Genesis 40:3 - He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Generated Verse: Genesis 40:3

What does "Genesis 40:3" mean?


This verse from Genesis 40:3 is a key detail in the story of Joseph in Egypt. Let's break down its meaning:

"He put them in custody..." - "He" refers to Potiphar, Joseph's master and an official in Pharaoh's court (chief of the executioners, as mentioned in Genesis 39:1). The "them" refers to Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, who had offended Pharaoh and were placed under Potiphar's care. "Custody" means they were taken into confinement or imprisonment.

"...in the house of the captain of the guard..." - This indicates that the prison was actually located within the residence or complex of Potiphar, who was the "captain of the guard". This implies that it wasn't necessarily a state prison as we might think of it today, but rather a holding area for individuals under Potiphar's direct authority.

"...into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound." - This is a crucial link connecting the cupbearer and baker to Joseph. It tells us that Joseph was already imprisoned in the same location, also under Potiphar's supervision. Joseph had been imprisoned after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39).
The fact that they are imprisoned in the same place as Joseph sets the stage for Joseph to meet them, interpret their dreams, and ultimately be remembered and released from prison himself.

In Summary:

The verse means that Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were arrested and imprisoned in a part of Potiphar's house that served as a prison. This was the same place where Joseph was being held after his false accusation. This shared confinement is the catalyst for the next significant events in Joseph's life and eventual rise to power in Egypt. It's a crucial plot point in the overall narrative.

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