401 Now after these things the chief servant who had the care of the wine, and the chief bread-maker in Pharaoh's house, did something against Pharaoh's orders; 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two servants, with the chief wine-servant and the chief bread-maker; 3 And he put them in prison under the care of the captain of the army, in the same prison where Joseph himself was shut up. 4 And the captain put them in Joseph's care, and he did what was needed for them; and they were kept in prison for some time.
5 And these two had a dream on the same night; the chief wine-servant and the chief bread-maker of the king of Egypt, who were in prison, the two of them had dreams with a special sense. 6 And in the morning when Joseph came to them he saw that they were looking sad. 7 And he said to the servants of Pharaoh who were in prison with him, Why are you looking so sad? 8 Then they said to him, We have had a dream, and no one is able to give us the sense. And Joseph said, Does not the sense of dreams come from God? what was your dream? 9 Then the chief wine-servant gave Joseph an account of his dream, and said, In my dream I saw a vine before me; 10 And on the vine were three branches; and it seemed as if it put out buds and flowers, and from them came grapes ready for cutting. 11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and crushing them into Pharaoh's cup, gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. 12 Then Joseph said, This is the sense of your dream: the three branches are three days; 13 After three days Pharaoh will give you honour, and put you back into your place, and you will give him his cup as you did before, when you were his wine-servant. 14 But keep me in mind when things go well for you, and be good to me and say a good word for me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison: 15 For truly I was taken by force from the land of the Hebrews; and I have done nothing for which I might be put in prison. 16 Now when the chief bread-maker saw that the first dream had a good sense, he said to Joseph, I had a dream; and in my dream there were three baskets of white bread on my head; 17 And in the top basket were all sorts of cooked meats for Pharaoh; and the birds were taking them out of the baskets on my head. 18 Then Joseph said, This is the sense of your dream: the three baskets are three days; 19 After three days Pharaoh will take you out of prison, hanging you on a tree, so that your flesh will be food for birds.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 40:1-19
Commentary on Genesis 40:1-19
(Read Genesis 40:1-19)
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.