Topical Bible: Dream: The Dreams of the Butler and Baker

◄ Dream: The Dreams of the Butler and Baker ►

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The dreams of the butler and the baker are significant events recorded in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 40. These dreams occur during the time Joseph, the son of Jacob, is imprisoned in Egypt. The narrative provides insight into the divine use of dreams as a means of communication and revelation, a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures.

Context and Background

Joseph, having been sold into slavery by his brothers, finds himself in Egypt, where he rises to a position of trust in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. However, due to false accusations, Joseph is imprisoned. It is in this prison that he encounters two of Pharaoh's officials: the chief cupbearer (butler) and the chief baker. Both officials have offended Pharaoh and are placed in custody, where Joseph is assigned to attend to them.

The Dreams

While in prison, both the butler and the baker experience dreams on the same night, each with its own distinct symbolism and meaning. Troubled by their dreams, they seek an interpretation, which Joseph offers, acknowledging that interpretations belong to God.

1. The Butler's Dream: The chief cupbearer recounts his dream to Joseph, saying, "In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in his hand" (Genesis 40:9-11). Joseph interprets the dream, explaining that the three branches represent three days, after which Pharaoh will restore the butler to his position.

2. The Baker's Dream: Encouraged by the favorable interpretation of the butler's dream, the chief baker shares his own dream: "I also had a dream. There were three baskets of white bread on my head. In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head" (Genesis 40:16-17). Joseph interprets this dream as well, revealing that the three baskets also signify three days, but in this case, Pharaoh will execute the baker, and the birds will eat his flesh.

Fulfillment and Significance

As Joseph predicted, both dreams come to pass exactly as he had interpreted. On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, the king restores the chief cupbearer to his position and executes the chief baker (Genesis 40:20-22). This fulfillment underscores the accuracy of Joseph's God-given ability to interpret dreams and sets the stage for his eventual rise to power in Egypt.

The dreams of the butler and the baker highlight the sovereignty of God in revealing future events and His providential care over Joseph's life. They also serve as a prelude to Joseph's later interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, which ultimately leads to his elevation as a ruler in Egypt. Through these events, the narrative demonstrates God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine plan, even in the midst of adversity.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 40:8-23
And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Whether Divination by Dreams is Unlawful?
... of holy men interpreting dreams: thus Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's
butler and of his chief baker (Gn.40), and Daniel interpreted the dream of the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by dreams is.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... when Joseph came into the room where the butler and the ... one of us dreamed last night
a very strange dream, and there is no one to tell us what our dreams mean ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

Joseph's Eagerness to Help Others
... And the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were in the prison, both
had dreams the same ... day?" They answered, "We have had a dream, and there ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/josephs eagerness to help others.htm

Chapter xl
... man according to the interpretation of his dream." But pithron ... God or the devil may
influence dreams, as may also ... the ones who dreamed were "the butler and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xl.htm

A Prisoner who Became a Mighty Ruler
... Then Pharaoh awoke, and knew that it was only a dream. ... men of Egypt and told them
his dreams; but no ... Then the chief butler said to Pharaoh, "I now remember my ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prisoner who became a.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember ... told him, and he
interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

The Story of Joseph
... The chief baker was hanged, and the chief butler was set free ... Once again it was a
dream, but this time the dreamer ... men in the land to explain his dreams to him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... Notwithstanding the master butler in his wealth forgat Joseph ... and was greatly afeard
of these dreams, and sent ... gathered he told to them his dream, and there ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Goodness in a Dungeon
... to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a ... after the former manner when thou
wast his butler. ... by interpreting the two high officials' dreams cannot be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/goodness in a dungeon.htm

Joseph and his Brethren.
... were two; one who had been the king's butler, and the ... Joseph was enabled by God to
interpret their dreams for them ... By-and-by Pharaoh, the king, dreamed a dream. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joseph and his brethren.htm