the king’s cupbearer and baker
These two individuals held significant positions within the royal court of Egypt. The cupbearer, or "מַשְׁקֶה" (mashqeh), was responsible for serving wine to the king and ensuring it was not poisoned, indicating a position of trust and intimacy with the king. The baker, or "אֹפֶה" (opheh), was responsible for preparing the king's bread and other baked goods. Both roles were crucial in the daily life of the palace, highlighting the importance of food and drink in ancient Near Eastern royal courts. Their mention here sets the stage for the unfolding drama of Joseph's rise to power.

offended their master
The Hebrew word for "offended" is "חָטָא" (chata), which can mean to sin or to miss the mark. This suggests that the cupbearer and baker committed an act that displeased Pharaoh, though the specifics are not detailed in the text. This phrase underscores the theme of human fallibility and the consequences of actions, which is a recurring motif throughout the Bible. It also sets the stage for Joseph's interaction with these two men, which will be pivotal in his journey from prisoner to ruler.

the king of Egypt
This title refers to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, who was considered a god-like figure in Egyptian society. The term "מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם" (melech Mitzrayim) highlights the political and cultural power of Egypt during this period. Pharaoh's authority was absolute, and his favor or disfavor could determine the fate of individuals within his realm. This context emphasizes the precariousness of life in the royal court and the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers, a theme that will be further developed as Joseph's account progresses.

JOSEPH INTERPRETS THE DREAMS OF THE CHIEF BUTLER AND BAKER.

(1) Butler.--Heb., one who gives to drink, cupbearer. As we learn in Genesis 40:11 that it was grapewine which he gave the king to drink, this chapter has been the main dependence of the new critics for their proof that the Book of Genesis was not written by Moses. For Herod. (i. 77) says, "The Egyptians make use of wine prepared from barley, because there are no vineyards in their country." As Herodotus was thirteen centuries later than the time of Joseph, they argue not only that the vine could not have been introduced into Egypt at so early a date, but that the records of Joseph's life could not have been put together by anyone acquainted with Egypt, in spite of their exact knowledge in all other respects of Egyptian customs. But when we turn to Herodotus himself, we find the most complete refutation of the previous statement. For, in Book ii. 37, speaking of the liberal treatment of the priests, he says, that they had an allowance of "grape-wine." Again, in Genesis 39, he tells us that it was the custom to pour wine on a victim about to be sacrificed. To one used to the extensive vineyards of Greece and Asia Minor, the comparative scarcity of the vine, and the use of another ordinary drink in its place, would be striking; but that he was guilty of gross exaggeration in his statement is proved by evidence far more trustworthy than his own writings. For, on the tombs at Beni-hassan, which are anterior to the time of Joseph, on those at Thebes, and on the Pyramids, are representations of vines grown in every way, except that usual in Italy, festooned on trees; there is every process of the vintage, grapes in baskets, men trampling them in vats, various forms of presses for squeezing out the juice, jars for storing it, and various processes, even of the fermentation, noticed. Numerous engravings of the sculptures and paintings on these ancient monuments may be seen in Wilkinson's Egypt; and most abundant evidence of the culture of the vine in ancient Egypt has been collected, and an account of the vines grown there given in Malan's Philosophy or Truth, pp. 31-39. It neither is nor ever was a great wine-producing country, but the vine existed from one end of the country to the other, as it does at this day.

Baker.--Wilkinson, Ancient Egyptians, ii. 38, 39, gives proof from the monuments, that they had carried the art of making confectionery to very great perfection.