And it came to pass after these things, [that] the butler of the king of Egypt and [his] baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. Ver. 1. _Had offended their lord the king of Egypt._] What their offence was is not expressed. The Hebrews say, Pharaoh found a fly in his cup, and a little grav... [ Continue Reading ]
And Pharaoh was wroth against two [of] his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. Ver. 2. _And Pharaoh was wroth, &c._] That had been enough to have broke their hearts: as a frown from Augustus did Cornelius Gallus; and another from Queen Elizabeth did Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph [was] bound. Ver. 3. _And he put them in ward, &c._] See the slippery estate of courtiers: today in favour, tomorrow in disgrace; as Haman; Sejanus, whom the same senators conducted to the pris... [ Continue Reading ]
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. Ver. 4. _And the captain of the guard, &c._] This was Potiphar probably: who by this time saw his own error, and Joseph's innocency; yet kept him still in prison, perhaps to save his wife... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which [were] bound in the prison._ Ver. 5. _And they dreamed, &c._] Of dreams natural and supernatural. _See Trapp on "_ Gen... [ Continue Reading ]
And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they [were] sad. Ver. 6. _And, behold, they were sad._] Or, Angry; and yet knew not how to help themselves. But carnal men digest their passions, as horses do their choler, by chewing on the bit. Pope Boniface being kep... [ Continue Reading ]
And he asked Pharaoh's officers that [were] with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye [so] sadly to day? Ver. 7. And he asked Pharaoh's officers, &c.] _Vincula qui sensit, didicit succurrere vinctis._ Joseph's tender heart soon yearned toward them, upon the sight of their... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 8. _And there is no interpreter._] The superstitious Egyptians did curiously observe their dreams; and commonly... [ Continue Reading ]
And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine [was] before me; Ver. 9. _Behold, a vine was before me._] God, of his infinite grace and wisdom, gives men such signs as excellently answer and agree to the thing thereby signified; those two sacraments of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in the vine [were] three branches: and it [was] as though it budded, [and] her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:_ Ver. 10. _It was as though it budded._] As though; for dreams are but the empty bubbles of the mind, children and tales of fancy, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Pharaoh's cup [was] in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. Ver. 11. And pressed them into Pharaoh's cup.] That he might have his wine fresh and new. “Dulcius ex ipso fonte bibuntur aquae.”... [ Continue Reading ]
And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days: Ver. 12. _The three branches are three days._] That is, They signify three days. So Genesis 41:26. "The seven kine are seven years." So, "this is my body": that is, This signifieth my body, saith Zuin... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. Ver. 13. _Yet within three days._] Joseph foresaw the time of the butler's deliverance; he knew not the tim... [ Continue Reading ]
But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: Ver. 14. _But think on me, &c._] Liberty is sweet, and should be sought by all lawful means. 1Co 7:21 The Jews censure Joseph for requesting... [ Continue Reading ]
For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Ver. 15. _For indeed I was stolen away._] Joseph inveighs not against his brethren that he may clear himself; but hideth their infamy with the mantle of charity,... [ Continue Reading ]
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also [was] in my dream, and, behold, [I had] three white baskets on my head: Ver. 16. _When the chief baker saw._] So when hypocrites hear good to be spoken, in the word, to God's children, they also listen, and faste... [ Continue Reading ]
And in the uppermost basket [there was] of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. Ver. 17. _And the birds did eat them._] He seeth not that he did anything, but suffereth only. He heareth therefore an unpleasing interpretation, saith Pareus.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Joseph answered and said, This [is] the interpretation thereof: The three baskets [are] three days: Ver. 18. _And Joseph answered, &c._] It is probable he used some preface to this sad destiny he reads him; as Philo brings him in saying, I would thou hadst not dreamed such a dream: _a_ or as Da... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. Ver. 19. _And shall hang thee on a tree, &c._] This was cold comfort to the baker: so shall the last judgment be to the ungodly; when the saints, as th... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Ver. 20. Which was Pharaoh's birthday.] An ancient and commendable custom, to keep banquets on birt... [ Continue Reading ]
But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Ver. 22. _But he hanged the chief baker._] God's menaces, as well as promises, will have their accomplishment. Vengeance is "in readiness" for the rebellious. 2Co 10:6 Every whit as ready in God's hand, as in the minister's mouth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Ver. 23. _Yet did not the chief butler._] Too many such butlers, that forget poor Joseph! What cares Nabal though David die at his door, so he may eat the fat and drink the sweet, &c.? The heathens' picture of their graces, young and fre... [ Continue Reading ]