Genesis 40:8 kjv

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

Genesis 40:8 nkjv

And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please."

Genesis 40:8 niv

"We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams."

Genesis 40:8 esv

They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."

Genesis 40:8 nlt

And they replied, "We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean." "Interpreting dreams is God's business," Joseph replied. "Go ahead and tell me your dreams."

Genesis 40 verses

Genesis 40 8 Meaning

Genesis 40:8 conveys Joseph's immediate redirection of human distress and lack of wisdom to God, declaring that the power to interpret dreams, which were often considered divine revelations, solely belongs to God. It highlights human inability to decipher mysteries apart from divine enablement and asserts God's sovereignty over all understanding and revelation.

Genesis 40 8 Context

Genesis chapter 40 takes place during Joseph's unjust imprisonment in Egypt. He had been falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (Gen 39) and cast into the prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While there, he finds favor with the prison keeper. The immediate context for verse 8 is the distress of Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, who had also been imprisoned. They are troubled by distinct dreams they had on the same night. The general historical context is ancient Egypt, a land steeped in polytheistic beliefs, where dreams were highly regarded as messages from deities and their interpretations were typically sought from professional magicians, wise men, and priests (e.g., Gen 41:8). Joseph's statement stands in stark contrast to this prevailing cultural belief, positioning the God of Israel as the sole source of true understanding, not human skill or Egyptian gods.

Genesis 40 8 Word analysis

• And they said to him, 'We have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.'

  • "And they said to him": Expresses the urgency and despair of the two officials, highlighting their human inability.
  • "We have had a dream" (חלום, chalom): Dreams in the ancient Near East, especially Egypt, were widely believed to be significant, often messages from the gods. This immediately establishes the nature of their distress.
  • "and there is no interpreter of it" (אין פותר, eyn poter): This emphasizes their helplessness and the inadequacy of their known human resources (the royal magicians and wise men who usually handled such matters outside prison, as seen in Gen 41:8). The word poter comes from a root meaning "to separate," "to loosen," or "to explain," referring to one who can untangle the meaning of the dream. This sets up the direct challenge Joseph addresses.

• And Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me, please.'

  • "And Joseph said to them": Joseph's immediate response indicates his unwavering faith and consistent reliance on God even in dire circumstances. He doesn't hesitate or claim personal ability.
  • "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (הלא לאלהים פתרונים, halo l'Elohim pitronim): This is the theological core of the verse.
    • "Do not...?" (הלא, halo): This is a strong rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer, akin to "Surely interpretations belong to God!" It's a bold declaration of truth.
    • "interpretations" (פתרונים, pitronim): This is the plural form of "interpretation," indicating the comprehensive nature of this divine capability—all such understanding comes from Him.
    • "belong to God" (לאלהים, l'Elohim): This attributes the sole ability and authority to understand divine messages directly to the one true God, Elohim. This is a direct polemic against the polytheistic Egyptian system where various gods, and subsequently human priests or diviners, were consulted. Joseph denies any human claim to this power and explicitly directs glory to God alone. He subtly introduces the true God to these foreign officials, establishing that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the ultimate source of all wisdom and revelation.
  • "Tell me, please": Despite attributing the power to God, Joseph invites them to share their dreams. This demonstrates humility, compassion, and readiness to be God's instrument. He acts as a mediator, showing that God works through His chosen servants. He does not boast or demand, but humbly offers to serve as a conduit for God's truth.

Genesis 40 8 Bonus section

The unwavering declaration "Do not interpretations belong to God?" positions Joseph as a proto-prophet. He isn't merely interpreting, but actively serving as a conduit for divine revelation, much like prophets who delivered God's word directly (e.g., Amos 3:7). This act further showcases the enduring presence of God with Joseph, echoing Gen 39:2, 21, and demonstrating that divine favor is not dependent on circumstances but on relationship and faithfulness. The setting in an Egyptian prison magnifies the message: God's truth and power are not limited by political power, human authority, or even the confines of a dungeon, but transcend all earthly boundaries and systems. Joseph's humble but firm declaration also serves as an example of humility in ministry – acknowledging that any spiritual gifting or ability comes from God alone.

Genesis 40 8 Commentary

Genesis 40:8 profoundly reveals Joseph's character and foundational faith. Imprisoned and seemingly forgotten, Joseph faces distressed men who have exhausted human avenues for understanding their perplexing dreams. His response is not a display of personal talent or a claim to unique insight, but an immediate and unequivocal declaration that "interpretations belong to God." This verse is pivotal, showing Joseph consistently redirecting all glory and power to the true God. It establishes God as the sovereign Revealer of mysteries, countering the prevailing polytheistic Egyptian worldview which relied on human magic or multiple deities for such understanding. Joseph acts as a living testament to his God, trusting that the same divine presence that guided his past dreams will now manifest through him, for God's purpose, even within the confines of a prison. This deep reliance on God paves the way for his ultimate release and elevation, orchestrated entirely by divine providence.