Genesis 40:7
New International Version
So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

New Living Translation
“Why do you look so worried today?” he asked them.

English Standard Version
So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?”

Berean Standard Bible
So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?”

King James Bible
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?

New King James Version
So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”

New American Standard Bible
So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”

NASB 1995
He asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”

NASB 1977
And he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, saying, “Why are your faces so sad today?”

Amplified Bible
So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in confinement with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so down-hearted today?”

Christian Standard Bible
So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?"”

American Standard Version
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in ward in his master's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sad to-day?

Contemporary English Version
and he asked, "Why are you so worried today?"

English Revised Version
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in ward in his master's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So he asked these officials of Pharaoh who were with him in his master's prison, "Why do you look so unhappy today?"

Good News Translation
He asked them, "Why do you look so worried today?"

International Standard Version
So he asked Pharaoh's officers, who were with him in prison in his master's house, "Why are you so sad today?"

Majority Standard Bible
So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master?s house, ?Why are your faces so downcast today??

NET Bible
So he asked Pharaoh's officials, who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why do you look so sad today?"

New Heart English Bible
He asked Pharaoh?s officers who were with him in custody in his master?s house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Why look ye so sad to-day?

World English Bible
He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he asks Pharaoh’s eunuchs who [are] with him in confinement in the house of his lord, saying, “Why [are] your faces sad today?”

Young's Literal Translation
and he asketh Pharaoh's eunuchs who are with him in charge in the house of his lord, saying, 'Wherefore are your faces sad to-day?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will ask Pharaoh's eunuchs which were with him in guard of the house of his lord, saying, Why are your faces evil this day?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He asked them, saying: Why is your oountenance sadder to day than usual?

Catholic Public Domain Version
he consulted them, saying, “Why is your expression sadder today than usual?”

New American Bible
So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why do you look so troubled today?”

New Revised Standard Version
So he asked Pharaoh’s officers, who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the prison of his master's house, saying, Why do you look so sad today?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he asked the Eunuchs of Pharaoh who were with him in imprisonment in the house of his lord and said to them, “Why are your faces sad today?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his master's house, saying: 'Wherefore look ye so sad to-day?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he asked the eunuchs of Pharao who were with him in the prison with his master, saying, Why is it that your countenances are sad to-day?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cupbearer and the Baker
6When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were distraught. 7So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?” 8“We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”…

Cross References
Daniel 2:1-3
In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him. / So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, / he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.”

Daniel 4:5-6
I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. / So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.

Nehemiah 2:2
so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear

1 Samuel 1:15-16
“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. / Do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.”

1 Kings 21:5-7
Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?” / Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’” / But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

Esther 7:3-4
Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. / For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.”

Job 7:13-14
When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, / then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

Job 33:15-16
In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

Proverbs 15:13
A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Matthew 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Luke 24:17
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces.

John 16:6
Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.

Acts 16:9-10
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.


Treasury of Scripture

And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Why look you so sadly to day?

Wherefore.

Judges 18:24
And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?

1 Samuel 1:8
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

2 Samuel 13:4
And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

look ye so sadly to-day.

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Chamberlains Charge Confinement Custody Downcast Eunuchs Faces House Lord's Master's Officers Officials Pharaoh Pharaoh's Prison Sad Sadly Servants Today To-Day Ward Wherefore
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Chamberlains Charge Confinement Custody Downcast Eunuchs Faces House Lord's Master's Officers Officials Pharaoh Pharaoh's Prison Sad Sadly Servants Today To-Day Ward Wherefore
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.














So he asked
This phrase indicates Joseph's proactive and compassionate nature. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which implies a seeking or inquiring with genuine interest. Joseph, despite his own unjust circumstances, shows concern for others, reflecting a Christ-like attitude of selflessness and empathy. This action sets the stage for God's providential plan to unfold through Joseph's interactions with the officials.

Pharaoh’s officials
The term "officials" refers to high-ranking servants or officers in Pharaoh's court, specifically the cupbearer and the baker. In ancient Egypt, these roles were significant, as they were entrusted with the king's personal safety and well-being. Their presence in prison alongside Joseph highlights the precarious nature of court life and the swift changes in fortune that could occur, a theme prevalent throughout Joseph's story.

who were in custody with him
This phrase underscores the shared experience of imprisonment. The Hebrew word for "custody" is "מִשְׁמָר" (mishmar), meaning a place of confinement or guard. Joseph's ability to relate to the officials' plight is enhanced by their common situation, fostering a sense of camaraderie and trust. This shared suffering becomes a conduit for divine intervention and revelation.

in his master’s house
The reference to "his master’s house" situates the narrative within the broader context of Joseph's servitude under Potiphar. Despite being in prison, Joseph is still under the jurisdiction of Potiphar, indicating the complex social and legal structures of ancient Egypt. This setting also foreshadows Joseph's eventual rise to power, as his integrity and leadership are recognized even in adverse conditions.

Why are your faces so downcast today?
Joseph's question reveals his attentiveness and sensitivity to the emotional states of those around him. The word "downcast" translates from the Hebrew "זֹעֲפִים" (zo'afim), meaning sad or troubled. This inquiry not only shows Joseph's compassion but also serves as a catalyst for the unfolding of God's plan, as it leads to the interpretation of the officials' dreams. Joseph's ability to discern and address the needs of others is a testament to his character and faith, serving as an inspiration for believers to act with kindness and discernment in their own lives.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So he asked
וַיִּשְׁאַ֞ל (way·yiš·’al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

Pharaoh’s
פַרְעֹ֗ה (p̄ar·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

officials
סְרִיסֵ֣י (sə·rî·sê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5631: A eunuch, valet, a minister of state

who
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

were in custody
בְמִשְׁמַ֛ר (ḇə·miš·mar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4929: Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance

with him
אִתּ֧וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

in his master’s
אֲדֹנָ֖יו (’ă·ḏō·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

house,
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

“Why
מַדּ֛וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

are your faces
פְּנֵיכֶ֥ם (pə·nê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

so downcast
רָעִ֖ים (rā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

today?”
הַיּֽוֹם׃ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Law: Genesis 40:7 He asked Pharaoh's officers who were (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 40:6
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