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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 40:5-19

Observe, I. The special providence of God, which filled the heads of these two prisoners with unusual dreams, such as made extraordinary impressions upon them, and carried with them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note, God has immediate access to the spirits of men, which he can make serviceable to his own purposes whenever he pleases, quite beyond the intention of those concerned. To him all hearts are open, and anciently he spoke not only to his own people, but to others,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 40:17

And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh ,.... All sorts of pastry, as tarts, pies, &c.; Josephus F2 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 5. sect. 3. says, two of the baskets were full of bread, and the third had various sorts of food, such as is usually, prepared for kings: and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head ; all the three baskets were upon his head, but this seems to be the uppermost, which the birds could more easily come at; though... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 40:1-23

Joseph in the round house at Heliopolis. I. THE PRISONERS AND THEIR ATTENDANT . 1. The prisoners . 2. Their attendant . In this new capacity Joseph behaved himself wisely and with discretion. With regard to his illustrious companions in misfortune, he— II. THE DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATIONS . 1. The dreams — 2. Their interpretations . These were— III. THE INTERPRETER AND HIS REWARD . 1. The interpreter ' s request . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 40:1-23

The inspired man. Joseph is already supreme in the narrow sphere of the prison: "all was committed to his hand." The narrow sphere prepares him for the wider. The spiritual supremacy has now to be revealed. "Do not interpretations belong to God?" The dreams are partly of man and partly of. God. Each man dreamed of things connected with his life. The butler of the wine coming from the grape-clusters, pressed into Pharaoh's cup, given into his hand. The baker of the white baskets and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 40:16-17

When (literally, and) the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he (literally, and he, encouraged by the good fortune predicted to his fellow-prisoner) sa id unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three (literally, and behold three ) white baskets —literally, baskets of white bread; LXX ; κανᾶ χονδριτῶν ; Vulgate, canistra farince; Aquila, κόφινοι γύρεως (Onkolos, Pererius, Gesenius, Furst, Keil, Kalisch, Murphy, et alii ); though the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 40:1-23

- Joseph in PrisonAn uncomplaining patience and an unhesitating hopefulness keep the breast of Joseph in calm tranquillity. There is a God above, and that God is with him. His soul swerves not from this feeling. Meanwhile, new and distinguished prisoners are introduced into his place of confinement.Genesis 40:1-4The chief butler and chief baker, high officials in Pharaoh’s court, come under the displeasure of their sovereign. “In the house of the captain of the guards.” It appears that this... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 40:1-23

Joseph’s rise to power (39:1-41:57)In contrast to Judah, Joseph was blameless in his behaviour in Egypt. Soon he was placed in charge of Potiphar’s household (39:1-6). When he rejected the immoral invitations of Potiphar’s wife, she turned against him bitterly and had him thrown into prison (7-20). Again his behaviour was blameless, and soon he was given a position of responsibility over the other prisoners (21-23).Among the prisoners who later joined Joseph were two of Pharaoh’s palace... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 40:16-19

"When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, three baskets of white bread were on my hand: and in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of baked food for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days; within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 40:1-23

Joseph interprets the Dreams of Pharaoh’s Officers1. Butler] rather, ’cupbearer,’ a high court official: cp. Nehemiah 1:11; Nehemiah 2:1. Baker] rather, ’cook.’ It is conjectured that these officials were accused of plotting to poison Pharaoh.8. No professional interpreter was available: see on Genesis 41:8. Do not interpretations, etc.] i.e. It may be that God who sent the dreams will give me the interpretation of them. 9-11. Grape juice mixed with water is used as a refreshing drink in the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 40:16-17

(16, 17) Three white baskets.—Rashi explains the phrase of baskets of wicker-work, but most commentators agree in rendering it “baskets of white bread.” The “bakemeats” were all preparations of pastry and confectionery, as throughout the Bible meat does not mean flesh, but food. (Comp. Luke 24:41; John 21:5.)On my head.—The Egyptian men carried Burdens on their heads; the women on their shoulders (Herod. ii. 35).Bakemeats.—Heb., All sorts of work for Pharaoh the work of a baker. read more

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