Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph doesn't ask for a reward for his dream interpretation; instead, he requests a simple act of kindness—to be remembered and mentioned to Pharaoh. This reveals his wisdom in seeking deliverance through human connection and influence, even while trusting God.
Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph has been interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and baker while imprisoned. After successfully predicting the butler's restoration to his position and the baker's execution, Joseph asks the butler to remember him when he's back in favor with Pharaoh. He pleads for kindness and for the butler to speak on his behalf to secure his release from prison, emphasizing his innocence.
Joseph just interpreted a life-changing dream for the chief butler. What does he ask for in return? It's a masterclass in balancing faith and action.
Joseph's request, "Only remember me, when it is well with you..." (Genesis 40:14), isn't just a casual plea. It's a strategic move rooted in faith.
Faith Meets Action
This shows us that while faith is paramount, it doesn't negate the need for practical steps. We can pray for God's intervention while also wisely seeking opportunities and leveraging relationships He places in our path.
Ask a follow-up
Joseph is in a dungeon unjustly. How does he present his case without sounding bitter or demanding?
When Joseph asks the butler to "make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house" (Genesis 40:14), he doesn't launch into a tirade about his past. Instead, he carefully crafts his plea.
Innocence Without Accusation
In a world quick to assign blame and nurse grievances, Joseph’s approach is remarkably gentle yet firm. He asserts his innocence without needing to condemn others, showing a mature understanding of how to present a case effectively and with grace.
Joseph asks the butler to 'remember me.' But this isn't just about not forgetting; it's about remembering in a specific way.
Joseph's plea, "Only remember me, when it is well with thee" (Genesis 40:14), carries more weight than a simple request to be recalled. It touches on the human tendency to forget those who are suffering when prosperity arrives.
Prosperity's Blindness
This highlights a crucial aspect of human relationships and our walk with God. True remembrance involves actively recalling those in need, especially when we ourselves are doing well. It's a call to a steadfast love that doesn't fade with changing fortunes.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A broad term (Hebrew: chesed) often translated as steadfast love, loyalty, or mercy. It refers to covenantal loyalty and active kindness that goes beyond mere duty, often reflecting God's own character in human relationships.
Joseph's plea to the cupbearer is a masterful blend of faith and pragmatism. While trusting God for eventual deliverance, he wisely uses the opportunity to seek human help, a lesson for us when navigating difficult circumstances.
c. 1729 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph's jealous brothers sell him into slavery, and he is taken to Egypt. This event marks the beginning of his years of hardship.
c. 1716 BC
Joseph imprisoned
Falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph is thrown into the prison of the guard house, the same place where the king's cupbearer and baker would later be confined.
c. 1714 BC
Butler and baker imprisoned
Pharaoh becomes angry with his chief cupbearer and chief baker, and has them thrown into the prison where Joseph is already held.
c. 1714 BC— this verse
Dreams interpreted
The cupbearer and baker have disturbing dreams. Joseph, recognizing their distress, asks to hear them and interprets their dreams, foretelling the cupbearer's restoration and the baker's execution.
c. 1711 BC
Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's rise
After two years in prison following the butler's release, Pharaoh has his own disturbing dreams. The cupbearer, finally remembering Joseph, has him brought before Pharaoh to interpret the dreams, leading to Joseph's promotion to second-in-command over Egypt.
This verse speaks to God's plans for His people, which aligns with Joseph's situation where his current suffering was part of a larger, redemptive plan. Joseph, by asking the butler to remember him, is stepping into that plan, trusting God will work through human means.
Ecclesiastes 9:11This passage highlights that 'time and chance' happen to all, reflecting the unpredictable nature of life Joseph was experiencing. Joseph's request is a proactive step, seeking to influence his circumstances and move beyond mere chance.
Proverbs 18:16Joseph's request to be remembered by the butler, especially after interpreting his dream, is an example of using a relational opening to seek advancement. This verse shows how a person's gift or skill can open doors, and Joseph is leveraging that, hoping the butler will 'make room' for him before a king.
Psalm 105:17-19This passage is a direct retelling of Joseph's story, emphasizing God's presence with him even in his suffering and how his dreams and interpretations ultimately led to his rise. Joseph's request to the butler is a pivotal moment in that divine narrative.
gillGenesis 40:14: "But 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:"
But think on me, when it shall be well with thee,.... He desires no reward for the interpretation of his dream, only that he would remember him in adversity, when he should be in prosperity in Pharaoh's court, and speak a good word for him, which was the least he could do; and though Joseph knew by his own dreams that he…
clarkeGenesis 40:14: "But 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:"
Make mention of me unto Pharaoh - One would have supposed that the very circumstance of his restoration, according to the prediction of Joseph, would have almost necessarily prevented him from forgetting so extraordinary a person. But what have mere courtiers to do either with gratitude or kindness?
Joseph doesn't ask for a reward for his dream interpretation; instead, he requests a simple act of kindness—to be remembered and mentioned to Pharaoh. This reveals his wisdom in seeking deliverance through human connection and influence, even while trusting God.
Joseph has been interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and baker while imprisoned. After successfully predicting the butler's restoration to his position and the baker's execution, Joseph asks the butler to remember him when he's back in favor with Pharaoh. He pleads for kindness and for the butler to speak on his behalf to secure his release from prison, emphasizing his innocence.
Joseph has been interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and baker while imprisoned. After successfully predicting the butler's restoration to his position and the baker's execution, Joseph asks the butler to remember him when he's back in favor with Pharaoh. He pleads for kindness and for the butler to speak on his behalf to secure his release from prison, emphasizing his innocence.
"Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house." — Joseph doesn't ask for a reward for his dream interpretation; instead, he requests a simple act of kindness—to be remembered and mentioned to Pharaoh. This reveals his wisdom in seeking deliverance t…
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Last reviewed October 2026