Genesis 40:10 kjv

And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

Genesis 40:10 nkjv

and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes.

Genesis 40:10 niv

and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes.

Genesis 40:10 esv

and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes.

Genesis 40:10 nlt

The vine had three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon it produced clusters of ripe grapes.

Genesis 40 verses

Genesis 40 10 Meaning

Genesis 40:10 describes a specific sequence within the chief cupbearer's dream, detailing the rapid and extraordinary maturation of a grapevine. The verse illustrates the immediate transformation of barren branches into full, fruit-bearing clusters of ripe grapes, symbolizing a swift and complete restoration to a state of productivity and blessing. It highlights divine control over natural processes and the ability to bring about change instantaneously, setting the stage for the dream's prophetic interpretation.

Genesis 40 10 Context

Genesis chapter 40 takes place during Joseph's unjust imprisonment in Egypt. He has been falsely accused and confined to the prison where the king's prisoners were kept. In this setting, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh are also imprisoned, having offended Pharaoh. Both men have unsettling dreams one night. Genesis 40:10 specifically details the vivid dream of the chief cupbearer. Joseph, recognizing their distress, offers to interpret their dreams, attributing this ability to God. This verse provides the symbolic elements—the three branches, budding, blossoming, and immediate ripening—that Joseph will later interpret as signifying the cupbearer's swift restoration to his position in three days. The account serves to highlight God's hand in Joseph's life, his divine wisdom, and His sovereignty over human affairs, ultimately preparing the way for Joseph's eventual elevation to power.

Genesis 40 10 Word analysis

• וּבַגֶּפֶן (U-va-gephen) - "And in the vine":

  • וּ (U): Conjunction "and", connecting to the previous statement in the dream narration.
  • בַּ (ba): Preposition "in/on".
  • גֶּפֶן (gephen): Hebrew word for "vine" or "grapevine." This plant is a powerful and recurrent symbol throughout the Bible, representing fruitfulness, prosperity, and often Israel itself. In a dream context, it represents a source of life and productiveness.

• שְׁלֹשָׁה (sheloshah) - "three":

  • This specific number is significant. It sets a precise timeframe for the dream's fulfillment—three days. Biblically, "three" often indicates completeness, divine timing, or a pivotal point of restoration (e.g., Jonah in the fish for three days, Christ's resurrection on the third day). Its appearance here immediately signals a time-bound prophecy.

• סָרִיגִים (sarigim) - "branches" or "tendrils":

  • Refers to young, pliable shoots or tendrils of a vine. The imagery suggests vitality and the potential for new growth, a clear picture of what the cupbearer’s future would hold: renewal of life and duty.

• וְהִיא (ve-hi) - "and it":

  • Conjunction "and" + pronoun "she/it." Refers back to the vine.

• כְפֹרַחַת (k'forachat) - "as it was budding/blooming/flowering":

  • כְ (k'): Comparative preposition "as" or "like."
  • פֹרַחַת (forachat): Present participle, feminine singular, from "parach" (to sprout, blossom, shoot forth). Denotes a process happening at that very moment, emphasizing immediacy and rapid development.

• עָלְתָה (al-tah) - "shot forth" or "went up/ascended":

  • From "alah" (to go up, ascend, arise). It signifies quick and active growth, describing the vigorous emergence of blossoms. This word choice reinforces the extraordinary speed of the vine's progression.

• נִצָּהּ (nitzah) - "its blossoms" or "its bud":

  • נִצָּה (nitzah): Hebrew for "blossom" or "bud."
  • ־הּ (־ah): Suffix meaning "her" or "its," referring to the vine. This word highlights the transition from barrenness to bloom, representing the flourishing beginning of new life.

• וַתַּבְשֵׁל (va-tav-shel) - "and it ripened/matured":

  • וַ (va): Conjunction "and" introducing a consecutive action.
  • תַבְשֵׁל (tav-shel): Hiphil form of "bashal" (to cook, boil, ripen, mature). The Hiphil here suggests that it caused to ripen, or simply it ripened, indicating the quick progression from bloom to ripened fruit, seemingly bypassing the usual time-consuming stages of development. It implies a divinely accelerated process.

• בְּאֶשְׁכֹּלֹתֶיהָ (b'eshkoloteiha) - "in its clusters":

  • בְּ (b'): Preposition "in."
  • אֶשְׁכֹּלֹת (eshkolot): Plural of "eshkol" (a bunch or cluster of grapes). Denotes the abundance and readiness for harvest.
  • ־ֶיהָ (־eiha): Suffix "her" or "its," referring to the vine.

• עֲנָבִים (anavim) - "grapes":

  • The final, desirable product. The very fruit itself, ripe and ready for use. This denotes the successful completion of the process, a full return to the original function and benefit of the vine.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "In my dream, there were three branches": Establishes the divine or prophetic nature of the imagery (dreams as a channel) and immediately introduces a key numerical symbol (three) linked to specific outcomes in scripture. The branches emphasize growth potential and connection to the vine's essence.
• "and as it was budding, its blossoms shot forth": This phrase captures the miraculous speed of the process. It's not a slow, seasonal development, but an instant emergence, bypassing normal botanical timeframes. It highlights supernatural acceleration.
• "and its clusters ripened into grapes": The climax of the dream's natural imagery – fruitfulness. It signifies not just growth, but complete maturation and readiness for consumption, a full and desirable outcome, illustrating immediate and abundant provision or restoration.

Genesis 40 10 Bonus section

The rapidity of the vine's growth in the dream challenges natural agricultural cycles, subtly contrasting God's immediate action with human expectations of slow, laborious growth (Exo 23:16, Lev 26:5, Deut 16:13). This "speeded-up" reality in a dream communicates divine power that transcends earthly limitations, demonstrating that for God, full flourishing can happen instantaneously. The imagery is deeply resonant with creation narratives where life emerged swiftly at God's command. This account serves to confirm God's authority over time and natural processes, which is foundational to understanding prophetic dreams and visions throughout Scripture.

Genesis 40 10 Commentary

Genesis 40:10 provides a vivid picture of divine speed and complete restoration within the context of the chief cupbearer's dream. The meticulous description of the vine's accelerated growth, from barren branches to ripe grapes in an instant, highlights that God can bypass natural timelines to bring about His purposes. This serves as a divine sign, preparing the cupbearer's heart for Joseph's accurate, God-given interpretation.

The imagery of the vine, consistently rich in biblical symbolism for life, fruitfulness, and prosperity, reinforces the idea of flourishing. The 'three branches' are a crucial detail, prophetically pointing to the 'three days' until the cupbearer's restoration, demonstrating the precise and literal nature of God's revealed truth. This contrasts sharply with human attempts to control or predict the future and firmly establishes Joseph's God-given ability as an interpreter. It further builds confidence in the reliability of God's Word, as presented through His servants. The verse ultimately contributes to the grand narrative of Joseph's journey, validating his character and preparing the way for his later elevation to saving his family and Egypt from famine, showcasing God's sovereignty over all circumstances, even within the confines of a prison.