Genesis 40 11

Genesis 40:11 kjv

And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

Genesis 40:11 nkjv

Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."

Genesis 40:11 niv

Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup and put the cup in his hand."

Genesis 40:11 esv

Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."

Genesis 40:11 nlt

I was holding Pharaoh's wine cup in my hand, so I took a cluster of grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."

Genesis 40 verses

Genesis 40 11 meaning

This verse details the central action within the chief cupbearer's dream, which Joseph later interprets. It vividly describes the process by which the cupbearer prepares and serves a drink directly to Pharaoh. The actions—taking grapes, pressing their juice into Pharaoh's cup, and then personally handing the cup to Pharaoh—symbolize his return to a position of intimate trust, service, and direct access to the highest authority in the land. This meticulous portrayal signifies a full restoration of his specific duties and royal favor.

Genesis 40 11 Context

Genesis chapter 40 takes place within the narrative of Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. While in prison, he encounters Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, who have also been incarcerated. Both men have troubling dreams on the same night. This particular verse describes a detailed portion of the chief cupbearer's dream, specifically the action of preparing a drink for Pharaoh, which sets the stage for Joseph's divinely inspired interpretation in the subsequent verses. Historically, the chief cupbearer was a position of immense trust and influence in ancient courts, as they were responsible for the ruler's drink, guarding against poison, and often served as a close confidante.

Genesis 40 11 Word analysis

• And Pharaoh's cup: This refers to the specific vessel reserved for the ruler. It symbolizes authority, health, and security, being unique and handled only by trusted individuals.
  • Hebrew: כּוֹס פַּרְעֹה (kos Par'oh). Kos (cup) signifies not just a drinking vessel but also one's lot, destiny, or share. The cup of Pharaoh implies its importance and direct association with royal life and power.
• was in my hand: Signifies the cupbearer's direct responsibility and access. This physical possession denotes trust and the intimate nature of his service.
  • Hebrew: בְּיָדִי (b'yadi). The pre-eminence of the cupbearer's hand holding the cup suggests not just mere holding but control and the capacity to serve directly.
• and I took: A deliberate, purposeful action. The cupbearer actively selects the raw material for the king's drink.
  • Hebrew: וָאֶקַּח (va'ekkaḥ, from verb לקח laqach). Laqach means "to take, seize, fetch," implying active engagement and intention in fulfilling a duty.
• the grapes: The natural fruit, raw material for wine. They represent life, fertility, and the fresh, uncorrupted source of the drink.
  • Hebrew: אֶת־הָעֲנָבִים (et-ha'anavim). Grapes were a primary source of sustenance and delight in ancient Egypt and the broader Ancient Near East. Their presence symbolizes life and nourishment.
• and pressed them: The act of extracting juice, a transformative process. It implies effort and skill to prepare something suitable for the king.
  • Hebrew: וָאֶשְׂחַט (va'esḥat, from verb שׂחט saḥat). Saḥat specifically refers to pressing or squeezing, particularly juice from grapes. This is a very precise, manual action requiring close attention.
• into Pharaoh's cup: The direct, immediate destination of the freshly pressed juice. This underscores the purity and promptness of the service.
• and I gave the cup: The culmination of the preparation process; the act of presenting the finished drink. It denotes completion of the duty.
  • Hebrew: וָאֶתֵּן (va'etten, from verb נתן natan). Natan means "to give, put, set," emphasizing the offering or presentation.
• into Pharaoh's hand: The final step, showing direct, personal service and ultimate delivery to the sovereign.
  • Hebrew: אֶל־כַּף פַּרְעֹה (el-kaf Par'oh). Kaf here specifically means the palm or hollow of the hand, emphasizing the personal and precise act of placing the cup into Pharaoh's grasp. This signifies direct and intimate contact.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them": This segment outlines the initial state of privilege (cup in hand) and the specific, purposeful actions involved in preparing the royal drink. It emphasizes the active engagement and skill required for the task. The shift from having the cup to actively processing the grapes shows an immediate readiness and devotion to service.
• "pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand": This second segment describes the culmination of the service. It highlights the transformation of the raw material into a suitable offering and its final delivery to the highest authority. The meticulous details underscore the cupbearer's trusted and essential role in ensuring Pharaoh's well-being and satisfaction. The repeated mention of "Pharaoh's cup" and "Pharaoh's hand" stresses the exclusive, personal nature of this service and its royal significance.

Genesis 40 11 Bonus section

• The level of detail in this dream, portraying the cupbearer's exact duties, reflects God's specific knowledge and sovereign involvement in even mundane, daily events of individuals who will play a role in His broader plan.
• This dream’s straightforward nature contrasts with Pharaoh’s more complex, symbolic dreams later (Gen 41), indicating different levels of divine communication for different purposes or audiences.
• The cupbearer's dream, centered around providing refreshment and sustenance to the king, stood in stark contrast to the chief baker's dream which implied taking sustenance (food) to the king but resulting in a different outcome, highlighting themes of life versus death.
• The meticulous process of extracting fresh juice directly into the cup for the king reflects a high standard of purity and dedication expected from the most trusted royal servants.

Genesis 40 11 Commentary

Genesis 40:11, though simple in its description, is deeply significant as it reveals the essence of the cupbearer's trusted role and directly prefigures his future. The verse's detailed portrayal of the cupbearer's actions—taking, pressing, and giving—is not merely descriptive; it signifies the return to a function of unique intimacy and critical service to Pharaoh. The presence of "Pharaoh's cup" in the cupbearer's "hand" (representing stewardship) and its eventual delivery to Pharaoh's "hand" (representing restoration and renewed favor) powerfully communicates a full circle of his re-establishment. It shows divine insight into the minutiae of daily royal life and underscores God's sovereignty over human positions and fortunes, preparing the way for Joseph's own rise through precise interpretation.