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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 40:20–23.
Here is, 1. The verifying of Joseph's interpretation of the dreams, on the very day prefixed. The chief butler and baker were both advanced, one to his office, the other to the gallows, and both at the three days' end. Note, Very great changes, both for the better and for the worse, often happen in a very little time, so sudden are the revolutions of the wheel of nature. The occasion of giving judgement severally upon their case was the solemnizing of Pharaoh's birthday, on which, all his servants being obliged by custom to attend him, these two came to be enquired after, and the cause of their commitment looked into. The solemnizing of the birthday of princes has been an ancient piece of respect done them; and if it be not abused, as Jeroboam's was (Hos 7:5), and Herod's (Mar 6:21), is a usage innocent enough: and we may all profitably take notice of our birthdays, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the sinfulness of it, and an expectation of the day of our death as better than the day of our birth. On Pharaoh's birthday he lifted up the head of these two prisoners, that is, arraigned and tried them (when Naboth was tried he was set on high among the people, Kg1 21:9), and he restored the chief butler, and hanged the chief baker. If the butler was innocent and the baker guilty, we must own the equity of Providence in clearing up the innocency of the innocent, and making the sin of the guilty to find him out. If both were either equally innocent or equally guilty, it is an instance of the arbitrariness of such great princes as pride themselves in that power which Nebuchadnezzar set up for (Dan 5:19, whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive), forgetting that there is a higher than they, to whom they are accountable. 2. The disappointing of Joseph's expectation from the chief butler: He remembered not Joseph, but forgot him, Gen 40:23. (1.) See here an instance of base ingratitude; Joseph had deserved well at his hands, had ministered to him, sympathized with him, helped him to a favourable interpretation of his dream, had recommended himself to him as an extraordinary person upon all accounts; and yet he forgot him. We must not think it strange if in this world we have hatred shown us for our love, and slights for our respects. (2.) See how apt those that are themselves at ease are to forget others in distress. Perhaps it is in allusion to this story that the prophet speaks of those that drink wine in bowls, and are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, Amo 6:6. Let us learn hence to cease from man. Joseph perhaps depended too much upon his interest in the chief butler, and promised himself too much from him; he learned by his disappointment to trust in God only. We cannot expect too little from man nor too much from God.
Some observe the resemblance between Joseph and Christ in this story. Joseph's fellow-sufferers were like the two thieves that were crucified with Christ - the one saved, the other condemned. (It is Dr. Lightfoot's remark, from Mr. Broughton.) One of these, when Joseph said to him, Remember me when it shall be well with thee, forget him; but one of those, when he said to Christ, Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom, was not forgotten. We justly blame the chief butler's ingratitude to Joseph, yet we conduct ourselves much more disingenuously towards the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours, mediated with the King of kings for us; yet we forget him, though often reminded of him, though we have promised never to forget him: thus ill do we requite him, like foolish people and unwise.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
See once again the good man, as though competing in some gymnasium or wrestling ring, giving a demonstration of his characteristic virtue by not showing signs of alarm, panic or disappointment. I mean, had it been somebody else, any one of a thousand, he might have said, What’s this? The chief cupbearer was all too ready to regain his former prosperity by my interpreting what he saw in his dream but now has no thought for me despite my predicting it. He is enjoying great relief, whereas I, who committed no crime, am locked up here with murderers, grave robbers, thieves and perpetrators of countless crimes. Joseph said nothing of the sort; he entertained no such thoughts. He realized that the race was longer for him, so that by striving consistently he might win a glorious crown.…Joseph, you see, had to await the right moment for release from there to come his way along with renown. After all, if before Pharaoh’s dreams the chief cupbearer had by his own intervention freed him from prison, perhaps his virtue would not have become known to many people. As it was, however, the wise and creative Lord, who like a fine craftsman knew how long the gold should be kept in the fire and when it ought be taken out, allowed forgetfulness to affect the chief cupbearer for a period of two years so that the moment of Pharaoh’s dreams should arrive and that by force of circumstances the good man should become known to the whole of Pharaoh’s kingdom.
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Summary
Genesis 40:23 poignantly describes the chief butler's failure to remember Joseph, despite Joseph's accurate interpretation of his dream and earnest plea for help. This act of human forgetfulness and ingratitude prolonged Joseph's unjust imprisonment, yet it was a crucial, divinely orchestrated delay that ensured Joseph's eventual elevation to power would occur at God's perfect timing, ultimately setting the stage for the salvation of many.
Context
Literary Context
This verse concludes the narrative arc of Joseph's interactions with Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker in prison, as detailed in Genesis 40. Following his accurate interpretations of their dreams, Joseph specifically requested the chief butler to "think on me when it shall be well with thee... and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house" (Genesis 40:14). The fulfillment of the butler's dream, leading to his restoration to Pharaoh's service, immediately precedes this verse. The abrupt statement of the butler's forgetfulness serves as a narrative pivot, highlighting Joseph's continued suffering and setting up the next major development in his story: Pharaoh's dreams two years later in Genesis 41.
Historical & Cultural Context
Joseph's imprisonment takes place in ancient Egypt, a highly structured society with a powerful pharaoh at its apex. The roles of chief butler (cupbearer) and chief baker were positions of significant trust and proximity to the king, often privy to sensitive information and responsible for the king's safety and sustenance. Their imprisonment suggests a serious offense, likely treason or a plot against Pharaoh. The swift execution of the baker and the restoration of the butler underscore the absolute authority of the pharaoh and the severe consequences of royal displeasure. In this cultural setting, a promise made to a prisoner by someone of the butler's status, even if informal, would carry weight, making his forgetfulness particularly striking and indicative of human self-preservation once out of danger.
Key Themes
Genesis 40:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of human fallibility and ingratitude, as the chief butler, despite receiving a life-saving prophecy, fails to remember his benefactor. More profoundly, it underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and providence, demonstrating how God works through human actions and inactions—even forgetfulness and injustice—to accomplish His perfect will. This delay, while seemingly a setback for Joseph, is essential for God to orchestrate Joseph's elevation at precisely the right moment, when Pharaoh's own dreams necessitate a divine interpreter (Genesis 41:1-8). It also reinforces the theme of suffering and perseverance, as Joseph endures further unjust imprisonment, echoing his earlier trials such as being sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:28) and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:19-20).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word denotes a "head person" or "ruler" of any rank or class, indicating a position of authority and responsibility. In this context, the "chief butler" was the head of the king's cupbearers, a highly trusted and influential position in Pharaoh's court. His elevated status makes his subsequent forgetfulness even more poignant and a greater slight to Joseph.
This primitive root means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember." It implies not just a mental recall but an active consideration or mindful attention. Joseph's plea was for the butler to actively "make mention" of him to Pharaoh. The butler's failure to "remember" thus signifies a complete lack of active concern or advocacy on Joseph's behalf.
This root means "to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention." The KJV's use of "forgat" (an archaic form of "forgot") alongside "did not remember" creates a strong emphasis on the completeness of the butler's neglect. It wasn't merely a passive oversight but an active state of being oblivious, indicating a self-centered focus once his own crisis was resolved.
Verse Breakdown
"Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph"
This clause immediately follows the fulfillment of the butler's dream and his restoration to Pharaoh's service. The "Yet" introduces a stark contrast between Joseph's accurate prediction and the butler's subsequent action (or inaction). It highlights the butler's failure to fulfill the earnest request Joseph made in Genesis 40:14. The phrase "did not remember" implies a conscious lack of thought or effort to recall Joseph's plight.
"but forgat him"
This second clause intensifies the first, emphasizing the absolute nature of the butler's neglect. It's not just that he didn't actively remember; he completely forgot Joseph. This forgetfulness is presented as a deliberate or at least profound oversight, underscoring human fallibility and self-interest. For Joseph, it meant the dashing of immediate hopes for release and the continuation of his unjust imprisonment.
Literary Devices
The verse employs Juxtaposition and Irony. The immediate juxtaposition of the butler's restoration (implied from the preceding verses) with his failure to remember Joseph creates a sharp contrast, highlighting human ingratitude and self-interest. There is also profound Irony in the situation: the one who received life-saving insight from Joseph, and was in a position to help him, completely forgets him. This ironic twist serves a deeper theological purpose, as this human failure ultimately facilitates God's perfect timing for Joseph's elevation. The repetition of the idea of forgetting ("did not remember... but forgat") functions as Emphasis, underscoring the completeness of the butler's neglect and the depth of Joseph's disappointment.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 40:23 serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent fallibility and self-absorption of humanity. The chief butler, once delivered from his own dire circumstances, quickly forgets the one who provided him hope and accurate prophecy, highlighting the common human tendency to neglect promises or benefactors once personal needs are met. This episode, however, is not merely a tale of human ingratitude; it is a profound demonstration of God's meticulous providence. What appears to be a cruel setback for Joseph—prolonging his unjust suffering—is, in fact, a divinely orchestrated delay. This delay ensures that Joseph's release and subsequent elevation to power will occur at the precise moment when Pharaoh himself has a dream requiring divine interpretation, thereby positioning Joseph not just as a freed prisoner, but as a divinely appointed deliverer for Egypt and, ultimately, for his own family and the nascent nation of Israel. God uses even the failings of humans to perfectly align His sovereign will and bring about His redemptive purposes.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 40:23 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating periods of disappointment, delayed hope, and perceived injustice. Joseph's experience reminds us that even when human promises fail, and our efforts seem unrewarded or forgotten, God remains sovereign and actively at work. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect timing, recognizing that what appears to be a setback from our limited perspective may be an essential step in God's grander, redemptive plan. It challenges us to persevere in faith and integrity, even when circumstances are bleak and our hopes are deferred, knowing that God's faithfulness far surpasses human reliability. Furthermore, it serves as a call to self-reflection: are we like the chief butler, quick to forget those who have helped us once our own needs are met? Or do we strive to be people of gratitude and integrity, remembering our promises and extending kindness, mirroring the steadfast character of God Himself?
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the chief butler forget Joseph?
The biblical text does not explicitly state the butler's motivation, but it strongly implies human self-interest and forgetfulness once his own crisis was resolved. Having been restored to his position and out of immediate danger, his focus likely shifted to his renewed comfort and responsibilities, leading him to neglect his promise to Joseph. Theologically, his forgetfulness was also a crucial part of God's sovereign plan. This delay ensured that Joseph's release and elevation would occur at the precise moment necessary for Pharaoh's dreams to be interpreted, leading to Joseph's rise to power and the eventual salvation of his family.
Was the chief butler's forgetfulness a sin?
While the Bible does not explicitly label the butler's forgetfulness as a sin, it certainly demonstrates a lack of gratitude and faithfulness to a promise made to someone who had provided him with life-saving insight. From a human perspective, it was a moral failing—a breach of trust and kindness. However, from God's perspective, it was an event permitted and used as a vital step in His larger redemptive plan for Joseph and his family, ultimately showcasing His ability to work through human imperfections for His perfect purposes.
How long was Joseph in prison after this event?
According to Genesis 41:1, Joseph remained in prison for "two full years" after the chief butler's restoration before Pharaoh had his dreams. It was these dreams that finally prompted the chief butler to remember Joseph, leading to Joseph's release and exaltation to second-in-command over all Egypt.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Genesis 40:23, with its poignant depiction of Joseph being forgotten and left in suffering despite his innocence and service, powerfully prefigures the experience of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was innocent yet unjustly condemned and subjected to immense suffering. He ministered to others, even those who would later betray or forget Him, offering life and hope. Just as the chief butler, once delivered, forgot Joseph, so too did humanity largely reject and "forget" Christ, leading to His crucifixion and apparent abandonment. The world, focused on its own immediate concerns, failed to recognize or remember the Savior in its midst. Yet, God did not forget His Son. Through this period of apparent abandonment and suffering, God was orchestrating a greater plan of salvation. Christ's "forgetting" by man, His death and burial, led to His glorious resurrection and ultimate exaltation (Philippians 2:9-11). This divine act of remembrance and vindication resulted in the salvation of all who believe (Romans 10:9-10), fulfilling God's redemptive purpose far beyond any human expectation, just as Joseph's forgotten state led to his elevation and the preservation of many lives, foreshadowing the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).