverance from the Life of Joseph

Cross-References

  • Joshua 2:12

    Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

  • 1 Samuel 20:14

    And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

  • 1 Samuel 20:15

    But [also] thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

  • Luke 23:42

    And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

  • 1 Kings 2:7

    But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

  • 2 Samuel 9:1

    ΒΆ And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

  • 1 Samuel 25:31

    That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
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