Genesis 41:13 kjv

And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

Genesis 41:13 nkjv

And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him."

Genesis 41:13 niv

And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled."

Genesis 41:13 esv

And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged."

Genesis 41:13 nlt

And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole."

Genesis 41 verses

Genesis 41 13 Meaning

Genesis 41:13 records the chief butler's recollection to Pharaoh concerning Joseph's accurate interpretation of dreams two years prior. It confirms that Joseph's divinely inspired predictions came to pass precisely as he had declared them: the butler was restored to his office, and the baker was executed. This statement serves as the pivotal moment, verifying Joseph's gift and prompting Pharaoh to summon him, initiating Joseph's path from prison to prominence.

Genesis 41 13 Context

Genesis chapter 41 begins with Pharaoh having two deeply troubling dreams that none of his wise men or magicians can interpret, causing him great distress (Gen 41:1-8). It is at this precise moment, after two full years of having forgotten Joseph in prison, that the chief butler finally remembers Joseph's accurate dream interpretation capabilities (Gen 41:9). Verse 13 is the chief butler's detailed recounting of the previous events to Pharaoh, highlighting the exact fulfillment of Joseph's interpretation concerning his own restoration to office and the chief baker's execution. This statement is the direct catalyst for Pharaoh sending for Joseph, shifting the narrative from Joseph's imprisonment to his sudden and dramatic elevation to power in Egypt. The timing of this remembrance is crucial, underscoring God's providential hand guiding events to achieve His divine purpose for Joseph and for His people.

Genesis 41 13 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - va·ye·hi): This is a common Hebrew narrative marker, often used to introduce a significant event or the fulfillment of what was previously stated. Here, it underscores the precise, divinely orchestrated unfolding of the prediction. It signals the beginning of Joseph's ascent.
• as he interpreted: Refers to Joseph's skill given by God (Gen 40:8; 41:16). It highlights that the outcome was not by chance but the direct result of a specific, divine revelation through Joseph.
• to us: Encompasses both the chief butler and the chief baker, underscoring that Joseph's interpretations were accurate for distinct individuals with opposing fates.
• so it was: Emphasizes the perfect and exact fulfillment of Joseph's prophecy. This phrase is a powerful confirmation of the truthfulness and reliability of the interpretation, directly validating Joseph's prophetic gift in the eyes of Pharaoh and setting the stage for his deliverance.
• me he restored unto mine office: Hebrew: הֲשִׁיבֵנִי עַל־כַּנִּי (hashiveni al-kanni). This phrase vividly describes the chief butler's return to his former position and duties in Pharaoh's court. "My office" refers to his specific role and status, signifying a full reversal of his imprisonment, confirming the positive part of Joseph's prophecy. This also implicitly praises the specific divine favour he received.
• and him he hanged: Hebrew: וְאֹתוֹ תָּלָה (v'oto tala). This refers to the chief baker's execution, the negative, fatal fulfillment of the other part of Joseph's prophecy. This harsh reality underscores the stark contrast in the two men's fates and the unvarnished accuracy of Joseph's interpretation. Hanging was a common, severe form of execution in ancient Egypt and the broader ancient Near East.
• "as he interpreted... so it was": This phrase-group serves as the primary verification of Joseph's prophetic accuracy. It moves from declaration to fulfillment, affirming the reliability of the word delivered through Joseph. It is the crucial bridge connecting the forgotten dream interpretations with Joseph's immediate call before Pharaoh.

Genesis 41 13 Bonus section

• The two-year delay between the dreams of the butler/baker and Pharaoh's dreams highlights divine patience and preparation. It implies Joseph's character was further refined in suffering, preparing him for the immense responsibility he was about to assume.
• The chief butler's memory, though long delayed, was prompted not by personal loyalty but by Pharaoh's desperation. This underscores that God works through even the imperfect actions of others to bring about His perfect will.
• The precise reporting of the butler emphasizes the concrete evidence of Joseph's gift, making his appeal to Pharaoh compelling and irrefutable.

Genesis 41 13 Commentary

Genesis 41:13 is a testament to God's impeccable timing and the reliability of His revealed word through His chosen vessels. For two long years, Joseph's suffering seemed forgotten (Gen 40:23), yet God orchestrated Pharaoh's troubling dreams at the exact moment the chief butler was to remember Joseph. This verse is the concise, definitive report confirming that Joseph's predictions were not guesswork but divine revelation, fulfilled to the letter. It subtly showcases God's sovereignty over Egyptian power, revealing truth through His servant while Egypt's own wise men remain helpless. This precise fulfillment serves to establish Joseph's credibility instantly with Pharaoh, catapulting him from forgotten prisoner to a potential solution for the greatest crisis facing the land, all according to God's overarching plan for Joseph and His chosen people. The stark contrast between restoration and execution powerfully illustrates the certainty of divine decrees.