Genesis 40:23

KJV

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet did not the chief {H8269} butler {H8248} remember {H2142} Joseph {H3130}, but forgat {H7911} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, the chief cupbearer didn't remember Yosef, but forgot him.

Berean Standard Bible

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot all about him.

American Standard Version

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

Commentary

### 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](/genesis/40 "Genesis 40 - Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison"). 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](/genesis/40-14 "Joseph's Plea to the Chief Butler")). 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](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams and Rises to Power").

* **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](/genesis/41-1-8 "Pharaoh's Disturbing Dreams")). 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](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")) and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife ([Genesis 39:19-20](/genesis/39-19-20 "Joseph Imprisoned on False Accusations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chief (Hebrew, _sar'_):** 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.
* **remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** 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.
* **forgat (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** 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](/genesis/40-14 "Joseph's Request to the Chief Butler"). 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.

* [Psalm 105:17-19](/psalms/105-17-19 "God's Providence in Joseph's Suffering")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")

### 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
* **How do you respond when your hopes are deferred or when others fail to keep their promises to you?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be orchestrating a "delay" for a greater, unseen purpose?**
* **How can Joseph's perseverance in the face of injustice and forgetfulness encourage your own faith during difficult seasons?**
* **What steps can you take to be more mindful of your promises and expressions of gratitude to others?**

### FAQ
**Why did the chief butler forget Joseph?**

Answer: 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?**

Answer: 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?**

Answer: According to [Genesis 41:1](/genesis/41-1 "Pharaoh's Dreams and Joseph's Release"), 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](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation")). This divine act of remembrance and vindication resulted in the salvation of all who believe ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Confess and Believe to be Saved")), 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](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Job 19:14

My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

Psalms 31:12

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Psalms 105:19

Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Amos 6:6

That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Ecclesiastes 9:15

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

Ecclesiastes 9:16

Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard.