King James Version

What Does Genesis 40:5 Mean?

Genesis 40:5 in the King James Version says “And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his ... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 .

Genesis 40:5 · KJV


Context

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.

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 were sad.

7

And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? look: Heb. are your faces evil?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the in... 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּֽחַלְמוּ֩1 of 19

And they dreamed

H2492

properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream

חֲלֹמ֑וֹ2 of 19

a dream

H2472

a dream

שְׁנֵיהֶ֜ם3 of 19

both of them

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אִ֤ישׁ4 of 19
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

חֲלֹמ֑וֹ5 of 19

a dream

H2472

a dream

בְּלַ֣יְלָה6 of 19

night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

אֶחָ֔ד7 of 19

in one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אִ֖ישׁ8 of 19
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

כְּפִתְר֣וֹן9 of 19

according to the interpretation

H6623

interpretation (of a dream)

חֲלֹמ֑וֹ10 of 19

a dream

H2472

a dream

הַמַּשְׁקֶ֣ה11 of 19
H4945

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

וְהָֽאֹפֶ֗ה12 of 19

and the baker

H644

to cook, especially to bake

אֲשֶׁר֙13 of 19
H834

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

לְמֶ֣לֶךְ14 of 19

of the king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֔יִם15 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 19
H834

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

אֲסוּרִ֖ים17 of 19

which were bound

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

בְּבֵ֥ית18 of 19

in the prison

H1004

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

הַסֹּֽהַר׃19 of 19
H5470

a dungeon (as surrounded by walls)


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 40:5 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 40:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study