King James Version

What Does Genesis 40:7 Mean?

Genesis 40:7 in the King James Version says “And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly t...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Genesis 40:7 · KJV

Context

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?

8

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

9

And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;

Read Genesis 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefor... 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. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיִּשְׁאַ֞ל1 of 14

“And he asked”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

אֶת2 of 14
H853

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

סְרִיסֵ֣י3 of 14

“officers”

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

פַרְעֹ֗ה4 of 14

“Pharaoh's”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֲשֶׁ֨ר5 of 14
H834

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

אִתּ֧וֹ6 of 14
H854

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

בְמִשְׁמַ֛ר7 of 14

“that were with him in the ward”

H4929

a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)

בֵּ֥ית8 of 14

“house”

H1004

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

אֲדֹנָ֖יו9 of 14

“of his lord's”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

לֵאמֹ֑ר10 of 14

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַדּ֛וּעַ11 of 14
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

פְּנֵיכֶ֥ם12 of 14

“Wherefore look”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

רָעִ֖ים13 of 14

“ye so sadly”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַיּֽוֹם׃14 of 14

“to day”

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

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 40:7 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 40:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 2:21 Samuel 1:8Luke 24:17Judges 18:242 Samuel 13:4

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