Genesis 40:18

KJV

And Joseph answered and said, This [is] the interpretation thereof: The three baskets [are] three days:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, This is the interpretation {H6623} thereof: The three {H7969} baskets {H5536} are three {H7969} days {H3117}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef answered, "Here is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days.

Berean Standard Bible

Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days.

American Standard Version

And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 40:18 captures Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation of the chief baker's dream, a concise yet profound declaration that "The three baskets [are] three days." This pivotal statement not only reveals Joseph's extraordinary prophetic gift, bestowed by God, but also underscores that true revelation and understanding of future events originate solely from the Almighty, even amidst the dire and unjust circumstances of his imprisonment in Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Joseph's life, specifically during his unjust imprisonment in Egypt. Having been falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph found himself in the king's prison, where he gained favor and was put in charge of other prisoners. Among these were Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker, both of whom experienced troubling dreams on the same night. Joseph, observing their distress, inquired about their downcast countenances. When they explained their dreams and their inability to find an interpreter, Joseph humbly asserted that "interpretations belong to God" [Genesis 40:8](/genesis/40-8 "Joseph attributes dream interpretation to God"). He then proceeded to interpret the chief butler's dream, promising his restoration, and subsequently, in the preceding verses, received the chief baker's dream. The baker's dream involved three white baskets on his head, with the uppermost basket containing all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, which birds were eating. Genesis 40:18 immediately follows this recounting, presenting Joseph's direct and grim interpretation of the baker's fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Dream interpretation was a significant practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often believed to be a means by which deities communicated with humans. Pharaohs and kings frequently employed professional dream interpreters or seers to advise them. The Egyptians, in particular, placed great emphasis on dreams and their meanings, often recording them and seeking their interpretations. Joseph, a Hebrew monotheist, stood in stark contrast to these pagan practices, consistently attributing his interpretive ability not to human wisdom or magical arts, but solely to the sovereign God of Israel. His humility and reliance on Yahweh would have been remarkable in a culture steeped in polytheism and divination. The prison setting itself, where high-ranking officials could be incarcerated, reflects the absolute power of the Pharaoh and the arbitrary nature of justice in that era.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 40:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and Joseph's narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs, even in the seemingly mundane or unjust circumstances of a prison. Joseph's God-given ability to interpret dreams is a clear manifestation of **Divine Revelation and Wisdom**, emphasizing that true insight into the future comes from God alone, not from human ingenuity or pagan practices. This incident also serves to further develop the theme of **Joseph's Prophetic Gift**, a gift that will be crucial for his later elevation and the preservation of his family, as seen in his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams"). Furthermore, the precise fulfillment of Joseph's interpretations, both for the butler and the baker, underscores the theme of **God's Unfailing Word and Prophetic Accuracy**, establishing the reliability of divine pronouncements.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **interpretation (Hebrew, _pithrôwn'_):** From an unused root meaning to open, loosen, or unravel. This term signifies the "solution" or "unraveling" of a mystery, specifically a dream. It denotes the act of making clear what is obscure, revealing the hidden meaning. In this context, Joseph is providing the divinely revealed key to unlock the symbolic language of the chief baker's dream, transforming its enigmatic imagery into a clear, prophetic declaration.
* **baskets (Hebrew, _çal'_):** Properly, a willow twig, but specifically used here for a woven basket, likely made of osier or similar material. These were common containers for carrying goods, particularly food items. The "three baskets" in the chief baker's dream were significant not just in number, but in their content (baked goods for Pharaoh) and the manner in which they were carried (on his head), all contributing to the dream's symbolic meaning of his service and impending judgment.
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether a literal 24-hour period (from sunrise to sunset, or sunset to sunset), or a more general period of time. Here, the specific number "three" combined with "days" indicates a precise, literal timeframe of 72 hours. This exactness underscores the immediate and certain fulfillment of the prophecy, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the timing of the chief baker's fate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph answered and said,"**: This phrase indicates Joseph's direct response to the chief baker's recounting of his dream. It highlights Joseph's role as the active interpreter, not merely a passive recipient of information. The use of "answered and said" emphasizes the authoritative nature of his pronouncement, as one speaking with divine insight.
* **"This [is] the interpretation thereof:"**: Joseph immediately moves from listening to declaring the meaning. The demonstrative "This" points directly to the dream just recounted, asserting that what follows is the definitive, divinely revealed understanding. The phrase "the interpretation thereof" confirms that he is providing the solution to the dream's mystery, not a mere guess or human conjecture.
* **"The three baskets [are] three days:"**: This is the core of the interpretation, a direct equation of the dream's central symbol with its temporal reality. The "three baskets" from the baker's dream are unequivocally linked to a specific timeframe of "three days." This concise, almost mathematical, correlation is characteristic of prophetic pronouncements, where symbolic elements are directly translated into their real-world consequences and timing. It sets a clear, imminent deadline for the fulfillment of the dream's grim prophecy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Symbolism**, where the "three baskets" are not merely literal objects but represent a specific timeframe, "three days." This direct equation is a form of **Prophecy**, as Joseph is foretelling a future event with precise timing. The language is characterized by **Direct Statement** and **Concision**, mirroring the authoritative and unambiguous nature of divine revelation. The brevity of the interpretation, "The three baskets [are] three days," makes it memorable and impactful. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the grim fulfillment of the chief baker's dream, which will occur precisely as Joseph predicts, demonstrating the unerring accuracy of God's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:18 powerfully reinforces the theological truth that God is the ultimate source of all wisdom and revelation, actively intervening in human history to accomplish His sovereign purposes. Joseph consistently deflects personal credit, attributing his interpretive gift solely to the Almighty, thereby highlighting God's active involvement in revealing His plans to His servants. This incident further solidifies Joseph's unique spiritual endowment, serving as a crucial precursor to his later, more significant interpretations of Pharaoh's dreams, which ultimately led to his elevation to power and the preservation of his family. Even within the confines of a seemingly hopeless prison, God is demonstrably working behind the scenes, orchestrating events through dreams and their precise interpretations as integral components of His overarching plan.

* [Genesis 40:8](/genesis/40-8 "Joseph attributes dream interpretation to God")
* [Genesis 41:25-32](/genesis/41-25-32 "Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "God reveals His secret to His servants the prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's narrative, particularly [Genesis 40:18](/genesis/40-18 "Joseph's interpretation of the chief baker's dream"), offers profound and enduring lessons for believers. It reminds us that God can effectively utilize our gifts and talents, even in the most challenging and unjust circumstances, to accomplish His sovereign purposes. This passage encourages us to consistently acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all wisdom and understanding, especially when confronted with complex situations or uncertain futures. Like Joseph, we are called to cultivate unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and comprehensive plan, confident that He is actively at work even when the full picture remains obscured. This narrative also powerfully reaffirms God's faithfulness to His promises amidst human betrayal and injustice, laying foundational truth for understanding [how God uses evil for good](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's perspective on God's plan in Genesis 50:20") and orchestrates seemingly disparate events for His ultimate glory and the good of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's humility in attributing his gift to God challenge our own tendencies to seek personal credit or rely on human wisdom?**
* **In what "prisons" or difficult circumstances might God be preparing us to exercise our gifts for His purposes?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's perfect timing, even when His plan unfolds slowly or through adversity?**

### FAQ
**How did Joseph interpret dreams?**

Answer: Joseph explicitly states that [interpretations belong to God](/genesis/40-8 "Joseph attributes dream interpretation to God"), indicating that his ability was not a personal skill, magical power, or learned technique, but a direct divine gift of revelation. He served as a conduit for God's message, accurately discerning the meaning and timing of the dreams because God revealed them to him. This stands in stark contrast to the pagan dream interpreters of his day, who relied on various forms of divination.

**What is the significance of the "three days" in Joseph's interpretation?**

Answer: The "three days" in Joseph's interpretation of the chief baker's dream signifies the precise timeframe within which the dream's prophecy would be fulfilled. This specific detail highlights the accuracy and immediacy of God's revealed word, demonstrating that divine prophecy is not vague but concrete. It underscores the certainty of the chief baker's impending judgment and execution, which indeed occurred within that exact period, serving as a powerful testament to the reliability of Joseph's God-given insight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph, in his unjust suffering and subsequent elevation, serves as a profound type of Christ, and [Genesis 40:18](/genesis/40-18 "Joseph interprets the chief baker's dream") subtly points to this fulfillment. Like Joseph, who was wrongly imprisoned yet became the source of revelation and life for others, Christ was unjustly condemned and crucified, yet through His suffering, He became the ultimate revealer of God's will and the source of eternal life. The "three days" in Joseph's prophecy, while directly relating to the baker's grim fate, also resonates typologically with Christ's resurrection on the third day, signifying His triumph over death and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan to bring new life. Joseph's divine gift of interpretation, revealing both judgment (for the baker) and salvation (for the butler), perfectly foreshadows Christ, the Word made flesh, who perfectly reveals the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has seen God, but the only God has revealed Him")) and brings ultimate judgment and salvation to humanity ([John 5:22-24](/john/5-22-24 "John 5:22-24 - Jesus has authority to judge and give life")). Just as Joseph's interpretation was certain and came to pass, so too are Christ's words of judgment and promise eternally true and unfailing ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 40:12

And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days:

Genesis 41:26

The seven good kine [are] seven years; and the seven good ears [are] seven years: the dream [is] one.

1 Corinthians 11:24

And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Corinthians 10:4

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.