Génesis 40

1 Y ACONTECIO después de estas cosas, que el copero del rey de Egipto y el panadero delinquieron contra su señor el rey de Egipto.

2 Y enojóse Faraón contra sus dos eunucos, contra el principal de los coperos, y contra el principal de los panaderos:

3 Y púsolos en prisión en la casa del capitán de los de la guardia, en la casa de la cárcel donde José estaba preso.

4 Y el capitán de los de la guardia dió cargo de ellos á José, y él les servía: y estuvieron días en la prisión.

5 Y ambos á dos, el copero y el panadero del rey de Egipto, que estaban arrestados en la prisión, vieron un sueño, cada uno su sueño en una misma noche, cada uno conforme á la declaración de su sueño.

6 Y vino á ellos José por la mañana, y mirólos, y he aquí que estaban tristes.

7 Y él preguntó á aquellos eunucos de Faraón, que estaban con él en la prisión de la casa de su señor, diciendo: ¿Por qué parecen hoy mal vuestros semblantes?

8 Y ellos le dijeron: Hemos tenido un sueño, y no hay quien lo declare. Entonces les dijo José: ¿No son de Dios las declaraciones? Contádmelo ahora.

9 Entonces el principal de los coperos contó su sueño á José, y díjole: Yo soñaba que veía una vid delante de mí,

10 Y en la vid tres sarmientos; y ella como que brotaba, y arrojaba su flor, viniendo á madurar sus racimos de uvas:

11 Y que la copa de Faraón estaba en mi mano, y tomaba yo las uvas, y las exprimía en la copa de Faraón, y daba yo la copa en mano de Faraón.

12 Y díjole José: Esta es su declaración: Los tres sarmientos son tres días:

13 Al cabo de tres días Faraón te hará levantar cabeza, y te restituirá á tu puesto: y darás la copa á Faraón en su mano, como solías cuando eras su copero.

14 Acuérdate, pues, de mí para contigo cuando tuvieres ese bien, y ruégote que uses conmigo de misericordia, y hagas mención de mí á Faraón, y me saques de esta casa:

15 Porque hurtado he sido de la tierra de los Hebreos; y tampoco he hecho aquí porqué me hubiesen de poner en la cárcel.

16 Y viendo el principal de los panaderos que había declarado para bien, dijo á José: También yo soñaba que veía tres canastillos blancos sobre mi cabeza;

17 Y en el canastillo más alto había de todas las viandas de Faraón, obra de panadero; y que las aves las comían del canastillo de sobre mi cabeza.

18 Entonces respondió José, y dijo: Esta es su declaración: Los tres canastillos tres días son;

19 Al cabo de tres días quitará Faraón tu cabeza de sobre ti, y te hará colgar en la horca, y las aves comerán tu carne de sobre ti.

20 Y fué el tercero día el día del nacimiento de Faraón, é hizo banquete á todos sus sirvientes: y alzó la cabeza del principal de los coperos, y la cabeza del principal de los panaderos, entre sus servidores.

21 E hizo volver á su oficio al principal de los coperos; y dió él la copa en mano de Faraón.

22 Mas hizo ahorcar al principal de los panaderos, como le había declarado José.

23 Y el principal de los coperos no se acordó de José, sino que le olvidó.

Génesis 40 Commentary

Chapter 40

The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh in prison, Their dreams interpreted by Joseph. (1-19) The ingratitude of the chief butler. (20-23)

Verses 1-19 It was not so much the prison that made the butler and baker sad, as their dreams. God has more ways than one to sadden the spirits. Joseph had compassion towards them. Let us be concerned for the sadness of our brethren's countenances. It is often a relief to those that are in trouble to be noticed. Also learn to look into the causes of our own sorrow. Is there a good reason? Is there not comfort sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Joseph was careful to ascribe the glory to God. The chief butler's dream foretold his advancement. The chief baker's dream his death. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought the baker no better tidings. And thus ministers are but interpreters; they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is: if they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Joseph does not reflect upon his brethren that sold him; nor does he reflect on the wrong done him by his mistress and his master, but mildly states his own innocence. When we are called on to clear ourselves, we should carefully avoid, as much as may be, speaking ill of others. Let us be content to prove ourselves innocent, and not upbraid others with their guilt.

Verses 20-23 Joseph's interpretation of the dreams came to pass on the very day fixed. On Pharaoh's birth-day, all his servants attended him, and then the cases of these two came to be looked into. We may all profitably take notice of our birth-days, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the sinfulness of our lives, and expectation of the day of our death, as better than the day of our birth. But it seems strange that worldly people, who are so fond of living here, should rejoice at the end of one year after another of their short span of life. A Christian has cause to rejoice that he was born, also that he comes nearer to the end of his sin and sorrow, and nearer to his everlasting happiness. The chief butler remembered not Joseph, but forgot him. Joseph had deserved well at his hands, yet he forgot him. We must not think it strange, if in this world we have hatred shown us for our love, and slights for our kindness. See how apt those who are themselves at ease are to forget others in distress. Joseph learned by his disappointment to trust in God only. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. Let us not forget the sufferings, promises, and love of our Redeemer. We blame the chief butler's ingratitude to Joseph, yet we ourselves act much more ungratefully to the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours; he mediated with the King of Kings for us; yet we forget him, though often reminded of him, and though we have promised never to forget him. Thus ill do we requite Him, like foolish people and unwise.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 40

The history of this chapter is, the imprisonment of two of Pharaoh's officers, his chief butler and chief baker, who by the captain of the guard were made the charge of Joseph, Ge 40:1-4; they both dreamed in prison, which made them sad; Joseph taking notice of their sadness, asked the reason of it, and encouraged them to tell him their dreams, Ge 40:5-8; the chief butler told his dream of the vine and three branches, which Joseph interpreted of his restoration to his office within three days, and desired him to remember him unto Pharaoh when he stood before him, telling him his case, Ge 40:9-15; then the chief baker told his dream of three white baskets of food on his head, which the birds ate, and this Joseph interpreted of his being hanged within three days, Ge 40:16-19; and the events answered to the interpretation, but Joseph was forgot by the chief butler, Ge 40:20-23.