TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
Berean Standard Bible
When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were distraught.
American Standard Version
And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and saw them, and, behold, they were sad.
World English Bible Messianic
Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when Ioseph came in vnto them in the morning, and looked vpon them, beholde, they were sad.
Young's Literal Translation
And Joseph cometh in unto them in the morning, and seeth them, and lo, they are morose;
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In the KJVVerse 1,179 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 40 verses 5–19
5 ¶ And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?
8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
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.
14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
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.
Observe, I. The special providence of God, which filled the heads of these two prisoners with unusual dreams, such as made extraordinary impressions upon them, and carried with them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note, God has immediate access to the spirits of men, which he can make serviceable to his own purposes whenever he pleases, quite beyond the intention of those concerned. To him all hearts are open, and anciently he spoke not only to his own people, but to others, in dreams, Job 33:15. Things to come were thus foretold, but very obscurely.
II. The impression which was made upon these prisoners by their dreams (Gen 40:6): They were sad. It was not the prison that made them sad (they were pretty well used to that, and perhaps lived jovially there), but the dream. Note, God has more ways than one to sadden the spirits of those that are to be made sad. Those sinners that are hardy enough under outward troubles, and will not yield to them, yet God can find out a way to punish; he can take off their wheels, by wounding their spirits, and laying loads upon them.
III. Joseph's great tenderness and compassion towards them. He enquired with concern, Wherefore look you so sadly today? Gen 40:7. Joseph was their keeper, and in that office he was mild. Note, It becomes us to take cognizance of the sorrows even of those that are under our check. Joseph was their companion in tribulation, he was now a prisoner with them, and had been a dreamer too. Note, Communion in sufferings helps to work compassion towards those that do suffer. Let us learn hence, 1. To concern ourselves in the sorrows and troubles of others, and to enquire into the reason of the sadness of our brethren's countenances; we should be often considering the tears of the oppressed, Ecc 4:1. It is some relief to those that are in trouble to be taken notice of. 2. To enquire into the causes of our own sorrow, "Wherefore do I look so sadly? Is there a reason? Is it a good reason? Is there not a reason for comfort sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? Why art thou cast down, O my soul?"
IV. The dreams themselves, and the interpretation of them. That which troubled these prisoners was that being confined they could not have recourse to the diviners of Egypt who pretended to interpret dreams: There is no interpreter here in the prison, Gen 40:8. Note, There are interpreters which those that are in prison and sorrow should wish to have with them, to instruct them in the meaning and design of Providence (Elihu alludes to such, when he says, If there be an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness, Job 33:23, Job 33:24), interpreters to guide their consciences, not to satisfy their curiosity. Joseph hereupon directed them which way to look: Do not interpretations belong to God? He means the God whom he worshipped, to the knowledge of whom he endeavours hereby to lead them. Note, It is God's prerogative to foretel things to come, Isa 46:10. He must therefore have the praise of all the gifts of foresight which men have, ordinary or extraordinary. Joseph premises a caveat against his own praise, and is careful to transmit the glory to God, as Daniel, Dan 2:30. Joseph suggests, "If interpretations belong to God, he is a free agent, and may communicate the power to whom he pleases, and therefore tell me your dreams." Now, 1. The chief butler's dream was a happy presage of his enlargement, and re-advancement, within three days; and so Joseph explained it to him, Gen 40:12, Gen 40:13. Probably it had been usual with him to press the full-ripe grapes immediately into Pharaoh's cup, the simplicity of that age not being acquainted with the modern arts of making the wine fine. Observe, Joseph foretold the chief butler's deliverance, but he did not foresee his own. He had long before dreamt of his own honour, and the obeisance which his brethren should do to him, with the remembrance of which he must now support himself, without any new or fresh discoveries. The visions that are for the comfort of God's saints are for a great while to come, and relate to things that are very far off, while the foresights of others, like this recorded there, look but three days before them. 2. The chief baker's dream portended his ignominious death, Gen 40:18, Gen 40:19. The happy interpretation of the other's dream encouraged him to relate his. Thus hypocrites, when they hear good things promised to good Christians, would put in for a share, though they have no part nor lot in the matter. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought him no better tidings. Ministers are but interpreters, they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is; if therefore they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Bad dreams cannot expect a good interpretation.
V. The improvement Joseph made of this opportunity to get a friend at court, Gen 40:14, Gen 40:15. He modestly bespoke the favour of the chief butler, whose preferment he foretold: But think of me when it shall be well with thee. Though the respect paid to Joseph made the prison as easy to him as a prison could be, yet none can blame him for being desirous of liberty. See here, 1. What a modest representation he makes of his own case, Gen 40:15. He does not reflect upon his brethren that sold him; he only says, I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, that is, unjustly sent thence, no matter where the fault was. Nor does he reflect on the wrong done him in this imprisonment by his mistress that was his prosecutrix, and his master that was his judge; but mildly avers his own innocence: Here have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Note, When we are called to vindicate ourselves we should carefully avoid, as much as may be, speaking ill of others. Let us be content to prove ourselves innocent, and not be fond of upbraiding others with their guilt. 2. What a modest request he makes to the chief butler: "Only, think of me. Pray do me a kindness, if it lie in your way." And his particular petition is, Bring me out of this house. He does not say, "Bring me into Pharaoh's house, get me a place at court." No, he begs for enlargement, not preferment. Note, Providence sometimes designs the greatest honours for those that least covet or expect them.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–19. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 40:6 captures a poignant moment where Joseph, despite his own unjust imprisonment, demonstrates keen observation and empathy by noticing the profound sadness etched on the faces of Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker. This seemingly minor detail is a critical narrative juncture, serving as the catalyst for Joseph's interpretation of their dreams, an event that will ultimately set in motion the divine plan for his release from prison and his eventual ascent to a position of immense power in Egypt.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs Observation and Foreshadowing. Joseph's keen Observation of the butler and baker's sadness highlights his compassionate character and discerning spirit, setting him apart. This empathetic gaze is not just a character detail but a crucial narrative trigger. The visible sadness of the prisoners creates a sense of Pathos, inviting the reader to empathize with their plight and anticipate what might alleviate it. More significantly, the entire verse functions as powerful Foreshadowing. This seemingly minor detail of Joseph noticing their distress is the divinely orchestrated prelude to the dream interpretations that will eventually lead to Joseph's remembrance by the butler, his release, and ultimately his rise to power, thereby saving his family and many others from famine. The narrative economy is masterful, using a simple observation to propel the entire plot forward towards its providential climax.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:6 offers profound insights into God's intricate workings and the character He cultivates in His servants. Joseph's empathetic observation of the prisoners' sadness, even while he himself was unjustly imprisoned, underscores a deep compassion that mirrors God's own heart for the suffering. This moment is not accidental; it is a divinely orchestrated step in God's larger redemptive plan. God often uses ordinary human interactions and the compassionate qualities of His people to advance His extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that His sovereignty extends even to the smallest details of human experience. This verse reminds us that God is actively working behind the scenes, turning moments of human distress into opportunities for divine intervention and the unfolding of His perfect will.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's example in Genesis 40:6 provides a powerful model for our own lives, urging us to cultivate a spirit of attentiveness and empathy towards those around us. Even when we are burdened by our own trials or injustices, Joseph demonstrates the profound impact of simply noticing and responding to the distress of others. He didn't dismiss their sadness or focus solely on his own plight; instead, he engaged with their pain. This challenges us to look beyond superficial interactions and truly "see" the emotional and spiritual needs of those in our sphere of influence—family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Often, it is in these moments of compassionate observation that God opens doors for us to offer comfort, share hope, or become instruments of His provision, aligning our actions with His divine purposes. Our willingness to engage with the suffering of others can transform ordinary encounters into opportunities for God's grace to flow.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Joseph so observant of the butler and baker's sadness?
Answer: Joseph's keen observation stems from a combination of factors. Firstly, it highlights his compassionate and empathetic nature, a consistent trait throughout his life. Having endured profound suffering himself—betrayal by his brothers, unjust slavery, and false imprisonment—he likely possessed a unique sensitivity to the pain and despair of others. His own experiences would have made him acutely aware of the weight of uncertainty and isolation. Furthermore, as the one entrusted with their care in the prison, he had a responsibility to oversee them, but his "looking upon them" went beyond mere duty, revealing a genuine concern for their well-being. This attentiveness was part of the character God was shaping in him, preparing him for future leadership.
Does this verse imply Joseph had a special ability to discern emotions supernaturally?
Answer: While Joseph certainly possessed extraordinary spiritual gifts, particularly in interpreting dreams (as seen later in Genesis 40:8), this verse does not necessarily imply a supernatural discernment of emotions. Rather, it speaks to a highly developed sense of human observation and empathy. The text states their sadness was visibly apparent ("behold, they were sad"). Joseph, being attentive and compassionate, simply noticed what was clearly evident on their faces. His sensitivity allowed him to perceive their distress and inquire further, which then opened the door for his God-given gift of dream interpretation to be exercised. It was a natural human observation, guided by a Spirit-filled heart, that led to a supernatural outcome.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's empathetic observation of the prisoners' sadness in Genesis 40:6 powerfully foreshadows the profound compassion and identification with human suffering embodied by Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, who, though unjustly imprisoned, ministered to those around him, Jesus, though perfectly innocent, willingly entered the "prison" of human existence, taking upon Himself the ultimate suffering of the cross. Our Lord Jesus Christ continually demonstrated perfect empathy for the distressed, the sick, and the sorrowful, as seen in His compassion for the crowds who were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). He not only noticed human sadness but entered into it, weeping with those who wept (John 11:35) and bearing the full weight of human sorrow and sin on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5). Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of Joseph's compassionate character, for He is the one who truly takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), offering eternal comfort and deliverance to all who are sad, broken, and in need of redemption.