Genesis 41:10

KJV

Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, [both] me and the chief baker:

KJV (with Strong's)

Pharaoh {H6547} was wroth {H7107} with his servants {H5650}, and put {H5414} me in ward {H4929} in the captain {H8269} of the guard's {H2876} house {H1004}, both me and the chief {H8269} baker {H644}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh was angry with his officials and put me in the prison of the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker.

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard.

American Standard Version

Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, me and the chief baker:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 41:10 marks a pivotal moment in Joseph's narrative, as the chief butler finally remembers Joseph to Pharaoh, two years after his own release from prison. This seemingly belated recollection, prompted by Pharaoh's disturbing dreams, is divinely orchestrated, setting in motion Joseph's dramatic release from unjust imprisonment and his subsequent elevation to a position of immense power, ultimately preparing him to save Egypt and his family from a devastating famine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the critical turning point in the extended narrative of Joseph's suffering and obscurity, immediately following Pharaoh's two deeply troubling dreams (the fat and lean cows, and the full and thin ears of grain) that none of his wise men or magicians can interpret. The inability of Pharaoh's court to provide an answer creates a vacuum of wisdom, precisely when the chief butler's memory is divinely prompted. The verse directly references the past events of [Joseph's imprisonment](/genesis/39-20 "Genesis 39:20 - Joseph's Imprisonment") and his accurate interpretations of the chief butler's and chief baker's dreams, detailed in [Genesis 40](/genesis/40 "Genesis 40 - Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison"). The butler's sudden recall of Joseph's unique gift, after a two-year delay, is the narrative hinge that transitions Joseph from the prison to the palace, fulfilling the earlier prophetic dreams of his own exaltation (e.g., [Genesis 37:5-11](/genesis/37-5-11 "Genesis 37:5-11 - Joseph's Dreams")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a highly structured society where the Pharaoh was considered a divine king, and his dreams were often interpreted as omens or messages from the gods. The "captain of the guard" (Potiphar, in Joseph's case) was a high-ranking official responsible for the royal bodyguard and the state prison, making his house a common place for high-profile prisoners. The chief butler (cupbearer) and chief baker were significant court officials, entrusted with the king's food and drink, making their imprisonment a serious matter of royal displeasure. The practice of imprisoning servants for royal "wrath" was a common exercise of absolute power. The fact that the butler "forgot" Joseph for two years, despite his promise, reflects the self-preservation and self-interest often prevalent in royal courts, where one's own position and survival took precedence.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 41:10 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. The most prominent is **Divine Providence**, demonstrating God's sovereign control over seemingly random events and human forgetfulness to accomplish His perfect will. The butler's sudden remembrance is not coincidental but a meticulously timed act of God, highlighting that God never forgets His purposes, even when humans do. It also underscores the theme of **Exaltation Through Suffering**, as Joseph's long and unjust imprisonment serves as a crucible, preparing him for his future role. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's Faithfulness in Adversity**, showing that even in the darkest moments of human injustice and abandonment, God is actively working to bring about His redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the preservation of the covenant people, as seen in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God's Redemptive Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 41:10 states: "Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, [both] me and the chief baker:"

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wroth (Hebrew, _qâtsaph'_):** From H7107, meaning "to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage; (be) anger(-ry), displease, fret self, (provoke to) wrath (come), be wroth." This word vividly conveys Pharaoh's intense displeasure and explosive anger towards his servants, indicating a severe royal indignation that led directly to their imprisonment. It highlights the absolute power of the king and the precarious position of his servants.
* **ward (Hebrew, _mishmâr'_):** From H4929, meaning "a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely); diligence, guard, office, prison, ward, watch." In this context, "ward" specifically refers to a place of custody or imprisonment. The chief butler's use of this term precisely defines the nature of his confinement, which was shared with Joseph, establishing the common ground for their fateful encounter.
* **captain (Hebrew, _sar'_):** From H8269, meaning "a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward." This term denotes a high-ranking official, specifically the "chief" or "head" of the guard. The "captain of the guard's house" was the official state prison, under the authority of this powerful individual (Potiphar, in Joseph's case). The butler's specific mention of this location is crucial, as it directly links his past experience to Joseph's continued imprisonment there.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pharaoh was wroth with his servants":** This clause establishes the initial cause of the chief butler's (and chief baker's) predicament. Pharaoh's "wrath" signifies a powerful, kingly displeasure, indicating a serious offense that warranted severe punishment. This royal anger is the catalyst for the events that follow, setting the stage for the butler's imprisonment and subsequent encounter with Joseph.
* **"and put me in ward":** This phrase details the direct consequence of Pharaoh's anger. The chief butler, speaking in the first person ("me"), recounts his own incarceration. "In ward" means to be placed under custody or in prison, emphasizing the loss of freedom and the severity of the royal decree. This personal testimony lends authenticity and immediacy to his account.
* **"in the captain of the guard's house, [both] me and the chief baker":** This final clause provides the precise location of their imprisonment and confirms the shared experience with the chief baker. The "captain of the guard's house" is explicitly identified as the prison where Joseph was also held. By recalling this specific detail and mentioning his fellow prisoner, the chief baker, the butler sets the stage for his crucial remembrance of Joseph, who had accurately interpreted their dreams in that very place. This detail is the narrative key that unlocks Joseph's future.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 41:10 is rich in **Irony** and functions as a significant **Dramatic Turning Point**. The **Irony** lies in the chief butler's belated remembrance. Despite Joseph's accurate interpretation of his dream and his plea to be remembered (Genesis 40:14), the butler forgets him for two full years. His memory is only jogged when Pharaoh himself is in a crisis, demonstrating human fallibility and self-interest. This forgetfulness, however, is precisely what allows God's perfect timing to unfold, highlighting the deeper **Irony** of divine providence using human imperfection for its grand design. The verse also serves as a **Dramatic Turning Point** in the narrative. It marks the end of Joseph's long period of suffering, obscurity, and unjust imprisonment, transitioning him from the depths of a dungeon to the precipice of power. The butler's words are the key that opens the prison door, initiating the dramatic shift in Joseph's fortunes and setting the stage for the fulfillment of his prophetic dreams and God's plan for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:10 is a profound testament to God's meticulous and sovereign providence. For two years, Joseph remained in prison, seemingly forgotten by man, yet never forgotten by God. The chief butler's sudden remembrance, precisely at the moment of Pharaoh's greatest need, is not a coincidence but a divinely orchestrated event. It underscores that God's timing is perfect, often working through the ordinary, the forgotten, and even human failures to bring about His extraordinary purposes. This verse reassures believers that even when circumstances seem bleak or forgotten, God is actively working behind the scenes, aligning events to fulfill His promises and perfect His plan.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 105:17-19](/psalm/105-17-19 "Psalm 105:17-19 - Joseph's Story and God's Plan")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:10 offers profound encouragement for those enduring periods of waiting, suffering, or feeling forgotten. Joseph's two years of additional imprisonment, after the chief butler's promise, must have been incredibly disheartening. Yet, this verse reveals that even in the midst of human forgetfulness and perceived abandonment, God is meticulously at work, orchestrating events for His perfect timing and ultimate purpose. It challenges us to cultivate unwavering trust in God's sovereignty, even when His plan is hidden and human promises fail. Our present trials, delays, or periods of obscurity may well be the very preparation God is using to equip us for future callings and to demonstrate His faithfulness. This verse calls us to patience, perseverance, and a deep conviction that God's appointed time is always the best time, and His purposes will never be thwarted.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Have you ever felt forgotten or overlooked, much like Joseph in prison? How did you respond, and what did you learn about God's timing?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently waiting on God's intervention or a breakthrough? How can Joseph's story in this verse encourage your patience and trust?**
* **How does the chief butler's forgetfulness, contrasted with God's perfect timing, inform your understanding of human fallibility versus divine faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why did the chief butler wait two years to remember Joseph?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state the chief butler's reasons for the two-year delay, but it implicitly points to human forgetfulness, self-absorption, and the natural course of life in a busy royal court. Once restored to his prestigious position, the butler likely became preoccupied with his duties and perhaps simply forgot his promise to a lowly prisoner. The delay, however, is not accidental from a divine perspective. It highlights God's perfect timing, as He allowed the two years to pass before prompting the butler's memory at the precise moment Pharaoh was in desperate need of a dream interpreter, ensuring Joseph's release was for a specific, higher purpose. This period also served to further prepare Joseph for his immense responsibilities, as seen in [Genesis 41:39-40](/genesis/41-39-40 "Genesis 41:39-40 - Joseph's Wisdom and Authority").

**What does "wroth" mean in this context?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "wroth" (from the Hebrew _qâtsaph_) signifies intense anger, rage, or extreme displeasure. It indicates Pharaoh's profound indignation with his servants, which led directly to their imprisonment. This highlights the absolute power of the Egyptian monarch and the severe consequences of incurring his wrath, underscoring the precariousness of life in the royal court and the gravity of the situation that led to the chief butler's confinement.

**How does this verse demonstrate God's providence?**

Answer: Genesis 41:10 is a prime example of God's intricate providence. The chief butler's sudden and timely remembrance of Joseph, after two years of complete forgetfulness, occurs at the exact moment Pharaoh is troubled by dreams that none of his wise men can interpret. This "coincidence" is divinely orchestrated, demonstrating God's sovereign hand meticulously guiding events to fulfill His plan for Joseph and, ultimately, for the preservation of Jacob's family and the nascent nation of Israel. It illustrates that God works through human actions, even their failures and forgetfulness, to achieve His ultimate purposes, as affirmed in [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's journey, culminating in this pivotal moment of remembrance and impending elevation, serves as a profound type of Christ. Like Joseph, Christ was unjustly treated, rejected by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Came to His Own")), and suffered immensely, even to the point of death, being "put in ward" in the tomb. Just as Joseph was seemingly forgotten in prison before being exalted to save a nation from famine, Christ, after His crucifixion and burial, was raised from the dead ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection")) and exalted to the right hand of God ([Philippians 2:9-11](/phil/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")), becoming the ultimate Savior who delivers humanity from spiritual death and eternal famine ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The divine timing of Joseph's release, orchestrated by God to bring physical salvation, powerfully foreshadows God's perfect timing in sending Christ into the world to accomplish eternal redemption ([Galatians 4:4-5](/galatians/4-4-5 "Galatians 4:4-5 - God Sent His Son at the Proper Time")), demonstrating that God uses suffering, apparent abandonment, and even death to bring about ultimate salvation, glory, and life for all who believe.

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 39:20

And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners [were] bound: and he was there in the prison.

Genesis 40:2

And Pharaoh was wroth against two [of] his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

Genesis 40:3

And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph [was] bound.

Genesis 37:36

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.