The Cupbearer and the Baker
Genesis 40
While in prison Joseph interprets the troubling dreams of Pharao's chief cupbearer and chief baker, telling the cupbearer he will be restored to his office in three days and the baker that he will be executed, and both things come to pass exactly as Joseph said. Yet the restored cupbearer forgets Joseph and does not mention him to Pharao.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW after these things it happened that the chief butler of the king of Egypt and the chief baker offended their lord the king of Egypt.
BrentonAnd it came to pass after these things, that the chief cupbearer of the king of Egypt and the chief baker trespassed against their lord the king of Egypt.
GreekἘγένετο δὲ μετὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, ἥμαρτεν ὁ ἀρχιοινοχόος τοῦ βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ὁ ἀρχισιτοποιὸς, τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτῶν βασιλεῖ Αἰγύπτου.
KJVAnd it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
JPSAnd it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord the king of Egypt.
2
ThomsonAnd Pharao was incensed against his two officers, against the chief butler and against the chief baker
BrentonAnd Pharao was wroth with his two eunuchs, with his chief cupbearer, and with his chief baker.
GreekΚαὶ ὠργίσθη Φαραὼ ἐπὶ τοῖς δυσὶν εὐνούχοις αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῷ ἀρχιοινοχόῳ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ ἀρχισιτοποιῷ·
KJVAnd Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
JPSAnd Pharaoh was wroth against his two officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
3
Thomsonand sent them under a guard to prison—to the place to which Joseph had been sent.
BrentonAnd he put them in ward, into the prison, into the place whereinto Joseph had been led.
GreekΚαὶ ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ἐν φυλακῇ εἰς τὸ δεσμωτήριον, εἰς τὸν τόπον, οὗ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπῆκτο ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
JPSAnd he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
4
ThomsonAnd the keeper of the prison committed them to Joseph and he attended them.
BrentonAnd the chief keeper of the prison committed them to Joseph, and he stood by them; and they were some days in the prison.
GreekΚαὶ συνέστησεν ὁ ἀρχιδεσμώτης τῷ Ἰωσὴφ αὐτούς· καὶ παρέστη αὐτοῖς· ἦσαν δὲ ἡμέρας ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ.
KJV—
JPS—
5
ThomsonAnd when they had been there some days in prison, they both had a dream, in the same night. And the appearance of the dream both of the chief butler and the chief baker, who belonged to the king of Egypt and were in prison, was similar.
BrentonAnd they both had a dream in one night; and the vision of the dream of the chief cupbearer and chief baker, who belonged to the king of Egypt, who were in the prison, was this.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδον ἀμφότεροι ἐνύπνιον ἐν μιᾷ νυκτί· ἡ δὲ ὅρασις τοῦ ἐνυπνίου τοῦ ἀρχιοινοχόου καὶ ἀρχισιτοποιοῦ, οἳ ἦσαν τῷ βασιλεῖ Αἰγύπτου, οἱ ὄντες ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ, ἦν αὕτη.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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, who were bound in the prison.
6
ThomsonAnd in the morning when Joseph went in to them he saw that they were troubled.
BrentonJoseph went in to them in the morning, and saw them, and they had been troubled.
GreekΕἰσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ἰωσὴφ τὸ πρωῒ, καὶ εἶδεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἦσαν τεταραγμένοι.
KJV—
JPSAnd Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and saw them, and, behold, they were sad.
7
ThomsonWhereupon he asked the officers of Pharao who were confined with him at his master’s, saying, Why are your countenances sad to day?
BrentonAnd he asked the eunuchs of Pharao who were with him in the prison with his master, saying, Why is it that your countenances are sad to-day?
GreekΚαὶ ἠρώτα τοὺς εὐνούχους Φαραὼ, οἳ ἦσαν μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ παρὰ τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ, λέγων, τί ὅτι τὰ πρόσωπα ὑμῶν σκυθρωπὰ σήμερον;
KJVAnd 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?
JPSAnd he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his master’s house, saying: ‘Wherefore look ye so sad to-day?’
8
ThomsonAnd they said to him, We have had a dream and there is none to interpret it. And Joseph said, Is not the interpretation thereof from God? Therefore tell me.
BrentonAnd they said to him, We have seen a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Is not the interpretation of them through God? tell them then to me.
GreekΟἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ, ἐνύπνιον εἴδομεν, καὶ ὁ συγκρίνων οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτό· εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς Ἰωσὴφ, οὐχὶ διὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ διασάφησις αὐτῶν ἐστι; διηγήσασθε οὖν μοὶ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd they said unto him: ‘We have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it.’ And Joseph said unto them: ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? tell it me, I pray you.’
9
ThomsonSo the chief butler told Joseph his dream and said, In my sleep there was a vine before me,
BrentonAnd the chief cupbearer related his dream to Joseph, and said, In my dream a vine was before me.
GreekΚαὶ διηγήσατο ὁ ἀρχιοινοχόος τὸ ἐνύπνιον αὐτοῦ τῷ Ἰωσήφ· καὶ εἶπεν, ἐν τῷ ὕπνῳ μου ἦν ἄμπελος ἐναντίον μου.
KJVAnd the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
JPSAnd the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him: ‘In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
10
Thomsonand on the vine three branches and one was flourishing and had produced clusters, and the grapes of one cluster were ripe.
BrentonAnd in the vine were three stems; and it budding shot forth blossoms; the clusters of grapes were ripe.
GreekἘν δὲ τῇ ἀμπέλῳ τρεῖς πυθμένες, καὶ αὐτὴ θάλλουσα, ἀνενηνοχυῖα βλαστούς· πέπειροι οἱ βότρυες σταφυλῆς.
KJVAnd in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
JPSand in the vine were three branches; and as it was budding, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes,
11
ThomsonAnd I had in my hand the cup of Pharao. So I took the bunch and squeezed it into the cup and gave the cup into Pharao’s hand.
BrentonAnd the cup of Pharao was in my hand; and I took the bunch of grapes, and squeezed it into the cup, and gave the cup into Pharao's hand.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ ποτήριον Φαραὼ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου· καὶ ἔλαβον τὴν σταφυλὴν, καὶ ἐξέθλιψα αὐτὴν εἰς τὸ ποτήριον, καὶ ἔδωκα τὸ ποτήριον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα Φαραώ.
KJVAnd Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.
JPSand Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.’
12
ThomsonThereupon Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it. The three branches are three days.
BrentonAnd Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it. The three stems are three days.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἰωσὴφ, τοῦτο ἡ σύγκρίσις αὐτοῦ· οἱ τρεῖς πυθμένες, τρεῖς ἡμέραι εἰσίν.
KJVAnd Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
JPSAnd Joseph said unto him: ‘This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days;
13
ThomsonThree days hence Pharao will take cognizance of thy administration and restore thee to thy office of cup bearer, and thou shalt give Pharao’s cup into his hand according to thy former dignity, when thou wast butler.
BrentonYet three days and Pharao shall remember thy office, and he shall restore thee to thy place of chief cupbearer, and thou shalt give the cup of Pharao into his hand, according to thy former high place, as thou wast wont to be cupbearer.
GreekΕτι τρεῖς ἡμέραι, καὶ μνησθήσεται Φαραὼ τῆς ἀρχῆς σου, καὶ ἀποκαταστήσει σε ἐπὶ τὴν ἀρχιοινοχοΐαν σου, καὶ δώσεις τὸ ποτήριον Φαραὼ εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν ἀρχήν σου τὴν προτέραν, ὡς ἦσθα οἰνοχοῶν.
KJVYet 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.
JPSwithin yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head, and restore thee unto thine office; and thou shalt give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
14
ThomsonBut think of me by thy own case, when it shall be well with thee; and do me the favour to mention me to Pharao and release me from this prison.
BrentonBut remember me of thyself, when it shall be well with thee, and thou shalt deal mercifully with me, and thou shalt make mention of me to Pharao, and thou shalt bring me forth out of this dungeon.
GreekἈλλὰ μνήσθητί μου διὰ σεαυτοῦ, ὅταν εὖ γενηταί σοι· καὶ ποιήσεις ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔλεος· καὶ μνησθήσῃ περὶ ἐμοῦ πρὸς Φαραὼ, καὶ ἐξάξεις με ἐκ τοῦ ὀχυρώματος τούτου.
KJVBut 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:
JPSBut have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.
15
ThomsonFor I have been stolen from the land of the Hebrews; and here I have done nothing, yet they have thrown me into this dungeon.
BrentonFor surely I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here I have done nothing, but they have cast me into this pit.
GreekὍτι κλοπῇ ἐκλάπην ἐκ γῆς Ἑβραίων, καὶ ὧδε οὐκ ἐποίησα οὐδὲν, ἀλλʼ ἐνέβαλόν με εἰς τὸν λάκκον τοῦτον.
KJVFor 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.
JPSFor 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
ThomsonAnd when the chief baker saw that he interpreted well he said to Joseph, I also had a dream, I thought I was carrying on my head three baskets of cakes,
BrentonAnd the chief baker saw that he interpreted aright; and he said to Joseph, I also saw a dream, and methought I took up on my head three baskets of mealy food.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδεν ὁ ἀρχισιτοποιὸς ὅτι ὀρθῶς συνέκριεν· καὶ εἶπε τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, κᾀγὼ εἶδον ἐνύπνιον· καὶ ᾤμην τρία κανᾶ χονδριτῶν αἴρειν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς μου·
KJVWhen 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:
JPSWhen the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph: ‘I also saw in my dream, and, behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head;
17
Thomsonand in the uppermost basket, pastry of all the sorts which Pharao eateth. And the birds of the air devoured those in the uppermost basket on my head.
BrentonAnd in the upper basket there was the work of the baker of every kind which Pharao eats; and the fowls of the air ate them out of the basket that was on my head.
GreekἘν δὲ κανῷ τῷ ἐπάνω ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν γενῶν, ὧν Φαραὼ ἐσθίει, ἔργον σιτοποιοῦ, καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανου κατήσθιεν αὐτὰ ἀπὸ τοῦ κανοῦ τοῦ ἐπάνω τῆς κεφαλῆς μου.
KJVAnd 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.
JPS—
18
ThomsonAnd Joseph answered and said to him, This is the interpretation thereof. The three baskets are three days.
BrentonAnd Joseph answered and said to him, This is the interpretation of it; The three baskets are three days.
GreekἈποκριθεὶς δὲ Ἰωσὴφ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, αὕτη ἡ σύγκρισις αὐτοῦ· τὰ τρία κανᾶ, τρεῖς ἡμέραι εἰσίν·
KJVAnd Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:
JPSAnd Joseph answered and said: ‘This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days;
19
ThomsonThree days hence Pharao will take off thy head and hang thee on a gibbet and the birds of the air will devour thy flesh.
BrentonYet three days, and Pharao shall take away thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree, and the birds of the sky shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
GreekἜτι τριῶν ἡμερῶν, καὶ ἀφελεῖ Φαραὼ τὴν κεφαλήν σου ἀπὸ σου· καὶ κρεμάσει σε ἐπὶ ξύλου, καὶ φάγεται τὰ ὄρνεα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τὰς σάρκας σου ἀπὸ σοῦ.
KJVYet 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.
JPSwithin yet 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.’
20
ThomsonAccordingly it fell out, that the third day was Pharao’s birth day, and he made an entertainment for all his servants and took cognizance of the administration of the butler, and the administration of the baker in the midst of his servants.
BrentonAnd it came to pass on the third day that it was Pharao's birth-day, and he made a banquet for all his servants, and he remembered the office of the cupbearer and the office of the baker in the midst of his servants.
GreekἘγένετο δὲ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ, ἡμέρα γενέσεως ἦν Φαραὼ, καὶ ἐποίει πότον πᾶσι τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐμνήσθη τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ οἰνοχόου καὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ σιτοποιοῦ ἐν μέσῳ τῶν παίδων αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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 the head of the chief baker among his servants.
21
ThomsonAnd he restored the butler to his office, and he gave the cup into Pharao’s hand.
BrentonAnd he restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and he gave the cup into Pharao's hand.
GreekΚαὶ ἀποκατέστησε τὸν ἀρχιοινοχόον ἐπὶ τὴν ἀρχὴν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔδωκε τὸ ποτήριον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα Φαραώ.
KJVAnd he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:
JPSAnd he restored the chief butler back unto his butlership; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.
22
ThomsonBut the chief baker he hanged as Joseph had interpreted to them.
BrentonAnd he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph interpreted to them.
GreekΤὸν δὲ ἀρχισιτοποιὸν ἐκρέμασεν, καθὰ συνέκρινεν αὐτοῖς Ἰωσήφ.
KJVBut he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
JPSBut he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
23
ThomsonYet the chief butler made no mention of Joseph, but passed him over in oblivion.
BrentonYet did not the chief cupbearer remember Joseph, but forgot him.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐμνήσθη ὁ ἀρχιοινοχόος τοῦ Ἰωσὴφ, ἀλλαʼ ἐπελάθετο αὐτοῦ.
KJVYet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
JPSYet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.