Genesis 40:1

The Cupbearer and the Baker

40:1 After these things happened, the cupbearer ¹  to the king of Egypt and the royal baker ²  offended ³  their master, the king of Egypt.

Genesis 40:5

40:5 Both of them, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream ⁴  the same night. ⁵  Each man’s dream had its own meaning. ⁶ 

[40:1]  ¹ sn The Hebrew term cupbearer corresponds to the Egyptian wb’, an official (frequently a foreigner) who often became a confidant of the king and wielded political power (see K. A. Kitchen, NBD³ 248). Nehemiah held this post in Persia.

[40:1]  ² sn The baker may be the Egyptian retehti, the head of the bakers, who had privileges in the royal court.

[40:1]  ³ sn The Hebrew verb translated offended here is the same one translated “sin” in 39:9. Perhaps there is an intended contrast between these officials, who deserve to be imprisoned, and Joseph, who refused to sin against God, but was thrown into prison in spite of his innocence.

[40:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “dreamed a dream.”

[40:5]  ⁵ tn Heb “a man his dream in one night.”

[40:5]  ⁶ tn Heb “a man according to the interpretation of his dream.”