40:20 On the third day it was Pharaoh’s birthday, so he gave a feast for all his servants. He “lifted up” 1 the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker in the midst of his servants. 40:21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his former position 2 so that he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand, 40:22 but the chief baker he impaled, just as Joseph had predicted. 3 40:23 But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph – he forgot him. 4
1 tn The translation puts the verb in quotation marks because it is used rhetorically here and has a double meaning. With respect to the cup bearer it means “reinstate” (see v. 13), but with respect to the baker it means “decapitate” (see v. 19).
2 tn Heb “his cupbearing.”
3 tn Heb “had interpreted for them.”
4 tn The wayyiqtol verbal form here has a reiterative or emphasizing function.