King James Version
“And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. bakemeats: Heb. meat of Pharaoh, the work of a baker, or, cook”
Genesis 40:17 · KJV
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.
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
And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. bakemeats: Heb. meat of Pharaoh, the work of a baker, or, cook
And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. lift: or, reckon thee, and take thy office from thee
KJV Study — Public Domain
“basket”
H5536properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket
“And in the uppermost”
H5945an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“of bakemeats”
H4639an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
“and the birds”
H5775a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“basket”
H5536properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket
“upon”
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“my head”
H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
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.
Genesis 40:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Genesis 40:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge