Genesis 40:12-15

40:12 “This is its meaning,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches represent ¹  three days. 40:13 In three more days Pharaoh will reinstate you ²  and restore you to your office. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you did before ³  when you were cupbearer. 40:14 But remember me ⁴  when it goes well for you, and show ⁵  me kindness. ⁶  Make mention ⁷  of me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison, ⁸  40:15 for I really was kidnapped ⁹  from the land of the Hebrews and I have done nothing wrong here for which they should put me in a dungeon.”

[40:12]  ¹ tn Heb “the three branches [are].”

[40:13]  ² tn Heb “Pharaoh will lift up your head.” This Hebrew idiom usually refers to restoring dignity, office, or power. It is comparable to the modern saying “someone can hold his head up high.”

[40:13]  ³ tn Heb “according to the former custom.”

[40:14]  ³ tn Heb “but you have remembered me with you.” The perfect verbal form may be used rhetorically here to emphasize Joseph’s desire to be remembered. He speaks of the action as already being accomplished in order to make it clear that he expects it to be done. The form can be translated as volitional, expressing a plea or a request.

[40:14]  ⁴ tn This perfect verbal form with the prefixed conjunction (and the two that immediately follow) carry the same force as the preceding perfect.

[40:14]  ⁵ tn Heb “deal with me [in] kindness.”

[40:14]  ⁶ tn The verb זָכַר (zakhar) in the Hiphil stem means “to cause to remember, to make mention, to boast.” The implication is that Joseph would be pleased for them to tell his story and give him the credit due him so that Pharaoh would release him. Since Pharaoh had never met Joseph, the simple translation of “cause him to remember me” would mean little.

[40:14]  ⁷ tn Heb “house.” The word “prison” has been substituted in the translation for clarity.

[40:15]  ⁴ tn The verb גָּנַב (ganav) means “to steal,” but in the Piel/Pual stem “to steal away.” The idea of “kidnap” would be closer to the sense, meaning he was stolen and carried off. The preceding infinitive absolute underscores the point Joseph is making.