This verse from Genesis 40:20 is part of the story of Joseph interpreting the dreams of two of Pharaoh's imprisoned servants: the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. Let's break down what the verse means:
"On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday...": This sets the scene. Pharaoh is celebrating his birthday, a significant event likely with feasting and celebrations. The "third day" refers to three days after Joseph interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and baker.
"...he made a feast for all his servants...": Pharaoh held a large feast to celebrate his birthday, inviting all of his servants to partake. This was likely a grand affair with a display of wealth and power.
"...and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.": This is the crucial part. "Lifted up the head" is a biblical idiom and has two potential meanings in this context, depending on which servant:
For the chief cupbearer: It means Pharaoh restored the cupbearer to his position. Joseph had predicted that the cupbearer would be released and returned to Pharaoh's service, and this is what's happening. He is being "lifted up" out of prison and back into favor.
For the chief baker: It means Pharaoh executed the baker. Joseph had predicted that the baker would be impaled on a pole, and this is also what's happening. "Lifting up the head" can be a euphemism for execution by beheading or other means where the head is raised (like impalement).
In summary, this verse describes Pharaoh celebrating his birthday with a feast and carrying out the actions predicted by Joseph regarding the two servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position and executed the chief baker. This event highlights Joseph's ability to accurately interpret dreams, which eventually leads to his release from prison and rise to power in Egypt.
This verse from Genesis 40:20 is part of the story of Joseph interpreting the dreams of two of Pharaoh's imprisoned servants: the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. Let's break down what the verse means:
"On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday...": This sets the scene. Pharaoh is celebrating his birthday, a significant event likely with feasting and celebrations. The "third day" refers to three days after Joseph interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and baker.
"...he made a feast for all his servants...": Pharaoh held a large feast to celebrate his birthday, inviting all of his servants to partake. This was likely a grand affair with a display of wealth and power.
"...and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.": This is the crucial part. "Lifted up the head" is a biblical idiom and has two potential meanings in this context, depending on which servant:
For the chief cupbearer: It means Pharaoh restored the cupbearer to his position. Joseph had predicted that the cupbearer would be released and returned to Pharaoh's service, and this is what's happening. He is being "lifted up" out of prison and back into favor.
For the chief baker: It means Pharaoh executed the baker. Joseph had predicted that the baker would be impaled on a pole, and this is also what's happening. "Lifting up the head" can be a euphemism for execution by beheading or other means where the head is raised (like impalement).
In summary, this verse describes Pharaoh celebrating his birthday with a feast and carrying out the actions predicted by Joseph regarding the two servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position and executed the chief baker. This event highlights Joseph's ability to accurately interpret dreams, which eventually leads to his release from prison and rise to power in Egypt.