Genesis 40:3 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 40:3 kjv
And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
Genesis 40:3 nkjv
So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined.
Genesis 40:3 niv
and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.
Genesis 40:3 esv
and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined.
Genesis 40:3 nlt
and he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of the captain of the guard.
Genesis 40 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 39:1 | "Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard..." | Identifies Potiphar and his position. |
| Gen 39:20 | "And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined." | Joseph's initial imprisonment in this very place. |
| Gen 39:21 | "But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love..." | God's presence and favor with Joseph even in prison. |
| Gen 40:1-2 | "Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt..." | Immediate preceding context of the imprisonment. |
| Gen 41:14 | "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the dungeon." | The outcome of Joseph's time in prison. |
| Ps 105:16-19 | "...he sent a man before them, Joseph...His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron." | God's providential hand in Joseph's suffering. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." | God's sovereign plan orchestrating all circumstances. |
| Phil 1:12 | "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel..." | Imprisonment used by God for greater good. |
| Jer 37:16 | "So Jeremiah went into the dungeon cells, and he remained there many days." | Another example of a prophet in a king's prison. |
| Dan 6:10-23 | Daniel in the lion's den after royal decree. | Faithfulness leading to miraculous deliverance from royal decree. |
| Acts 16:25-26 | "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken." | Apostles in prison and God's miraculous intervention. |
| Lk 23:32-43 | Jesus crucified between two criminals. | Savior in humble company, offering redemption. |
| Is 42:6-7 | "I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon..." | Messiah bringing release from spiritual and physical prisons. |
| Is 49:8-9 | "In a time of favor I have answered you...to set the prisoners free." | Divine appointed time for liberation. |
| Acts 24:27 | "When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison." | Political considerations in legal confinement. |
| Ps 37:23-24 | "The steps of a man are established by the Lord...though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand." | God's guidance and support even in downturns. |
| Gen 50:20 | "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." | Reiterates divine purpose in human actions. |
| Eph 4:1 | "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling..." | Paul embracing his imprisonment for Christ's sake. |
| Heb 13:3 | "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them..." | Call to compassion for the imprisoned. |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." | Divine sovereignty over seemingly random events. |
Genesis 40 verses
Genesis 40 3 meaning
This verse describes Pharaoh's decision to imprison his chief cupbearer and chief baker, placing them under the care of the captain of the guard in the prison. Crucially, it specifies this prison is the exact place where Joseph was already confined, setting the stage for divine orchestration and Joseph's interaction with these key individuals.
Genesis 40 3 Context
Genesis chapter 40 takes place while Joseph is still unjustly imprisoned in Egypt, after having been falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (Gen 39). Following the cupbearer and baker offending Pharaoh (Gen 40:1-2), they are cast into the same royal prison that Joseph is in, which is specifically the "house of the captain of the guard" – Potiphar's official residence and administrative custody facility. Joseph, by divine favor, has already gained a position of trust within this prison, having been put in charge of other prisoners by the prison keeper (Gen 39:21-23). This arrangement is crucial for the narrative, as it positions Joseph to meet the cupbearer and baker, interpret their dreams, and ultimately set in motion the events leading to his own release and rise to power.
Genesis 40 3 Word analysis
- And he put:
וַיִּתֵּן(vayyitten) - This is a consecutive imperfect fromנתן(nathan), meaning "to give" or "to place/put." It emphasizes the direct action of Pharaoh (implied subject from Gen 40:2) in assigning their imprisonment. - them:
אֹתָם(otam) - Refers to the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. Their high positions underscore the seriousness of their offense and the royal authority involved. - in custody:
בְּמִשְׁמַר(b'mishmar) - Fromשָׁמַר(shamar), meaning "to guard" or "to keep." This term denotes a place of detention or security. It suggests supervised incarceration, emphasizing watchfulness over the prisoners. - in the house of the captain of the guard:
בֵּית שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים(beit sar haTabbakhim) - This specifically refers to the household or complex of Potiphar, who holds the title ofשַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים, "chief of the executioners/slaughterers" (often translated "captain of the guard"). This role involved not only personal protection but also jurisdiction over the royal prison, highlighting Potiphar's power and responsibility. Joseph's prior enslavement and imprisonment under Potiphar makes this specific location deeply ironic yet providential. - into the prison:
אֶל־בֵּית הַסֹּהַר(el-beit haSohar) - The termסֹהַר(sohar) specifically means "prison" or "dungeon." This term for prison often implies a more severe or specific place of confinement thanmishmar(custody). It reinforces the physical location within Potiphar's establishment. - the place where Joseph was confined:
מְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יוֹסֵף אָסוּר שָׁם(meqom asher Yosef asur sham) - This phrase is key for narrative continuity and theological significance.מְקוֹם(meqom) means "place,"אֲשֶׁר(asher) means "where/which," andאָסוּר(asur) is a participle fromאָסַר(asar), "to bind" or "to imprison." The addition ofשָׁם(sham - "there") stresses the exact same location.- This repeated detail highlights divine providence. The fact that Joseph, the innocent sufferer, is located in the same precise spot where these powerful, yet guilty, officials are sent, is not coincidental. It ensures Joseph is available at the divinely appointed moment for their dreams.
- It also subtly reinforces Joseph's continuing bondagethe reality of his unjust confinement is kept before the reader.
Genesis 40 3 Bonus section
The phrase "captain of the guard" (Hebrew sar haTabbakhim) is a military-judicial title. In ancient Egypt, such officials were high-ranking and oversaw the king's household troops, the palace police, and prisons where political or significant offenders were held. Potiphar's previous role over Joseph, and his later responsibility for the royal prisoners, speaks to the integrated nature of security and justice in that ancient kingdom. Joseph's placement under Potiphar and then being in the "house of the captain of the guard" for these royal officials positions him uniquely within the inner circles of Pharaoh's government, despite being a prisoner. This subtly shows how God orchestrates connections, preparing Joseph for future leadership, allowing him to gain an intimate understanding of Egyptian palace affairs from a unique vantage point within the very system that had enslaved and imprisoned him. This pre-prepares Joseph for his future role in administering Pharaoh's kingdom.
Genesis 40 3 Commentary
Genesis 40:3 serves as a pivotal narrative hinge, bridging Joseph's suffering in prison with the providential events leading to his eventual exaltation. Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and baker, after incurring his wrath, are placed in the "custody" and "prison" of the "captain of the guard," a detailed identification that precisely matches Joseph's own place of confinement. This specific placement is not random; it demonstrates God's sovereign control over human circumstances, even in the lives of pagan rulers and the strict hierarchy of Egyptian society.
The verse emphasizes the specific nature of the confinement – "in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison," identifying the compound where Joseph previously earned a measure of trust. The repetition "the place where Joseph was confined" serves as a narrative underscore, reminding the reader of Joseph's continued unjust suffering while simultaneously hinting at God's hidden hand at work. It signifies that even in the lowest depths of confinement, God is positioning His servant. Joseph is not forgotten, but placed in the ideal environment to be found, not by human design, but by divine purpose. This seemingly simple administrative detail sets the stage for the crucial encounters that follow, enabling Joseph to interpret the dreams of the royal officials and, through one of them, eventually gain an audience with Pharaoh. The events illustrate how God uses unexpected circumstances and common human experiences, like imprisonment, to bring about His perfect plan.