Genesis 40:23
New International Version
The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

New Living Translation
Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.

English Standard Version
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Berean Standard Bible
The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot all about him.

King James Bible
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

New King James Version
Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

New American Standard Bible
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

NASB 1995
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

NASB 1977
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Amplified Bible
Yet [even after all that] the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot [all about] him.

Christian Standard Bible
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

American Standard Version
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

Contemporary English Version
but the king's personal servant completely forgot about Joseph.

English Revised Version
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Nevertheless, the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph. He forgot all about him.

Good News Translation
But the wine steward never gave Joseph another thought--he forgot all about him.

International Standard Version
Despite all of this, the senior security advisor not only didn't remember Joseph, he deliberately forgot him.

Majority Standard Bible
The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot all about him.

NET Bible
But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph--he forgot him.

New Heart English Bible
But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

World English Bible
Yet the chief cup bearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the chief of the butlers has not remembered Joseph, but forgets him.

Young's Literal Translation
and the chief of the butlers hath not remembered Joseph, but forgetteth him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chief of the cup-bearers did not remember Joseph, and he will forget him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the chief butler, when things prospered with him, forgot his interpreter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And although he advanced with so much prosperity, the chief cupbearer forgot his interpreter of dreams.

New American Bible
Yet the chief cupbearer did not think of Joseph; he forgot him.

New Revised Standard Version
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Chief of Drinking did not remember Yoseph, and he forgot him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yet did not the chief cupbearer remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cupbearer and the Baker
22But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had described to them in his interpretation. 23The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot all about him.

Cross References
Exodus 1:8
Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt.

Psalm 31:12
I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.

Psalm 105:19-22
until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. / The king sent and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free. / He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance, ...

Ecclesiastes 9:15-16
Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. / And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Jeremiah 23:28
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.

Daniel 2:48-49
Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. / And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.

Daniel 5:11-14
There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king, / did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.” / So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? ...

Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Mark 14:72
And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Luke 23:42-43
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” / And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

John 13:38
“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

Acts 7:9-10
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Acts 12:11
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”


Treasury of Scripture

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.

but forgat him.

Job 19:14
My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

Psalm 31:12
I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Psalm 105:19
Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

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Butler Butlers Chief Cupbearer Cup-Bearers Forgat Forgetteth Forgot However Joseph Mind Remember Remembered Thought Wine-Servant
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Butler Butlers Chief Cupbearer Cup-Bearers Forgat Forgetteth Forgot However Joseph Mind Remember Remembered Thought Wine-Servant
Genesis 40
1. The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh are also imprisoned.
5. Joseph interprets their dreams.
20. They are accomplished according to his interpretation.
23. The ingratitude of the butler, in forgetting Joseph.














The chief cupbearer
The role of the chief cupbearer was significant in ancient Egypt, as he was responsible for serving wine to the Pharaoh and ensuring its safety. This position required trust and loyalty, as the cupbearer had direct access to the king. The cupbearer’s role is also seen in other biblical contexts, such as Nehemiah, who served as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:11). This position often allowed for close proximity to power and influence.

however, did not remember Joseph;
Joseph had interpreted the cupbearer’s dream while they were both imprisoned, predicting his restoration to his position (Genesis 40:12-13). Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh to secure his release (Genesis 40:14). The failure to remember Joseph highlights human forgetfulness and ingratitude, contrasting with God’s faithfulness and omniscience. This forgetfulness serves as a test of Joseph’s faith and patience, as he remains in prison despite his accurate interpretation of the dream.

he forgot all about him.
The phrase emphasizes the complete neglect Joseph experienced, despite his service to the cupbearer. This forgetfulness can be seen as part of God’s providential plan, as it sets the stage for Joseph’s eventual rise to power at the right time (Genesis 41:1-14). The delay in Joseph’s deliverance is a reminder of the importance of God’s timing and the development of character through trials. This situation foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and exaltation of Jesus Christ, who was also initially rejected and forgotten by those He came to save (John 1:11).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
A Hebrew man who was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt. He was imprisoned after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. In prison, he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker.

2. Chief Cupbearer
An official in Pharaoh's court who was imprisoned with Joseph. Joseph interpreted his dream, predicting his restoration to his position, which came to pass.

3. Pharaoh's Prison
The place where Joseph was held and where he met the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. It was a part of the royal complex where high-profile prisoners were kept.

4. Dream Interpretation
Joseph's God-given ability to interpret dreams, which played a crucial role in his life and the lives of those around him.

5. Forgetting
The act of the chief cupbearer not remembering Joseph after being restored to his position, which delayed Joseph's release from prison.
Teaching Points
Human Forgetfulness vs. Divine Faithfulness
Humans may forget promises and commitments, but God remains faithful. Trust in God's timing and sovereignty, even when others fail us.

Patience in Trials
Joseph's account teaches us to remain patient and faithful during trials, trusting that God is working behind the scenes for our good.

The Importance of Gratitude and Remembrance
The chief cupbearer's forgetfulness serves as a reminder to be grateful and to remember those who have helped us along the way.

God's Timing is Perfect
Although Joseph was forgotten by the cupbearer, God's plan was still in motion. We must trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed.

Interpreting Dreams and God's Gifts
Joseph's ability to interpret dreams was a gift from God. We should use our God-given gifts to serve others, trusting that God will use them for His purposes.Verse 23. - Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph (as Joseph had desired, and as he doubtless had promised), but forgot him - as Joseph might almost have expected (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:15, 16).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The chief
שַֽׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

cupbearer,
הַמַּשְׁקִ֛ים (ham·maš·qîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4945: Causing to drink, a butler, drink, a well-watered region

however, did not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

remember
זָכַ֧ר (zā·ḵar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

Joseph;
יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

he forgot all about him.
וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵֽהוּ׃ (way·yiš·kā·ḥê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention


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OT Law: Genesis 40:23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 40:22
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