King James Version

What Does Genesis 40:20 Mean?

Genesis 40:20 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday , that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lif...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday , that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. lifted: or, reckoned”

Genesis 40:20 · KJV

Context

18

And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

19

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

20

And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday , that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. lifted: or, reckoned

21

And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

22

But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Read Genesis 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his s... 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. What theological truths about Dreams in Prison emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיְהִ֣י׀1 of 22
H1961

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

י֚וֹם2 of 22

“birthday”

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

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י3 of 22

“And it came to pass the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

י֚וֹם4 of 22

“birthday”

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

הֻלֶּ֣דֶת5 of 22
H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

אֶת6 of 22
H853

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

פַּרְעֹ֔ה7 of 22

“which was Pharaoh's”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ8 of 22

“that he made”

H6213

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

מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה9 of 22

“a feast”

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

לְכָל10 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדָֽיו׃11 of 22

“his servants”

H5650

a servant

וַיִּשָּׂ֞א12 of 22

“and he lifted up”

H5375

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

אֶת13 of 22
H853

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

רֹ֛אשׁ14 of 22

“the head”

H7218

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

שַׂ֥ר15 of 22

“and of the chief”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמַּשְׁקִ֗ים16 of 22
H4945

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

וְאֶת17 of 22
H853

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

רֹ֛אשׁ18 of 22

“the head”

H7218

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

שַׂ֥ר19 of 22

“and of the chief”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָֽאֹפִ֖ים20 of 22

“baker”

H644

to cook, especially to bake

בְּת֥וֹךְ21 of 22

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עֲבָדָֽיו׃22 of 22

“his servants”

H5650

a servant

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 40:20 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 40:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 40:19Matthew 14:6Genesis 40:13Mark 6:21Matthew 18:23-25Esther 1:3

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