Genesis 40:4
The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Joseph is in prison, the captain of the guard, likely Potiphar, places two royal officials in his care. This isn't to make Joseph a jailer, but rather to have him serve them, a subtle shift indicating a degree of trust and lessened status as a mere prisoner.
Pharaoh, angered by two of his chief officials—the cupbearer and the baker—imprisons them in the very place where Joseph is held captive. The captain of the guard, likely Potiphar, now entrusts these distinguished prisoners to Joseph's care, not as a fellow inmate but as a servant to attend to their needs. This period in custody lasts for an indefinite time, during which both men have significant dreams.
Joseph is in prison, but something shifts. Suddenly, he's not just locked up; he's put in charge of two important guests. What does this change reveal about his situation?
In Genesis 40:4, the text states, 'The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he attended them.' This is a subtle but significant shift. While Joseph is still in custody, his role changes from a general prisoner to a personal attendant for the chief butler and chief baker.
A New Responsibility
Commentators suggest that 'charged Joseph with them' implies Potiphar (the captain of the guard) entrusted Joseph with their care. This wasn't about watching them as fellow criminals, but serving them as high-ranking officials. Joseph, who was previously put in charge of the prison (Genesis 39:22), is now specifically assigned to wait on these two men.
Signs of Favor
This appointment might seem strange given Joseph's imprisonment. However, it hints at Potiphar's growing trust in Joseph's character and competence, even if he couldn't release him entirely due to circumstances (perhaps related to his wife's accusation or maintaining appearances).
This change in duty isn't just a plot point; it's a divine setup, positioning Joseph to interact with those whose dreams will soon unlock his path to freedom and influence.
The verse mentions the prisoners continued 'a season' in custody. What does this 'season' really mean, and how does it set the stage for what's next?
The phrase 'they continued a season in ward' is intentionally vague. The Hebrew word simply means 'days,' implying an indefinite period.
A Period of Waiting
Commentaries suggest this 'season' could have been a significant length of time. Some even propose it was a full year, especially since the interpretation of the dreams leads to their release on Pharaoh's birthday (Genesis 40:20), implying they may have offended on the previous year's birthday.
God's Timing, Not Ours
This verse places Joseph in a period of extended waiting in prison. The presence of the butler and baker, both high-ranking officials, sets the stage for divine intervention through dreams, a common way God communicated in that era. The indefinite 'season' of their imprisonment, potentially a full year, highlights Joseph's patience and God's timing.
c. 1729 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt.
c. 1728 BC
Joseph falsely accused and imprisoned
Joseph is falsely accused of attempted rape by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison, despite being a trusted servant.
c. 1717 BC— this verse
Butler and baker imprisoned
The chief butler and chief baker of Pharaoh are imprisoned for offending their lord, the king of Egypt. They are placed in the same prison where Joseph is held.
c. 1717 BC
Butler and baker's dreams
The butler and baker each have significant dreams, which they share with Joseph, who interprets them.
This passage highlights God's presence and favor with Joseph even in prison, showing that his good treatment and appointments stemmed from divine favor, not just the jailer's kindness.
Psalm 105:17-18This Psalm recounts Joseph's story, mentioning his imprisonment and the afflictions he endured, framing his suffering as part of God's plan to bring him to a position of leadership.
Romans 8:28This verse speaks to the overarching principle that God works all things for good for those who love Him, which is a clear theme in Joseph's life, including his time serving the prisoners.
Philippians 2:14-15The instruction to do everything without grumbling or disputing, shining like lights in the world, directly applies to Joseph's faithful service in the prison, even while awaiting his own vindication.
clarkeGenesis 40:4: "And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward."
They continued a season - ימים yamim, literally days; how long we cannot tell. But many suppose the word signifies a complete year; and as Pharaoh called them to an account on his birthday, Genesis 40:20 , Calmet supposes they had offended on the preceding birthday, and thus had been one whole year in prison.
calvinGenesis 40:1-23: "And 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."
Fuit autem, posthaec peccaverunt pincerna regis AEgypti, et pistor contra dominum suum regem. Aegypti, et pistor conra dominum suum regen. Aegypti.
And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
Itaque iratus est Pharao contra utrumque satrapam suum, contra pr…
While Joseph is in prison, the captain of the guard, likely Potiphar, places two royal officials in his care. This isn't to make Joseph a jailer, but rather to have him serve them, a subtle shift indicating a degree of trust and lessened status as a mere prisoner.
Pharaoh, angered by two of his chief officials—the cupbearer and the baker—imprisons them in the very place where Joseph is held captive. The captain of the guard, likely Potiphar, now entrusts these distinguished prisoners to Joseph's care, not as a fellow inmate but as a servant to attend to their needs. This period in custody lasts for an indefinite time, during which both men have significant dreams.
Pharaoh, angered by two of his chief officials—the cupbearer and the baker—imprisons them in the very place where Joseph is held captive. The captain of the guard, likely Potiphar, now entrusts these distinguished prisoners to Joseph's care, not as a fellow inmate but as a servant to attend to their needs. This period in custody lasts for an indefinite time, during which both men have significant dreams.
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This period of waiting is crucial. It wasn't just idle time; it was a divinely ordained pause. Joseph was being prepared, and these two men were being brought into proximity with him at God's precise moment.
This extended 'season' tests Joseph's patience and highlights God's sovereign hand, orchestrating events behind the scenes, even when the outcome isn't immediately apparent. It underscores that God's plans unfold in His time, not ours.
c. 1717 BC
Butler's release and forgetfulness
Joseph correctly interprets the butler's dream, foretelling his release within three days. The butler is restored to his position but forgets Joseph.
c. 1715 BC
Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's release
Pharaoh has troubling dreams, and the chief butler finally remembers Joseph, leading to Joseph's interpretation and his release from prison.
"The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody." — While Joseph is in prison, the captain of the guard, likely Potiphar, places two royal officials in his care. This isn't to make Joseph a jailer, but rather to have him serve them, a subtle shift i…
