Genesis 40:8

Translations

Modern

“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.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

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 them, please, to me.”

Latin

Qui responderunt: Somnium vidimus, et non est qui interpretetur nobis. Dixitque ad eos Joseph: Numquid non Dei est interpretatio? referte mihi quid videritis.

Original

Hebrew

English

“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.”

Notes

Genesis 40:5–8

Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker appeared worried because they sensed their futures were connected to these threatening and troubling dreams they could not understand.
Joseph still trusted that interpreting dreams was God's work. He knew he could understand them with God's help. He knew he had not misunderstood his own dreams.

Genesis 40:1–23

Joseph did not lose faith in God’s promises, as evidenced by his readiness to interpret the dreams of two prisoners. He was still convinced that God’s revelation in his own two dreams (37:5–11) was true, and he had not abandoned hope that they would be fulfilled. When the fellow prisoners’ dreams were fulfilled exactly as Joseph said, this confirmed that his previous dreams were from God.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Joseph Symbolic Numbers Visions

Events

Joseph imprisonedc. 1718 BC

Related verses

Daniel 2:47
The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”
Genesis 41:15–16
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:
Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
1 Corinthians 12:10–11
…to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
Daniel 5:11–15
There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,
Daniel 2:11
What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”
Daniel 4:8
But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:
Psalm 25:14
The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.
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,

People

Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt

Glossary

Baker Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Butler Cup-Bearer Dreams Genesis, Book of Interpreter Jacob Joseph Patriarchs, Period of the Prophecy

Topics

Dream: The Dreams of the Butler and Baker Dreams: God the Only Interpreter of Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Pharaoh's Butler and Baker Dreams: The Ancients: Anxious to Have, Explained Egypt: Israel in Joseph Interprets the Chief Baker's and the Chief Butler's Interpreter of Dreams Interpreting Dreams Joseph: Son of Jacob of the Two Prisoners Joseph: Son of Jacob: Kindness of Heart Prophets: Inspiration of

Genesis 40:8

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