They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph doesn't just claim to interpret dreams; he points to God as the ultimate source of understanding. By asking, "Do not interpretations belong to God?", he humbles himself and directs the prisoners to the divine origin of any true insight, hinting that they should seek God through him. This reveals his growing awareness of his unique, God-given prophetic gift, even while imprisoned.
They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph, falsely accused and imprisoned by Potiphar, is now serving two high-ranking officials of Pharaoh's court. After a period of imprisonment, these two officials each have disturbing dreams, leaving them deeply troubled and with no one to explain their meaning. Joseph, noticing their distress, steps forward, attributing the ability to interpret dreams to God and asking them to share their visions.
You've had a dream that's left you puzzled, maybe even troubled. Where do answers about dreams truly come from?
In this moment, Joseph points the butler and baker to the ultimate source of all understanding: God. The Egyptian officials believed interpretation was a science, something trained professionals or magicians could do. But Joseph, now in prison and experiencing God's hand in his own life, boldly declares, 'Do not interpretations belong to God?' This isn't just about dreams; it's a profound statement about where all truth and revelation originate.
Joseph is in prison, a captive. Yet, he speaks with an authority that goes beyond his circumstances. How did he gain this confidence?
This encounter marks a significant turning point for Joseph. While he's already experienced God’s presence and favor in his life, here we see the dawning of his specific calling as an interpreter of divine messages. He doesn't claim this ability as his own skill or knowledge. Instead, he grounds it in God:
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Understand the original words
chalowm · Hebrew Noun
A supernatural communication from God in the Old Testament, used to reveal His will, future events, or divine warnings to individuals, including both Israelites and Gentiles.
pittarown · Hebrew Noun
The act of explaining or unfolding the meaning of a vision, oracle, or prophecy. Biblically, true interpretation is recognized as a divine prerogative, often requiring God’s wisdom to reveal hidden truth.
Elohim · Hebrew Noun
The singular sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and authority, and He alone holds the final meaning of all things.
This pivotal moment in Joseph's life occurs during his lengthy imprisonment, setting the stage for his eventual rise to power by demonstrating his God-given gift of interpretation and his character amidst despair.
c. 1728 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph, son of Jacob, is sold by his jealous brothers into slavery and taken to Egypt.
c. 1716 BC
Joseph rises in Potiphar's household
Joseph prospers in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, but is falsely accused and imprisoned.
c. 1716 BC - 1714 BC
Joseph imprisoned
Joseph is thrown into the prison of the guardhouse, where he later becomes a trusted figure.
c. 1714 BC— this verse
Butler and baker imprisoned
Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker offend the king and are imprisoned in the same place as Joseph.
c. 1714 BC
Butler and baker's dreams
The cupbearer and baker each have disturbing dreams during the night, which leave them troubled.
c. 1714 BC
Joseph interprets dreams
Joseph, noticing their distress, offers to interpret their dreams, attributing the ability to God. He correctly predicts the cupbearer's restoration and the baker's execution.
c. 1714 BC
Cupbearer restored, forgets Joseph
Three days later, the cupbearer is restored to his position, but he forgets Joseph, leaving him in prison.
Daniel, like Joseph here, acknowledges that any ability to interpret dreams comes directly from God, not from human wisdom or skill.
1 Samuel 9:9This verse explains that a seer (a prophet) in earlier times was called 'seer' because he could interpret visions and dreams, showing a precedent for individuals receiving God-given insight.
1 Corinthians 12:10Paul lists 'interpretation of tongues' and 'interpretation of dreams' as spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, confirming that such abilities are divine endowments.
Proverbs 3:5-6Joseph's immediate trust in God and his attribution of the interpretation to Him mirrors this proverb's call to trust in the Lord and let Him direct our paths.
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…
pooleGenesis 40:8: "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."
There is no interpreter of it, to wit, with us, or to whom we can now resort; for otherwise there were many in Egypt of that profession, Genesis 41:8 . Do not interpretations belong to God? In vain do you expect such things from your wise men, for it is only that God who sends these dreams that can interpre…
Joseph doesn't just claim to interpret dreams; he points to God as the ultimate source of understanding. By asking, "Do not interpretations belong to God?", he humbles himself and directs the prisoners to the divine origin of any true insight, hinting that they should seek God through him. This reveals his growing awareness of his unique, God-given prophetic gift, even while imprisoned.
Joseph, falsely accused and imprisoned by Potiphar, is now serving two high-ranking officials of Pharaoh's court. After a period of imprisonment, these two officials each have disturbing dreams, leaving them deeply troubled and with no one to explain their meaning. Joseph, noticing their distress, steps forward, attributing the ability to interpret dreams to God and asking them to share their visions.
Joseph, falsely accused and imprisoned by Potiphar, is now serving two high-ranking officials of Pharaoh's court. After a period of imprisonment, these two officials each have disturbing dreams, leaving them deeply troubled and with no one to explain their meaning. Joseph, noticing their distress, steps forward, attributing the ability to interpret dreams to God and asking them to share their visions.
"They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”" — Joseph doesn't just claim to interpret dreams; he points to God as the ultimate source of understanding. By asking, "Do not interpretations belong to God?", he humbles himself and directs the prisone…
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Last reviewed October 2026