Genesis 40:20

KJV

¶ And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass the third {H7992} day {H3117}, which was Pharaoh's {H6547} birthday {H3117}{H3205}, that he made {H6213} a feast {H4960} unto all his servants {H5650}: and he lifted up {H5375} the head {H7218} of the chief {H8269} butler {H8248} and of the chief {H8269} baker {H644} among {H8432} his servants {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he gave a party for all his officials, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his officials.

Berean Standard Bible

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 40:20 chronicles the precise and public fulfillment of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretations for Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker. On the occasion of Pharaoh's birthday, a day marked by royal celebration and decrees, the chief butler was triumphantly restored to his former esteemed position, while the chief baker was tragically executed, exactly as Joseph had foretold three days prior. This pivotal event powerfully underscores God's meticulous sovereignty over human affairs, His perfect timing, and the absolute accuracy of His revealed word, even in the seemingly secular context of a pagan court.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 40:20 serves as the dramatic culmination of the narrative introduced at the beginning of the chapter, following Joseph's unjust imprisonment in Egypt. While in the captain of the guard's house, Joseph encounters Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker, both of whom have offended the king and are now incarcerated. Each man experiences a troubling dream, which Joseph, humbly acknowledging that "interpretations belong to God" ([Genesis 40:8](/genesis/40-8 "Joseph's declaration of God's interpretive power")), accurately interprets. He predicts the butler's restoration within three days ([Genesis 40:13](/genesis/40-13 "Joseph's interpretation for the chief butler")) and the baker's execution within the same timeframe ([Genesis 40:19](/genesis/40-19 "Joseph's interpretation for the chief baker")). This verse details the precise fulfillment of these prophecies, highlighting Joseph's divine gift and setting the stage for his eventual remembrance and elevation in the subsequent chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Pharaoh's birthday was a significant annual event in ancient Egypt, often celebrated with lavish feasts, public ceremonies, and royal decrees. Such occasions were opportune times for the king to demonstrate his power through acts of clemency, promotion, or severe judgment. The roles of the chief butler (cupbearer) and chief baker were highly sensitive and trusted positions within the royal court, as they had direct access to the king's food and drink, making them privy to intimate court affairs and potential targets for political intrigue or assassination plots. Their imprisonment and subsequent fates on the king's birthday reflect the absolute authority of the Pharaoh and the precarious nature of service in his court.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's active control over human events, even those occurring in a pagan setting and seemingly orchestrated by human rulers. Secondly, it highlights the **Veracity and Fulfillment of Prophecy**, establishing Joseph's credibility as a true messenger of God whose words come to pass with precise detail. Thirdly, the "third day" motif underscores **God's Perfect Timing**, reinforcing that His plans unfold according to His sovereign timetable, often at climactic moments. Finally, the contrasting fates of the butler and baker illustrate themes of **Justice and Judgment**, showcasing the consequences of actions and the potential for restoration or retribution under divine oversight, which prepares the way for Joseph's future role as an instrument of God's plan for his family, as seen later in [Genesis 45](/genesis/45 "Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From an unused root meaning to be hot; this term refers to a day, whether literal (from sunrise to sunset or one sunset to the next) or figurative (a defined space of time). In this context, it marks the exact temporal fulfillment, emphasizing the precision of Joseph's prophecy regarding the "third day." The use of "day" here is crucial for establishing the prophetic accuracy.
* **birthday (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear young; causatively, to beget." When combined with "day" (yôwm), it specifically denotes the day of one's birth. The mention of Pharaoh's birthday is significant as it indicates a specific, celebratory, and often judgment-laden occasion in ancient royal courts, chosen by God as the precise moment for His will to be revealed and executed.
* **lifted up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to lift" in a great variety of applications, both literal and figurative. This verb is central to the double meaning of Joseph's prophecy. For the chief butler, it signified restoration and exaltation to his former position. For the chief baker, it tragically implied the lifting of his head for execution, likely by decapitation or hanging, as confirmed in the subsequent verse. This single verb encapsulates the contrasting fates.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday":** This opening clause immediately establishes the precise timing and setting for the fulfillment of Joseph's prophecies. The "third day" directly echoes Joseph's predictions to both the butler and the baker, highlighting the exactness of God's timing. The fact that this day was Pharaoh's birthday adds a layer of cultural significance, as such occasions were often marked by royal decrees, acts of clemency, or severe judgments, providing a public and official context for the events about to unfold.
* **"that he made a feast unto all his servants":** This detail further emphasizes the celebratory and public nature of the occasion. A royal feast would involve all high-ranking officials and servants, ensuring that the king's actions and pronouncements were witnessed by a wide audience. This public setting underscores the undeniable fulfillment of Joseph's words and the Pharaoh's absolute authority.
* **"and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants":** This is the pivotal clause, containing the fulfillment of Joseph's dual prophecy through a powerful idiom. The phrase "lifted up the head" (Hebrew: _nasa' ro'sh_) carries a deliberate double meaning, which Joseph skillfully employed. For the chief butler, to "lift up the head" meant to restore him to his position of honor and service, signifying a lifting from disgrace and a return to favor. His head was "lifted up" in dignity. For the chief baker, however, the same phrase tragically meant to "lift up" his head for execution, likely by decapitation or hanging, as confirmed in [Genesis 40:22](/genesis/40-22 "The execution of the chief baker"). His head was "lifted up" in preparation for judgment and death. This stark contrast demonstrates the precision of Joseph's God-given interpretations and the absolute nature of Pharaoh's power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs **Idiom** and **Juxtaposition**. The phrase "lifted up the head" (Hebrew: _nasa' ro'sh_) functions as a clever **Double Entendre**, carrying two diametrically opposed meanings depending on the context of the individual. For the butler, it signified restoration and honor, a lifting from shame. For the baker, it meant execution, a lifting of his head for capital punishment. This linguistic device, understood and utilized by Joseph, underscores the precision of divine revelation. Furthermore, the verse uses **Juxtaposition** by presenting the contrasting fates of the two men—one restored, the other executed—within the same sentence and on the same significant day. This stark comparison not only highlights the accuracy of Joseph's prophecy but also serves as a powerful illustration of divine justice and judgment, demonstrating the differing outcomes that await individuals based on God's sovereign decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:20 provides a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His meticulous sovereignty and the unerring accuracy of His prophetic word. Even in the seemingly secular context of a pagan king's birthday feast, God orchestrates events to fulfill His predetermined purposes. The "third day" fulfillment underscores God's perfect timing, reinforcing that His plans unfold precisely when and how He intends, often at climactic moments. This event not only validates Joseph's divine gift but also serves as a crucial step in God's larger redemptive plan, preparing the way for Joseph's eventual elevation and the preservation of Jacob's family during the coming famine. It is a testament to God's faithfulness, even when His instruments (like Joseph) are forgotten or seemingly abandoned.

* [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "The counsel of the Lord stands forever")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "God declares the end from the beginning")
* [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "God reveals mysteries through dreams")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 40:20 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating periods of waiting, uncertainty, or injustice. Joseph, despite accurately interpreting the dreams and requesting remembrance, remained in prison for two more years ([Genesis 41:1](/genesis/41-1 "Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's continued imprisonment")). This verse, however, assures us that even when God's plans seem delayed or forgotten by others, His timing is perfect, and His word will unfailingly come to pass. It reminds us to trust in God's unwavering reliability and His sovereign orchestration of all events, even the mundane or seemingly adverse ones, for His ultimate purposes. Our circumstances, no matter how bleak, are always under His control, and He is actively working behind the scenes to bring about His good and perfect will, often through unexpected means and at precisely the right moment. This narrative provides a powerful anchor for our faith, assuring us that God never forgets His own and that His promises are always true.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of the "third day" fulfillment in this verse strengthen your trust in God's timing, especially when you are waiting for His promises to unfold in your own life?**
* **In what ways does God use seemingly ordinary or even secular events (like Pharaoh's birthday) to accomplish His divine purposes today?**
* **What does the contrasting fate of the chief butler and chief baker teach us about divine justice and the consequences of our actions?**
* **How can remembering Joseph's two additional years of imprisonment, despite this prophetic fulfillment, help us persevere when God's plans seem delayed?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the third day" in this passage?**

Answer: The "third day" is highly significant because it marks the precise fulfillment of Joseph's prophecies for both the chief butler and the chief baker. It demonstrates the exactness of God's timing and the unwavering reliability of His word, thereby reinforcing Joseph's divine inspiration. This specific timeframe, foretold by Joseph, underscores that God's plans unfold with perfect accuracy. Furthermore, the "third day" is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, often associated with divine intervention, resurrection, or a new beginning, adding a layer of thematic depth to this immediate fulfillment, as seen later in the ultimate "third day" event of Christ's resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "Christ rose on the third day")).

**Why is Pharaoh's birthday mentioned as the setting for these events?**

Answer: Pharaoh's birthday is mentioned to highlight God's sovereign use of a seemingly ordinary, and even secular, cultural occasion to bring about His divine will. In ancient Egypt, royal birthdays were significant events often marked by grand feasts, public decrees, and acts of clemency or judgment. By orchestrating the fulfillment of Joseph's prophecies on this specific day, God used a culturally relevant and public setting to confirm Joseph's prophetic gift and advance His overarching plan. This demonstrates that God's providence extends to all aspects of human life, even within pagan courts and through human customs, showcasing His absolute control over all circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 40:20, with its striking themes of judgment, restoration, and the "third day" fulfillment of prophecy, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. Joseph, as an interpreter of God's will and an instrument through whom both judgment and salvation are revealed, serves as a type of Christ, the ultimate revealer of God's truth ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God speaks through His Son")). Just as the chief butler was "lifted up" to restoration and the chief baker "lifted up" to judgment on the third day, so too was Christ "lifted up" on the cross ([John 3:14-15](/john/3-14-15 "As Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted up")), leading to the ultimate judgment of sin and the offer of restoration and eternal life for all who believe ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself")). His glorious resurrection on the "third day" ([Luke 24:46](/luke/24-46 "The Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day")) is the ultimate fulfillment of divine prophecy, signifying His victory over death and the establishment of a new covenant. Through Christ, spiritual liberation is offered to those who were imprisoned by sin ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "The law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death")), while those who reject Him face eternal judgment ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already")).

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 40:13

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.

Genesis 40:19

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.

Matthew 14:6

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Mark 6:21

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief [estates] of Galilee;

2 Kings 25:27

And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth [day] of the month, [that] Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

Luke 16:1

¶ And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Luke 16:2

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.