Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. New Living Translation While they were in prison, Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker each had a dream one night, and each dream had its own meaning. English Standard Version And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. Berean Standard Bible both of these men—the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. Berean Literal Bible And they dreamed a dream, the two of them, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream—the cupbearer and the baker, who belonged to the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison. House King James Bible And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. New King James Version Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man’s dream in one night and each man’s dream with its own interpretation. New American Standard Bible Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. NASB 1995 Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. NASB 1977 Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. Legacy Standard Bible Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. Amplified Bible Then the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, both dreamed a dream in the same night, each man with his [own significant] dream and each dream with its [personal] interpretation. Berean Annotated Bible both of these men—the Egyptian (double straits) king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. Christian Standard Bible The king of Egypt’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. American Standard Version And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. Contemporary English Version One night each of the two men had a dream, but their dreams had different meanings. English Revised Version And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. GOD'S WORD® Translation both prisoners-the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt-had dreams one night. Each man had a dream with its own special meaning. Good News Translation One night there in prison the wine steward and the chief baker each had a dream, and the dreams had different meanings. International Standard Version Then the two of them each had a dream. They both had their dreams the same night, and there were separate interpretations for each dream—the senior security advisor and the head chef to the king of Egypt, who had confined them in prison. NET Bible Both of them, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream the same night. Each man's dream had its own meaning. New Heart English Bible And the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. Webster's Bible Translation And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream; the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleboth of these men—the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. World English Bible They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cup bearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they dream a dream both of them, each his dream in one night, each according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker whom the king of Egypt has, who [are] prisoners in the round-house. Berean Literal Bible And they dreamed a dream, the two of them, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream—the cupbearer and the baker, who belonged to the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison. House Young's Literal Translation And they dream a dream both of them, each his dream in one night, each according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker whom the king of Egypt hath, who are prisoners in the round-house. Smith's Literal Translation And they will dream a dream, they two, a man his dream in one night, a man according to the interpretation of his dream; the cup-bearer and the baker which were to the king of Egypt, who were bound in the house of the fortress. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they both dreamed a dream the same night, according to the interpretation agreeing to themselves: Catholic Public Domain Version And they both saw a similar dream on one night, whose interpretations should be related to one another. New American Bible the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were confined in the jail both had dreams on the same night, each his own dream and each dream with its own meaning. New Revised Standard Version One night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own meaning. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they both dreamed, each man his own dream in the same night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they dreamed a dream, both men his dream in the night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the Butler and the Baker of the King of Egypt, who were imprisoned in the house of prisoners. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they both had a dream in one night; and the vision of the dream of the chief cupbearer and chief baker, who belonged to the king of Egypt, who were in the prison, was this. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Cupbearer and the Baker…4The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time, 5both of these men— the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison — had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. 6When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were distraught.… Cross References both of these men— Genesis 41:9-13 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I recall my failures. / Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard. / One night both the chief baker and I had dreams, and each dream had its own meaning. … Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.) 2 Chronicles 9:4 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. 1 Samuel 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. who were being held in the prison— Genesis 39:20-23 So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison, / the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. / And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. … Psalm 105:17-19 He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. Acts 12:4-5 He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover. / So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him. had a dream on the same night, Genesis 41:1-7 After two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, / when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. / After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river. … Job 33:14-16 For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. / 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 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.” and each dream had its own meaning. Genesis 41:25-32 At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. / The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning. / Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine. … Daniel 2:27-30 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / 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: / As you lay on your bed, O king, your thoughts turned to the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen. … Daniel 5:12 did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.” Daniel 4:5-9 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. / When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. … Treasury of Scripture And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. A. Genesis 40:8 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. Genesis 12:1-7 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: … Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. Jump to Previous Baker Bound Bread-Maker Butler Chief Confined Cupbearer Cup-Bearer Dream Dreamed Dreams Egypt Held Imprisoned Interpretation Jail Meaning Night Prison Prisoners Round-House Wine-ServantJump to Next Baker Bound Bread-Maker Butler Chief Confined Cupbearer Cup-Bearer Dream Dreamed Dreams Egypt Held Imprisoned Interpretation Jail Meaning Night Prison Prisoners Round-House Wine-ServantGenesis 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. both of these men The passage refers to two specific individuals, the cupbearer and the baker, who were officials in Pharaoh's court. In ancient Egypt, these roles were significant, as they were directly responsible for the king's food and drink, ensuring it was safe from poison. Their imprisonment suggests a serious breach of trust or suspicion of wrongdoing. the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker who were being held in the prison had a dream on the same night and each dream had its own meaning Persons / Places / Events 1. CupbearerAn official in Pharaoh's court responsible for serving wine. His role was significant as he had the king's trust, often acting as a confidant. 2. Baker Another official in Pharaoh's court, responsible for preparing bread and other baked goods. Like the cupbearer, he held a position of trust. 3. Pharaoh The king of Egypt, whose officials, the cupbearer and baker, were imprisoned. 4. Prison The place where Joseph, the cupbearer, and the baker were confined. It is significant as the setting for the unfolding of God's plan through dreams. 5. Dreams Both officials had dreams on the same night, each with its own meaning, which set the stage for Joseph's rise to prominence. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in CircumstancesEven in prison, God is at work. Joseph's presence in the prison was not by chance but part of God's divine plan. The Role of Dreams in God's Revelation Dreams can be a medium through which God communicates His purposes. We should be attentive to how God might speak to us today, though always testing against Scripture. Trust in God's Timing Joseph's patience and faithfulness in prison remind us to trust God's timing and purposes, even when our circumstances seem bleak. Faithfulness in Small Things Joseph's willingness to serve and interpret dreams in prison demonstrates faithfulness in small tasks, which God uses to prepare us for greater responsibilities. Interpreting God's Messages Like Joseph, we should seek wisdom and discernment in understanding God's messages, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 40:5?2. How do Joseph's actions in Genesis 40:5 demonstrate faithfulness in adversity? 3. What can we learn from Joseph's response to the prisoners' dreams? 4. How does Genesis 40:5 connect to God's sovereignty in interpreting dreams? 5. How can we apply Joseph's attentiveness to others' needs in our lives? 6. What role does divine providence play in the events of Genesis 40:5? 7. What is the significance of dreams in Genesis 40:5 within the biblical narrative? 8. How does Genesis 40:5 reflect God's communication with humanity? 9. Why were the cupbearer and baker chosen for dreams in Genesis 40:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 40? 11. Why would a prisoner like Joseph be entrusted with interpreting dreams for high-ranking officials (Genesis 40:5–8)? 12. If God guided Joseph, why does Genesis 40:19 single out the baker for execution without providing deeper justification? 13. How did Joseph rise to power in Egypt? 14. Genesis 41:39-40: Is it plausible that Pharaoh would entrust total authority over Egypt to someone just released from prison based solely on dream interpretation? What Does Genesis 40:5 Mean Both of these men“Both of these men…” (Genesis 40:5) reminds us that God’s activity does not single out only the obviously “spiritual.” He involves whomever He chooses, whether rulers, prisoners, or servants. • Genesis 41:1–13 shows Pharaoh himself later drawn into God-given dreams; Acts 10:34–35 underscores that the Lord shows no partiality. • Their paired experience will become one more stage in Joseph’s unfolding story of providence (Genesis 45:5–8). The Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker These two officials held trusted positions: the cupbearer safeguarding the king’s drink (cf. Nehemiah 1:11) and the baker preparing his food (cf. 1 Kings 4:22–23). • Their presence signals the reach of God’s plans into Egypt’s highest court; what begins in a dungeon will soon influence a throne (Genesis 41:9–14). • Their contrasting fates (vv. 13, 19) foreshadow the “two men” beside Jesus on Calvary (Luke 23:32–43), where one receives mercy and the other judgment. Who were being held in the prison They share Joseph’s confinement under Potiphar’s captain-of-the-guard authority (Genesis 39:20; 40:3–4). • The setting underscores that God is not limited by circumstance: He speaks in dark places just as clearly as in palaces (Psalm 139:7–12; Acts 16:25–34). • For Joseph, their presence is a divinely arranged appointment that will later open the door to freedom (Genesis 41:14). Had a dream on the same night The synchronized timing highlights divine orchestration. • Throughout Scripture, strategic “same night” events mark turning points—Israel’s Passover (Exodus 12:12), Gideon’s reassurance (Judges 7:9), and Daniel’s revelation (Daniel 2:19). • In Joseph’s life, dreams have been pivotal from childhood (Genesis 37:5–11), reinforcing that God consistently guides him through this medium. And each dream had its own meaning God gives distinct, purposeful messages, not random images (Numbers 12:6). • Their separate interpretations (Genesis 40:12–13, 18–19) display God’s sovereign choice to exalt one and bring judgment on another (1 Samuel 2:6–8; Romans 9:15). • Joseph’s confident explanation—“Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8)—testifies that ultimate wisdom rests with the Lord (Proverbs 3:5–6; James 1:5). summary Genesis 40:5 reveals more than a curious prison anecdote. In one verse we see God’s impartial reach (“both of these men”), His purposeful positioning of people (“cupbearer and baker…in prison”), His precise timing (“same night”), and His definitive voice (“each dream had its own meaning”). The passage assures us that even in confinement and obscurity, the Lord orchestrates events for His redemptive ends, guiding history—and individual destinies—according to His flawless plan. Verse 5. - And they dreamed a dream both of them (on dreams cf. Genesis 20:3), each man his dream in one night (this was the first remarkable circumstance connected with these dreams - they both happened the same night), each man according to the interpretation of his dream (i.e. each dream corresponded exactly, as the event proved, to the interpretation put on it by Joseph, which was a second remarkable circumstance, inasmuch as it showed the dreams to be no vain hallucinations of the mind, but Divinely-sent foreshadowings of the future fortunes of the dreamers), the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew bothשְׁנֵיהֶ֜ם (šə·nê·hem) Number - mdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) of these men— אִ֤ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 582: Man, mankind the Egyptian מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa king’s לְמֶ֣לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king cupbearer הַמַּשְׁקֶ֣ה (ham·maš·qeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4945: Causing to drink, a butler, drink, a well-watered region and baker, וְהָאֹפֶ֗ה (wə·hā·’ō·p̄eh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 644: To cook, to bake who אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that were being held אֲסוּרִ֖ים (’ă·sū·rîm) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle in the prison— בְּבֵ֥ית (bə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house had a dream וַיַּֽחַלְמוּ֩ (way·ya·ḥal·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2492: To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream on the same אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first night, בְּלַ֣יְלָה (bə·lay·lāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity and each dream חֲלֹמ֑וֹ (ḥă·lō·mōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2472: A dream had its own meaning. כְּפִתְר֣וֹן (kə·p̄iṯ·rō·wn) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6623: Interpretation Links Genesis 40:5 NIVGenesis 40:5 NLT Genesis 40:5 ESV Genesis 40:5 NASB Genesis 40:5 KJV Genesis 40:5 BibleApps.com Genesis 40:5 Biblia Paralela Genesis 40:5 Chinese Bible Genesis 40:5 French Bible Genesis 40:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 40:5 They both dreamed a dream each man (Gen. 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