King James Version

What Does Genesis 40:13 Mean?

Genesis 40:13 in the King James Version says “Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh'... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. lift: or, reckon

Genesis 40:13 · KJV


Context

11

And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

12

And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:

13

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. lift: or, reckon

14

But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: think: Heb. remember me with thee

15

For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou sh... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
בְּע֣וֹד׀1 of 19

Yet

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת2 of 19

within three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָמִ֗ים3 of 19

days

H3117

a 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 asso

יִשָּׂ֤א4 of 19

lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פַּרְעֹה֙5 of 19

Pharaoh's

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֶת6 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹאשֶׁ֔ךָ7 of 19

thine head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַהֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֖8 of 19

and restore

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל9 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כַּנֶּ֑ךָ10 of 19

thee unto thy place

H3653

a stand, i.e., pedestal or station

וְנָֽתַתָּ֤11 of 19

and thou shalt deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

כוֹס12 of 19

cup

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

פַּרְעֹה֙13 of 19

Pharaoh's

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

בְּיָד֔וֹ14 of 19

into his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כַּמִּשְׁפָּט֙15 of 19

manner

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן16 of 19

after the former

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיִ֖יתָ18 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַשְׁקֵֽהוּ׃19 of 19
H4945

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 40:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 40:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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