Genesis 41:13

KJV

And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, as he interpreted {H6622} to us, so it was; me he restored {H7725} unto mine office {H3653}, and him he hanged {H8518}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And it came about as he interpreted to us-I was restored to my office, and he was hanged."

Berean Standard Bible

And it happened to us just as he had interpreted: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 41:13 marks the pivotal moment when Pharaoh's chief butler, prompted by Pharaoh's own troubling dreams, finally remembers Joseph and his divinely-given gift of dream interpretation. This verse serves as the butler's concise yet powerful testimony, confirming the precise fulfillment of Joseph's earlier interpretations regarding both his own restoration and the chief baker's execution, thereby initiating the sequence of events that will lead to Joseph's dramatic elevation within the Egyptian court.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Pharaoh's recounting of his disturbing dreams to his servants and his frustration that none of Egypt's wise men or magicians could interpret them ([Genesis 41:8](/genesis/41-8 "Pharaoh's Uninterpreted Dreams")). The chief butler, hearing Pharaoh's distress, is suddenly reminded of his own experience in prison two years prior, where Joseph accurately interpreted his dream and that of the chief baker. His testimony in [Genesis 41:9-13](/genesis/41-9-13 "The Butler Remembers Joseph") directly sets the stage for Joseph's summons to Pharaoh's presence, shifting the narrative from Joseph's prolonged suffering and obscurity to his imminent vindication and promotion. The verse thus functions as the narrative hinge, connecting the previous chapter's events of Joseph's imprisonment and interpretations ([Genesis 40](/genesis/40 "Joseph in Prison")) to the dramatic unfolding of his destiny in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, dreams were considered significant conduits for divine messages, and their interpretation was a highly specialized and revered skill. Pharaohs, as divine representatives, often sought counsel from skilled dream interpreters, wise men, and magicians to understand omens and divine will. The inability of Pharaoh's own court magicians to interpret his dreams would have been a source of considerable anxiety, highlighting a perceived breakdown in the connection between the king and the gods. The chief butler's testimony, therefore, carries immense weight, as it introduces a proven, accurate interpreter at a moment of royal crisis. The swift and absolute nature of Pharaoh's justice, evident in the execution of the baker and the restoration of the butler, reflects the absolute power of the monarch in ancient Near Eastern societies.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 41:13 powerfully underscores several overarching themes within the Joseph narrative and the broader book of Genesis. It highlights **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, demonstrating how God orchestrates seemingly coincidental events—the butler's forgetfulness, Pharaoh's dreams, and the timing of the butler's remembrance—to fulfill His ultimate purposes, echoing the sentiment later expressed by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's declaration of God's good purpose"). The verse also serves as undeniable proof of **Joseph's God-given Prophetic Gift**, distinguishing his interpretations, which are rooted in divine revelation, from the human wisdom or occult practices of Egyptian wise men. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Justice and Consequences**, as the contrasting destinies of the butler and baker vividly illustrate the precise fulfillment of Joseph's divinely inspired words.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **interpreted (Hebrew, _pâthar'_):** From the Hebrew root H6622, meaning "to open up" or "to explain" (specifically a dream). This word emphasizes Joseph's unique ability to unlock the hidden meaning of dreams, not through human wisdom or magical arts, but through divine revelation. The accuracy implied by its use here validates the supernatural source of his insight.
* **restored (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** Derived from H7725, this primitive root means "to turn back" or "to return," but also encompasses the idea of "to restore" or "to retrieve." In this context, it signifies the complete reinstatement of the chief butler to his former position and privileges, reversing his previous state of imprisonment and disgrace.
* **office (Hebrew, _kên'_):** From H3653, meaning "a stand," "pedestal," or "station." Here, it refers to the chief butler's official position or established place within Pharaoh's court. The restoration to his "office" implies a full return to his duties, status, and authority, underscoring the completeness of Joseph's prophecy.
* **hanged (Hebrew, _tâlâh'_):** From H8518, a primitive root meaning "to suspend," especially to "gibbet" or "hang up." This word starkly contrasts with "restored," highlighting the grim and fatal outcome for the chief baker, precisely as Joseph had foretold. It underscores the severity of the punishment and the absolute accuracy of Joseph's interpretation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was;"**: This opening clause serves as a direct, undeniable testimony to Joseph's precise foresight. The phrase "so it was" functions as an emphatic confirmation, highlighting the exact and undeniable fulfillment of Joseph's predictions, leaving no room for doubt regarding the divine origin of his interpretations. It establishes the credibility of Joseph before Pharaoh.
* **"me he restored unto mine office,"**: This part of the butler's statement details the positive outcome of Joseph's interpretation for himself. It signifies his complete vindication and reinstatement to his previous position of authority and privilege within Pharaoh's court, directly fulfilling Joseph's prophecy concerning him. This personal experience lends strong weight to his testimony.
* **"and him he hanged."**: This concluding clause starkly contrasts with the butler's fate, describing the grim and fatal outcome for the chief baker. The "him" refers to the chief baker, whose dream Joseph also interpreted, foretelling his execution. This immediate and public confirmation of both the butler's restoration and the baker's execution underscores the reliability of Joseph's words and the swift, absolute justice of Pharaoh's decree.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition**, specifically through the stark contrast between the chief butler's "restored unto mine office" and the chief baker's "him he hanged." This immediate and dramatic opposition highlights the absolute accuracy of Joseph's interpretations and the distinct, irreversible destinies he foretold. This contrast also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as the precise fulfillment of these two minor prophecies sets the stage for Joseph's greater, divinely-inspired interpretations of Pharaoh's dreams, which will impact the entire nation. The butler's statement itself is an act of **Testimony**, serving to establish Joseph's credibility before the most powerful man in Egypt, thereby driving the narrative forward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 41:13 is a powerful testament to God's meticulous and sovereign control over human events, even those seemingly insignificant or forgotten. The precise fulfillment of Joseph's interpretations underscores God's active hand in human affairs, demonstrating that even seemingly random events, like the butler's delayed memory or the dreams themselves, are part of God's larger, sovereign plan to preserve a people and elevate Joseph for His purposes. This moment highlights that God's timing is perfect, bringing Joseph out of obscurity at the exact moment he is needed to save Egypt and, ultimately, his own family.
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's declaration of God's good purpose")
* [Psalm 105:16-19](/psalm/105-16-19 "God's Providence in Joseph's Life")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 41:13 serves as a profound reminder that God is actively at work in the intricate details of our lives, even when circumstances seem bleak, unjust, or forgotten. Joseph's faithfulness in prison, diligently interpreting dreams for fellow prisoners despite his own suffering and the apparent forgetfulness of the butler, eventually led to his dramatic elevation. This narrative teaches us the profound importance of diligence, integrity, and faithfulness in whatever situation we find ourselves, no matter how humble or challenging. It encourages us to trust that God's timing is perfect, and that our current struggles, overlooked talents, or delayed vindications may be part of a larger divine plan that will unfold in due season. Just as Joseph's suffering and subsequent promotion led to the salvation of many from famine, our own faithfulness in obscurity can be used by God for a greater purpose, not just for our benefit, but for the good of others and the glory of His name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the chief butler's delayed remembrance of Joseph highlight God's perfect timing in your own life or in broader biblical narratives?**
* **In what ways can you demonstrate faithfulness and diligence in your current circumstances, even if you feel overlooked or forgotten?**
* **How does Joseph's consistent attribution of his gift to God challenge you to acknowledge God's hand in your own abilities and successes?**

### FAQ
**Why did the chief butler delay remembering Joseph for two years?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state the butler's reasons for the two-year delay, leading scholars to infer that it primarily highlights God's sovereign timing. The butler's forgetfulness served as a divine mechanism to keep Joseph in prison until the precise moment Pharaoh had his troubling dreams, ensuring Joseph's elevation occurred at the most opportune time for God's larger redemptive plan. This delay underscores that God's purposes unfold according to His perfect schedule, not human convenience or memory, ultimately positioning Joseph to save not only Egypt but also his own family from the impending famine, as seen in [Genesis 45:5-8](/genesis/45-5-8 "Joseph's explanation of God's purpose").

**How did Joseph's dream interpretation differ from Egyptian magic or divination?**

Answer: Joseph explicitly attributed his ability to God, stating, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" in [Genesis 40:8](/genesis/40-8 "Joseph's reliance on God for interpretation") and reiterating this to Pharaoh in [Genesis 41:16](/genesis/41-16 "Joseph attributes interpretation to God"). Unlike Egyptian magicians and wise men who relied on human wisdom, occult practices, or false deities, Joseph's interpretations were consistently accurate and rooted in direct divine revelation. This crucial distinction elevates God's power and truth above all human or demonic counterfeits, demonstrating that only the true God can reveal the future with unfailing accuracy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's experience in Genesis 41:13, where he is remembered, vindicated, and elevated after unjust suffering and prolonged obscurity, serves as a profound type of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was unjustly condemned, betrayed by His own, and seemingly forgotten in the tomb after His crucifixion. Yet, His resurrection was God's ultimate vindication, confirming His divine authority and saving power, just as the butler's testimony confirmed Joseph's gift. Just as Joseph's accurate interpretations and subsequent exaltation led to the physical salvation of many from famine, Christ's perfect fulfillment of prophecy and His exaltation to the right hand of God provide eternal salvation and spiritual sustenance for all who believe. The "restoration" of the butler foreshadows the spiritual restoration and new life offered through Christ's atoning work, while the "hanging" of the baker, though a grim fate, points to the ultimate judgment and consequences for sin that Christ bore on the cross, taking upon Himself the penalty we deserved. Thus, Joseph's story in this verse powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign plan to bring ultimate good and salvation out of apparent suffering and injustice, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God who was slain and exalted for the redemption of the world ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Worthy is the Lamb")).

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

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Genesis 40:12

And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days:

Ezekiel 43:3

And [it was] according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, [even] according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions [were] like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

Genesis 40:20

¶ And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

Genesis 40:22

But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.