Genesis 40:12 kjv

And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:

Genesis 40:12 nkjv

And Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days.

Genesis 40:12 niv

"This is what it means," Joseph said to him. "The three branches are three days.

Genesis 40:12 esv

Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.

Genesis 40:12 nlt

"This is what the dream means," Joseph said. "The three branches represent three days.

Genesis 40 verses

Genesis 40 12 Meaning

Genesis 40:12 reveals Joseph's divinely given interpretation of the chief cupbearer's dream. Joseph, under God's inspiration, declares that the "three branches" of the vine seen in the dream directly symbolize "three days." This signifies the specific timeframe for the fulfillment of the dream, which Joseph then goes on to explain will result in the cupbearer's restoration to his position in Pharaoh's service. It highlights God's sovereignty over future events and His ability to communicate His plans through His chosen servants.

Genesis 40 12 Context

Genesis chapter 40 takes place during Joseph's unjust imprisonment in Egypt. He is in the custody of the captain of the guard, along with Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, who have also been imprisoned. Both the cupbearer and baker have disturbing dreams, and observing their distress, Joseph inquires about their trouble. They tell him they have had dreams but there is no one to interpret them. It is at this critical juncture, immediately after their complaint, that Joseph reminds them that "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Gen 40:8), thus setting the stage for his divine explanation of the cupbearer's dream, which begins with the verse under analysis. This period in prison is pivotal in God's plan, preparing Joseph for his elevation and ultimate role in preserving Jacob's family and the lineage of promise. Dreams were a significant part of ancient Egyptian culture, often seen as messages from deities or omens, and interpretation was a highly valued skill, usually associated with priests or wise men, which sets Joseph's divinely given insight apart.

Genesis 40 12 Word analysis

• Then Joseph said to him,: Joseph acts as a direct conduit for God's message. This phrase emphasizes his role not as a wise man using human intuition, but as an instrument of divine revelation, humble before God's interpretive power.

• 'This is the meaning of it:

  • "meaning" (Hebrew: pitron, פִּתְרוֹן): This crucial word denotes an authoritative, divine interpretation or solution to a riddle or dream. It implies clarity, certainty, and truth derived from a higher source, not mere speculation or guesswork. This term also appears in Daniel, further linking the concept of God revealing mysteries through His servants. Joseph doesn't just guess; he delivers a certain interpretation.
  • This phrase clearly establishes that the explanation that follows is the direct, intended truth of the dream's symbols. It signals a decoding of the divine message embedded in the imagery.

• The three branches are three days;

  • "The three branches" (Hebrew: shloshet ha-sarigim, שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַשָּׂרִיגִים): This refers to the specific symbolic element from the chief cupbearer's dream, described earlier in Gen 40:10. Joseph pinpoints the direct correlation, highlighting God's precision in His symbolic communication.
  • "are" (Hebrew: hem, הֵם, literally "they are"): This verb serves as a statement of direct equivalence and identity. The symbolism is not just an analogy but a direct prophetic correspondence. This isn't Joseph saying "they represent" in a general sense, but rather "they are."
  • "three days" (Hebrew: shloshet yamim, שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים): This provides the precise and crucial temporal element of the prophecy. It is a definite, short-term timeframe for the dream's fulfillment, demonstrating God's sovereign control over time and destiny. The motif of "three days" is significant throughout the Bible, often denoting a period of finality, divine action, or a turning point leading to restoration or new beginnings.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Joseph said... This is the meaning of it": This phrase marks the point where human inquiry (the cupbearer's troubled mind) meets divine revelation (God's wisdom through Joseph). It emphasizes the interpretive authority that rests not with Joseph's own cleverness, but with the divine source from which he draws. Joseph's humility (Gen 40:8, 41:16) underlines that the pitron comes from God alone.
  • "The three branches are three days": This direct equation of the dream's specific imagery with a precise timeline is the core of the prophetic message. It showcases God's specificity and His control over the details of human affairs and future events, demonstrating that nothing is left to chance in His unfolding plan. The clarity of this interpretation contrasts sharply with the often ambiguous and manipulative interpretations common in pagan cultures.

Genesis 40 12 Bonus section

• The recurring "three" motif (three branches, three baskets, three days) throughout Genesis 40, leading to a pivotal change within a "three day" period for both the cupbearer and the baker, subtly underscores divine patterns and God's deliberate unfolding of events.
• This specific act of interpretation for two common officials (a cupbearer and a baker) highlights God's involvement not only in grand, national events but also in the lives and concerns of individuals, regardless of their social standing.
• Joseph's interpretative gift serves as a direct foreshadowing of his indispensable role in discerning the meaning of Pharaoh's dreams, leading to the preservation of many lives and, crucially, the lineage of God's chosen people.
• The clear "is" (Hebrew hem) in "the three branches are three days" points to a divine act of immediate identification, underscoring that Joseph isn't speculating, but delivering a divinely revealed fact. This is the very nature of true prophecy.

Genesis 40 12 Commentary

Genesis 40:12 is a testament to God's divine revelation and His providential control over human life, even amidst trials. Joseph, a Hebrew slave unjustly imprisoned, stands as God's instrument for unveiling hidden truths. This verse, articulating the direct, precise interpretation of the cupbearer's dream, showcases God's unique ability to communicate future events with clarity and accuracy, distinguishing Himself from the ambiguous and unreliable divinatory practices of the pagan world. The specific timeline of "three days" not only provided hope to the cupbearer but also served as a clear, verifiable marker for the prophecy's fulfillment. This instance established Joseph's credibility and divine connection, laying groundwork for his later elevation to interpret Pharaoh's more significant dreams, ultimately positioning him to save God's people during the impending famine. The verse also implicitly teaches the importance of trusting God's timing and acknowledging that true understanding and wisdom come from Him alone, not human intellect or magic.