Genesis 40:21

KJV

And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he restored {H7725} the chief {H8269} butler {H8248} unto his butlership {H4945} again {H7725}; and he gave {H5414} the cup {H3563} into Pharaoh's {H6547} hand {H3709}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He restored the chief cupbearer back to his position, so that he again gave Pharaoh his cup.

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.

American Standard Version

And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 40:21 meticulously records the exact fulfillment of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation of the chief butler's dream, as Pharaoh unequivocally reinstates the butler to his highly esteemed and intimate position as cupbearer. This pivotal moment, unfolding two years prior to Joseph's own deliverance from imprisonment, powerfully validates Joseph's prophetic anointing and profoundly underscores the intricate workings of God's sovereign providence, orchestrating every detail to advance His grand redemptive narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 40:21 serves as the climactic resolution to the narrative arc introduced in [Genesis 40:1-19](/genesis/40-1-19 "Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison"). Following Joseph's unjust imprisonment after the false accusations of Potiphar's wife ([Genesis 39:19-20](/genesis/39-19-20 "Joseph's Imprisonment")), he finds himself in the royal prison, where he encounters Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker. Their distressed countenances prompt Joseph to inquire about their troubles, leading to their recounting of perplexing dreams. Joseph, acknowledging that "interpretations belong to God" ([Genesis 40:8](/genesis/40-8 "Interpretations Belong to God")), provides accurate, divinely-revealed interpretations for both men. The butler's dream, involving a vine with three branches, blossoming, and yielding grapes for Pharaoh's cup, foretold his restoration within three days. This verse, therefore, marks the precise and public fulfillment of Joseph's prophecy concerning the chief butler, standing in stark contrast to the tragic fulfillment of the baker's dream in [Genesis 40:22](/genesis/40-22 "The Chief Baker's Execution").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt, a powerful and highly structured civilization. Pharaoh, as the divine king, held absolute authority, and his court was meticulously organized. The role of a "chief butler" or "cupbearer" (Hebrew: _mashqeh_) was far more significant than a mere servant. This individual was a highly trusted official, often a confidant and advisor to the king, responsible for the king's personal safety by tasting his drink to guard against poison. This intimate access meant the cupbearer was privy to sensitive information and wielded considerable influence. The swift execution or restoration of such high-ranking officials, as seen with the baker and butler, underscores the Pharaoh's unquestionable power and the precarious nature of court life. Dreams, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, were often believed to be messages from the gods, and their interpretation was a specialized, highly valued skill, often sought from priests or wise men. Joseph's ability to interpret these dreams, especially with such precise outcomes, would have been seen as a clear sign of divine favor and power.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader Joseph narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's meticulous control over seemingly random events, even within a pagan court, to advance His purposes. Joseph's unjust suffering is not wasted but becomes a crucible for God's plan. Secondly, the precise fulfillment of the prophecy underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation and Prophetic Authority**. Joseph's accurate interpretation validates his connection to the true God, setting the stage for his later, more significant interpretations for Pharaoh in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams"). Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's Remembrance and Restoration**, even though the butler himself forgets Joseph for a time ([Genesis 40:23](/genesis/40-23 "The Butler Forgets Joseph")). This foreshadows God's ultimate remembrance of Joseph and His covenant promises to Abraham's descendants, a theme central to the unfolding narrative of [Genesis](/genesis "The Book of Genesis").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **restored (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively." Here, it signifies a complete reversal of fortune, a turning back to a former state of favor and position. It implies not just a physical return but a reinstatement of status and trust. The repetition in the KJV "restored... again" emphasizes the completeness of this reversal.
* **butlership (Hebrew, _mashqeh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to cause to drink" or "to furnish a potion." This term refers to the office of the cupbearer, a highly sensitive and trusted position in ancient royal courts. It highlights the intimate access and responsibility the individual had to the monarch, often involving tasting the king's drink to ensure its safety. The restoration to this specific office underscores the return to a place of close proximity and loyalty to Pharaoh.
* **gave (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** A primitive root with a vast latitude of application, meaning "to give, put, make, etc." In this context, it denotes the active transfer of the cup, symbolizing the official resumption of the butler's duties. It's a concrete action that signifies the formal and public re-establishment of his role and the trust placed in him by Pharaoh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again":** This clause describes the primary action of Pharaoh. The "he" refers to Pharaoh, who, in an act of sovereign authority, reverses the chief butler's imprisonment and reinstates him to his former, highly privileged office. The phrase "unto his butlership again" emphasizes the full and complete return to the exact position he held before his incarceration, signifying a restoration of honor, trust, and responsibility. This fulfillment directly corresponds to Joseph's interpretation of the butler's dream.
* **"and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand":** This second clause details the specific, symbolic act that confirms the chief butler's restoration. The "he" again refers to Pharaoh, who personally or through his command, ensures the butler performs his defining duty. The act of "giving the cup into Pharaoh's hand" is not merely a task but the quintessential symbol of the cupbearer's office. It signifies the butler's renewed access, trust, and intimate service to the monarch, publicly validating his full reinstatement and the accuracy of Joseph's prophecy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Fulfillment** is the most prominent, as the text explicitly details the precise realization of Joseph's prophecy, confirming the divine origin of the dream and the accuracy of its interpretation. This creates a strong sense of **verisimilitude** and underscores the reliability of God's word through Joseph. The **Symbolism** of "the cup" is significant; it is not just a vessel but represents the butler's specific duty, his intimacy with Pharaoh, and the trust placed in him. Its return to his hand is a powerful visual metaphor for his restored favor. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Contrast** by juxtaposing the butler's restoration with the chief baker's execution in the very next verse ([Genesis 40:22](/genesis/40-22 "The Chief Baker's Execution")). This stark difference highlights the binary outcomes of Joseph's prophecies and underscores the themes of divine judgment and mercy, as well as the absolute authority of Pharaoh. The entire episode serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly preparing the reader for Joseph's later, more dramatic interpretation of Pharaoh's own dreams, which will lead to his elevation and the salvation of Egypt and his family.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:21 stands as a powerful testament to God's meticulous **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**. Even within the confines of an Egyptian prison, God is actively orchestrating events, using the mundane and the miraculous to advance His overarching redemptive plan. The precise and immediate fulfillment of Joseph's interpretation validates his prophetic gift, demonstrating that the dreams were indeed from God and that Joseph was His chosen instrument. This event, though seemingly minor in the grand sweep of history, is a crucial step in Joseph's journey, preparing the way for his eventual elevation and the preservation of his family, which is foundational to the covenant promises made to Abraham. It underscores God's faithfulness to His purposes, even when human agents fail or forget, as the butler initially did.
* [Genesis 41:9-13](/genesis/41-9-13 "The Butler Remembers Joseph")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 105:16-19](/psalms/105-16-19 "God's Providence in Joseph's Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 40:21 offers profound insights into the nature of God's timing and our response to seemingly delayed promises. While the chief butler experiences immediate restoration, Joseph, despite his accurate prophecy, remains unjustly imprisoned for another two years ([Genesis 41:1](/genesis/41-1 "Joseph's Two-Year Wait")). This stark contrast powerfully teaches us the virtue of **patience** and the necessity of **trusting God's perfect, often inscrutable, timing**. Joseph's continued faithfulness, humility, and diligent service, even in the most trying circumstances—interpreting dreams for his fellow inmates without immediate personal gain—serve as a compelling model for believers. It reminds us that our faithfulness in the "small things," especially during periods of waiting or suffering, is never unnoticed by God and is often precisely where He prepares us for greater purposes. This verse ultimately assures us of God's unwavering care, His ultimate control over all circumstances, and His steadfast remembrance of His people and His sovereign purposes, even when human memory fails.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's continued faithfulness in prison, despite the butler's initial forgetfulness, challenge your perspective on serving God during periods of waiting or injustice?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a "waiting period"? How can the story of the chief butler's restoration and Joseph's delay encourage you to trust God's timing and providence?**
* **How does the precise fulfillment of Joseph's prophecy strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's word and His ability to orchestrate all circumstances for His ultimate good?**

### FAQ
**Why was the cupbearer such an important position?**

Answer: The cupbearer (Hebrew: _mashqeh_) held a position of immense trust, influence, and intimate access within ancient royal courts, particularly in Egypt. Their primary duty was to serve the king's drink, but critically, they were often responsible for tasting it first to ensure it was not poisoned. This made them a vital guardian of the monarch's life. Beyond this, their constant proximity to the king meant they were privy to confidential discussions, state secrets, and often served as trusted advisors or confidants. Their loyalty was paramount, and their role was far more significant than that of a mere servant, often placing them among the most powerful figures in the royal administration, as seen in the story of [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/1 "The Book of Nehemiah"), who also served as a cupbearer to a Persian king.

**Did the chief butler remember Joseph immediately after his restoration?**

Answer: Regrettably, no. Despite Joseph's earnest plea for the chief butler to "remember me when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house" ([Genesis 40:14](/genesis/40-14 "Joseph's Plea to the Butler")), the chief butler "did not remember Joseph, but forgot him" ([Genesis 40:23](/genesis/40-23 "The Butler Forgets Joseph")). It was only a full two years later, when Pharaoh himself was troubled by a series of perplexing dreams and none of his wise men could interpret them, that the chief butler finally recalled Joseph's unique gift and mentioned him to Pharaoh. This pivotal moment, detailed in [Genesis 41:9-13](/genesis/41-9-13 "The Butler Remembers Joseph"), directly led to Joseph's release from prison and his subsequent elevation to a position of immense power in Egypt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 40:21 recounts the restoration of an earthly servant to an earthly king, it serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate divine **restoration** accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as the chief butler was brought from imprisonment and disgrace back into a position of intimate favor and service with Pharaoh, so too does Christ, through His atoning death and glorious resurrection, restore humanity from the bondage of sin and spiritual death into a relationship of favor and service with the Heavenly King. His work is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, bringing reconciliation where there was alienation ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "God Reconciled Us to Himself Through Christ")). Joseph, as the accurate interpreter of God's will and the one through whom life was preserved, prefigures Christ, who is the very **Word of God** made flesh ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "The Word Was God")), the one who perfectly reveals the Father's will ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")), and the **Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world** ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through Christ, we are not merely restored to a former position, but granted a new, eternal life and an inheritance in His unshakeable kingdom ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "Born Again to a Living Hope")).

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.

Nehemiah 2:1

¶ And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that] wine [was] before him: and I took up the wine, and gave [it] unto the king. Now I had not been [beforetime] sad in his presence.