Genesis 40:4

40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

KJV

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The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. ¶

40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

What does Genesis 40:4 mean?

Genesis 40:4 is a verse in the book of Genesis, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שַׂר (sar), טַבָּח (ṭabbâch), פָּקַד (pâqad). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

the

captainשַׂרsar/sar/H8269a head person (of any rank or class)

the

guardטַבָּחṭabbâch/tab-bawkh'/H2876properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)

chargedפָּקַדpâqad/paw-kad'/H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.

JosephיוֹסֵףYôwçêph/yo-safe'/H3130Joseph, the name of seven Israelites

with

them,

and

servedשָׁרַתshârath/shaw-rath'/H8334to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

them:

and

they

continued

seasonיוֹםyôwm/yome/H3117a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)

ward.מִשְׁמָרmishmâr/mish-mawr'/H4929a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)

Commentary on Genesis 40:4

HENRY_FULL · Genesis 40:3–6

nd Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. 3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. We should not have had this story of Pharaoh's butler and baker recorded in scripture if it had not been serviceable to Joseph's preferment. The world stands for the sake of the church, and is governed for its good. Observe, 1. Two of the great officers of Pharaoh's court, having offended the king, are committed to prison. Note, High places are slippery places; nothing more uncertain than the favour of princes. Those that make God's favour their happiness, and his service their business, will find him a better Master than Pharaoh was, and not so extreme to mark what they do amiss. Many conjectures there are concerning the offence of these servants of Pharaoh; some make it no less than an attempt to take away his life, others no more than the casual lighting of a fly into his cup and a little sand into his bread. Whatever it was, Providence by this means brought them into the prison where Joseph was. 2. The captain of the guard himself, who was Potiphar, charged Joseph with them ( v. 4 ), which intimates that he began now to be reconciled to him, and perhaps to be convinced of his innocence, though he durst not release him for fear of disobliging his wife. John Baptist must lose his head, to please Herodias. 5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. 6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 37:36

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. officer: Heb. eunuch: but the word doth signify not only eunuchs, but also chamberlains, courtiers, and officers captain: or, chief marshal: Heb. chief of the slaughter men, or executioners

Genesis 39:1

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. shewed: Heb. extended kindness unto him

Psalms 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Commit: Heb. Roll thy way upon

People & places in this verse

People

Joseph

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Genesis 40:4.

Genesis 40:3

And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Genesis 39:1

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

Genesis 39:4

And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Genesis 41:10

Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:

Genesis 37:36

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. shewed: Heb. extended kindness unto him

Genesis 39:22

And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

Genesis 39:5

And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Frequently asked questions

What does Genesis 40:4 say?

Genesis 40:4 (King James Version) reads: "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward."

Is Genesis 40:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Genesis 40:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Genesis.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses.

Reflect

As you read Genesis 40:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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