Genesis 40:20
New International Version
Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials:

New Living Translation
Pharaoh’s birthday came three days later, and he prepared a banquet for all his officials and staff. He summoned his chief cup-bearer and chief baker to join the other officials.

English Standard Version
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

Berean Standard Bible
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

New American Standard Bible
So it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he held a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

NASB 1995
Thus it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

NASB 1977
Thus it came about on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus it happened on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

Amplified Bible
Now on the third day, [which was] the Pharaoh’s birthday, he [released the two men from prison and] made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker [that is, presented them in public] among his servants.

Christian Standard Bible
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he gave a feast for all his servants. He elevated the chief cupbearer and the chief baker among his servants.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he gave a feast for all his servants. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Three days later, while the king was celebrating his birthday with a dinner for his officials, he sent for his personal servant and the chief cook.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Two days later, on his birthday, Pharaoh had a special dinner prepared for all his servants. Of all his servants he gave special attention to the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

Good News Translation
On his birthday three days later the king gave a banquet for all his officials; he released his wine steward and his chief baker and brought them before his officials.

International Standard Version
On the third day, which just happened to be Pharaoh's birthday, he threw a party for all his servants. He lifted the head of both his senior security advisor and of his head chef in front of his servants—

Majority Standard Bible
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

NET Bible
On the third day it was Pharaoh's birthday, so he gave a feast for all his servants. He "lifted up" the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker in the midst of his servants.

New Heart English Bible
And it happened on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he gave a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birth-day, that he made a feast to all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

World English Bible
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, on the third day, Pharaoh’s birthday, that he makes a banquet to all his servants, and lifts up the head of the chief of the butlers, and the head of the chief of the bakers among his servants,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, on the third day, Pharaoh's birthday, that he maketh a banquet to all his servants, and lifteth up the head of the chief of the butlers, and the head of the chief of the bakers among his servants,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in the third day, the day of the birth of Pharaoh, and he will make a drinking to all his servants; and he will lift up the head of the chief of the cup-bearers, and the head of the chief of the bakers, in the midst of his servants.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The third day after this was the birthday of Pharao: and he made a. great feast for his servants, and at the banquet remembered the chief butler, and the chief baker.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The third day thereafter was the birthday of Pharaoh. And making a great feast for his servants, he remembered, during the banquet, the chief cupbearer and the chief miller of grain.

New American Bible
And so on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, when he gave a banquet to all his servants, he singled out the chief cupbearer and chief baker in the midst of his servants.

New Revised Standard Version
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a banquet for all his servants; and he remembered the chief butler and the chief baker among his servants.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was on the third day, on the birthday of Pharaoh, Pharaoh made a feast for all his Servants and the Chief of Drinking was recalled and the Chief Baker among his Servants.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cupbearer and the Baker
19Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh of your body.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 21Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.…

Cross References
Matthew 14:6-10
On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod / so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. / Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ...

Mark 6:21-28
On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. / When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” / And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” ...

Esther 1:3-5
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. / And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness. / At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest.

Daniel 5:1-4
Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. ...

1 Samuel 25:36-38
When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. / In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone. / About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.

2 Kings 25:27-30
On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. / And he spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. / So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. ...

Matthew 27:15-26
Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. / At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. / So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ...

Luke 23:16-25
Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” / Now Pilate was obliged to release to the people one prisoner at the feast. / But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ...

1 Kings 3:15
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

Hosea 7:5
The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him.

2 Chronicles 18:9
Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them.

Nehemiah 2:1
Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,

Esther 2:18
Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.

Mark 15:6-15
Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. / And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. / So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. ...

John 18:39-40
But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” / “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast to all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

third day.

Genesis 40:13,19
Yet 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…

birthday.

Genesis 21:8
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

Esther 1:3
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:

Job 3:1
After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

lifted up.

2 Kings 25:27
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

Matthew 18:23-25
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants…

Matthew 25:19
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

Jump to Previous
Baker Bakers Birthday Birth-Day Bondmen Bread-Maker Butler Chief Cupbearer Cup-Bearers Feast Head Honour Lifted Officials Others Pharaoh's Presence Servants Third Wine-Servant
Jump to Next
Baker Bakers Birthday Birth-Day Bondmen Bread-Maker Butler Chief Cupbearer Cup-Bearers Feast Head Honour Lifted Officials Others Pharaoh's Presence Servants Third Wine-Servant
Genesis 40
1. The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh are also imprisoned.
5. Joseph interprets their dreams.
20. They are accomplished according to his interpretation.
23. The ingratitude of the butler, in forgetting Joseph.














On the third day
The phrase "on the third day" is significant throughout Scripture, often symbolizing a period of trial followed by deliverance or revelation. In Hebrew culture, the third day can represent divine intervention or completion. This is seen in other biblical narratives, such as Jonah's deliverance from the fish and Jesus' resurrection. Here, it marks the fulfillment of Joseph's interpretation of the dreams, underscoring God's sovereignty and timing.

which was Pharaoh’s birthday
Pharaoh's birthday is a rare mention of such celebrations in the Bible, highlighting the Egyptian custom of honoring their ruler's birth. This event sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plan through Joseph. Historically, Egyptian pharaohs were often considered divine, and their birthdays were significant state events, reflecting their power and the culture's reverence for their leader.

he held a feast for all his officials
Feasts in ancient times were not only social gatherings but also political events. Pharaoh's feast for his officials signifies a display of wealth, power, and authority. It was a time to reinforce loyalty among his court. This context emphasizes the public nature of the events that follow, as the fate of the cupbearer and baker is decided before the eyes of the kingdom's elite.

and in their presence he lifted up the heads
The phrase "lifted up the heads" is a Hebrew idiom that can mean to restore someone to a position of honor or to bring them to judgment. In this context, it foreshadows the contrasting fates of the cupbearer and the baker. The public nature of this act underscores the transparency of justice and the fulfillment of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretations.

of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker
The roles of the chief cupbearer and chief baker were significant in Pharaoh's court, responsible for the safety and quality of the king's food and drink. Their positions required trust and loyalty. The narrative highlights the precariousness of their roles and the divine orchestration of events, as Joseph's interpretations of their dreams come to pass, further establishing his God-given wisdom and setting the stage for his rise to power.

(20) He lifted up the head.--From its use in this verse some have supposed that the phrase must mean "to put them on their trial," or "take account of them" (whence the margin reckon). More probably the words are used to point out the exact fulfilment of Joseph's interpretation of their dreams.

Verse 20. - And it came to pass (literally, and it was, as Joseph had predicted) the third day (literally, in, or on, the third day), which was Pharaoh's birthday, - literally, the day of Pharaoh's being born, the inf. hophal being construed with an accusative (vide Gesenius, 'Grammar,' 143) - that he made a feast - a mishteh, i.e. a drinking or banquet (vide Genesis 19:3) - unto all his servants. "The birthdays of the kings of Egypt were considered holy, and were celebrated with great joy and rejoicing. All business was suspended, and the people generally took part in the festivities' (Thoruley Smith, 'Joseph and his Times,' p. 62; vide Herod., 1:133: Ἡμέρην δὲ ἀπασέΩν μάλιστα ἐκείνην τιμᾶν νομίζουσι τῇ ἕκαστος ἐγένετο; and cf. Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21). And he lifted up the head - here the one phrase applies equally, though in different senses, to both. A similar expression occurs in the annals of Assur-nasir-pal (Sardanapalus), column 2. line 43: "Their heads on the high places of the mountain I lifted up" ('Records of the Past,' vol. 3. p. 54) - of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants - literally, in their midst, as a public example.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On the third
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י (haš·šə·lî·šî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

day,
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

which was Pharaoh’s
פַּרְעֹ֔ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

birthday,
י֚וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

he held
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a feast
מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה (miš·teh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

for all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his officials,
עֲבָדָ֑יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and in
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

[their presence]
עֲבָדָֽיו׃ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

he lifted up
וַיִּשָּׂ֞א (way·yiś·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the heads
רֹ֣אשׁ ׀ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of the chief
שַׂ֣ר (śar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

cupbearer
הַמַּשְׁקִ֗ים (ham·maš·qîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4945: Causing to drink, a butler, drink, a well-watered region

and the chief
שַׂ֥ר (śar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

baker.
הָאֹפִ֖ים (hā·’ō·p̄îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 644: To cook, to bake


Links
Genesis 40:20 NIV
Genesis 40:20 NLT
Genesis 40:20 ESV
Genesis 40:20 NASB
Genesis 40:20 KJV

Genesis 40:20 BibleApps.com
Genesis 40:20 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 40:20 Chinese Bible
Genesis 40:20 French Bible
Genesis 40:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 40:20 It happened the third day which was (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 40:19
Top of Page
Top of Page