King James Version

What Does Genesis 40:14 Mean?

Genesis 40:14 in the King James Version says “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 Ph...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 40:14 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

16

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: white: or, full of holes

Read Genesis 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make m... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּ֧י1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם2 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

וְהִזְכַּרְתַּ֙נִי֙3 of 18

“But think”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אִתְּךָ֗4 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙5 of 18
H834

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

יִ֣יטַב6 of 18

“on me when it shall be well”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לָ֔ךְ7 of 18
H0
וְעָשִֽׂיתָ8 of 18

“with thee and shew”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

נָּ֥א9 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

עִמָּדִ֖י10 of 18
H5978

along with

חָ֑סֶד11 of 18

“kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְהִזְכַּרְתַּ֙נִי֙12 of 18

“But think”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶל13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַּרְעֹ֔ה14 of 18

“of me unto Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וְהֽוֹצֵאתַ֖נִי15 of 18

“and bring me”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן16 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבַּ֥יִת17 of 18

“out of this house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַזֶּֽה׃18 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 40:14 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 40:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 2:12Luke 23:421 Samuel 20:14-151 Kings 2:71 Samuel 25:312 Samuel 9:1

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