Genesis 40:18 kjv

And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

Genesis 40:18 nkjv

So Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days.

Genesis 40:18 niv

"This is what it means," Joseph said. "The three baskets are three days.

Genesis 40:18 esv

And Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days.

Genesis 40:18 nlt

"This is what the dream means," Joseph told him. "The three baskets also represent three days.

Genesis 40 verses

Genesis 40 18 Meaning

Genesis 40:18 states Joseph's direct interpretation of the chief cupbearer's dream. Joseph declares that the "three branches" seen in the dream explicitly symbolize "three days." This concise interpretation immediately connects a specific visual element from the dream to a precise temporal fulfillment, initiating the unraveling of the divine message concerning the cupbearer's imminent future. It underscores that God, through Joseph, reveals clear and exact meanings, contrasting with ambiguous human interpretations.

Genesis 40 18 Context

This verse is part of a crucial turning point in the life of Joseph, situated in Genesis chapter 40. Having been unjustly accused and imprisoned by Potiphar, Joseph is now serving as an attendant to other prisoners, including Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker. Both officials have troubling dreams, and Joseph, recognizing their distress, inquires about their countenances. When they explain their dreams, emphasizing their lack of interpretation, Joseph immediately asserts that "interpretations belong to God" (Gen 40:8), distancing himself from pagan practices of divination and attributing the ability solely to divine revelation. The cupbearer recounts his dream of a vine with three branches, bearing grapes that he presses into Pharaoh's cup. Genesis 40:18 is Joseph's initial and fundamental deciphering of this dream, stating the equivalence between the dream's 'three branches' and 'three days,' setting the stage for the rest of the interpretation that follows, which holds great personal significance for the cupbearer and serves as a vital step in God's providential plan for Joseph and Israel. In the ancient Near East, dream interpretation was a significant part of court life and religious practice, often involving elaborate rituals and magicians. Joseph's simple, direct, and divinely-sourced interpretation stands in stark contrast, subtly asserting the supremacy of Israel's God over pagan deities and their oracles.

Genesis 40 18 Word analysis

• And Joseph answered and said: Indicates Joseph's immediate response and confident, divinely-prompted delivery. It shows his role as a vessel for God's word, not his own cunning.
• This is the interpretation thereof: Declares a direct, authoritative revelation. The Hebrew term for "interpretation" is פִּתְרוֹן (pitron), signifying the unraveling or solution of a dream's meaning. This emphasizes that what follows is the true, God-given meaning.
• The three branches: From the Hebrew שָׂרִיג (sarig), meaning a tendril, shoot, or branch of a vine. This refers directly back to a specific, striking visual detail of the cupbearer's dream (Gen 40:10). The number "three" is a significant motif in the Bible, often symbolizing completion, emphasis, or divine purpose.
• are three days: Connects the symbolic dream element directly to a precise temporal unit. The Hebrew word for "days" is יָמִים (yamim). This direct equation reveals a literal timeline for the dream's fulfillment, signaling an imminent event. The recurrence of "three days" motif in biblical narratives (e.g., Jonah, Christ's resurrection) adds a profound prophetic layer.

Words-group by words-group analysis data

• "And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof:" This phrase immediately establishes Joseph as the divine messenger. It underlines that the interpretation does not come from his human ingenuity but is a God-given revelation. Joseph serves as an oracle, directly relaying the divine message to the cupbearer.
• "The three branches are three days:" This direct equivalence is concise yet pregnant with prophetic meaning. It sets a literal timeframe for the dream's outcome and provides the core symbolic key. This clarity and precision immediately contrast with the often vague and esoteric interpretations typical of pagan divination in that era, highlighting the direct and unambiguous nature of God's communication. It also lays the foundation for understanding the entire dream, which will lead to the cupbearer's restoration.

Genesis 40 18 Bonus section

The seemingly simple declaration "The three branches are three days" is foundational for Joseph's subsequent rise. It positions him as someone who possesses divine insight far beyond human capabilities, something the Egyptians highly valued in their spiritual practices but lacked true access to. This ability, attributed to his God, would later catch Pharaoh's attention. The specific mention of "three days" not only dictates the timing of the cupbearer's fate but also subtly introduces a prophetic typology found throughout Scripture. This number recurs in connection with significant acts of God involving restoration or new life, from Noah's ark coming to rest on the mountains after 150 days (with a 3rd set of birds released) to the three days Jonah spent in the fish, ultimately pointing to Christ's resurrection on the third day, the ultimate restoration and victory over death. Thus, this seemingly minor detail carries profound biblical and theological weight beyond its immediate context, hinting at God's consistent patterns of working deliverance.

Genesis 40 18 Commentary

Genesis 40:18 is pivotal because it immediately establishes the exact timeframe for the cupbearer's future. Joseph, operating not from personal insight but from divine wisdom, clearly equates the dream's "three branches" with "three days." This concise declaration demonstrates the precision and certainty of God's revealed will, starkly contrasting with the speculative and often fear-driven interpretations of dreams in the surrounding Egyptian culture. It foreshadows a quick resolution for the cupbearer and sets the stage for Joseph's growing reputation as God's mouthpiece. Furthermore, this instance reinforces the recurrent biblical theme of "three days" being a significant period of time associated with dramatic transformation, often leading to deliverance or resurrection, echoing later prophetic fulfillments, most notably the resurrection of Christ. Joseph’s humility, attributing the interpretation to God (Gen 40:8), even in his lowly prison status, underscores his faithfulness and serves as an example of reliance on God's sovereignty.