Genesis 40:4
New International Version
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. After they had been in custody for some time,

New Living Translation
They remained in prison for quite some time, and the captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, who looked after them.

English Standard Version
The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.

Berean Standard Bible
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time,

King James Bible
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

New King James Version
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while.

New American Standard Bible
And the captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time.

NASB 1995
The captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time.

NASB 1977
And the captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the captain of the bodyguard appointed Joseph as overseer over them, and he attended to them; and they were in confinement for some time.

Amplified Bible
The captain of the guard put Joseph in charge of them, and he served them; and they continued to be in custody for some time.

Christian Standard Bible
The captain of the guards assigned Joseph to them as their personal attendant, and they were in custody for some time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to them, and he became their personal attendant. And they were in custody for some time.

American Standard Version
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he ministered unto them: and they continued a season in ward.

Contemporary English Version
They spent a long time in prison, and the official in charge of the palace guard, made Joseph their servant.

English Revised Version
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he ministered unto them: and they continued a season in ward.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. After they had been confined for some time,

Good News Translation
They spent a long time in prison, and the captain assigned Joseph as their servant.

International Standard Version
The captain of the guard entrusted them to Joseph's custody, who took care of them, since they were to remain there in custody for a number of days.

Majority Standard Bible
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time,

NET Bible
The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be their attendant, and he served them. They spent some time in custody.

New Heart English Bible
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. They stayed in prison for some time.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; and they continued a season in custody.

World English Bible
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the chief of the executioners charges Joseph with them, and he serves them; and they are in confinement [for some] days.

Young's Literal Translation
and the chief of the executioners chargeth Joseph with them, and he serveth them; and they are days in charge.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chief of the cooks will appoint Joseph over them, and he will serve them; and they will be days in guard.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the keeper of the prison delivered them to Joseph, and he served them. Some little time passed, and they were kept in custody.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the keeper of the prison delivered them to Joseph, who ministered to them also. Some little time passed by, while they were held in custody.

New American Bible
The chief steward assigned Joseph to them, and he became their attendant. After they had been in custody for some time,

New Revised Standard Version
The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he waited on them; and they continued for some time in custody.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the commander of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; and they remained for some time in the prison.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Chief of the Guard authorized Yoseph over them and he attended to them and they were some days in the house of prisoners.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph to be with them, and he ministered unto them; and they continued a season in ward.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the chief keeper of the prison committed them to Joseph, and he stood by them; and they were some days in the prison.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cupbearer and the Baker
3and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time, 5both of these men—the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning.…

Cross References
Genesis 39:21-23
the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. / And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. / The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Genesis 41:10-13
Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard. / One night both the chief baker and I had dreams, and each dream had its own meaning. / Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us individually. ...

1 Samuel 16:22
Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

1 Kings 17:9-16
“Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” / So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.” ...

Nehemiah 2:1-8
Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, / so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear / and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” ...

Daniel 1:9-21
Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official, / but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!” / Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ...

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.

Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

Matthew 27:57-60
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. / He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. / So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ...

Luke 23:50-53
Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, / who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea and was waiting for the kingdom of God. / He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. ...

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 16:25-34
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. / Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. / When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. ...

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. / As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. / And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 2:7
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.


Treasury of Scripture

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

the captain.

Genesis 37:36
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.

Genesis 39:1,21-23
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither…

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

a season.

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Genesis 24:55
And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.

Genesis 24:20
And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Jump to Previous
Appointed Assigned Attend Attended Bodyguard Captain Care Charge Charged Chargeth Chief Confinement Continued Custody Executioners Guard Joseph Joseph's Kept Life-Guard Ministered Needed Prison Season Served Serveth Time Waited Ward
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Appointed Assigned Attend Attended Bodyguard Captain Care Charge Charged Chargeth Chief Confinement Continued Custody Executioners Guard Joseph Joseph's Kept Life-Guard Ministered Needed Prison Season Served Serveth Time Waited Ward
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 captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph
In the context of Genesis, the "captain of the guard" refers to Potiphar, who had previously purchased Joseph as a slave. This indicates a level of trust and authority given to Joseph, despite his status as a prisoner. Potiphar's role as captain of the guard suggests he was responsible for the security of Pharaoh's interests, including the prison. Joseph's assignment to care for the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, both high-ranking officials, highlights his administrative skills and God's favor upon him. This trust foreshadows Joseph's future rise to power in Egypt.

and he became their personal attendant
Joseph's role as a personal attendant to these officials demonstrates his humility and willingness to serve, even in difficult circumstances. This service-oriented attitude is a recurring theme in Joseph's life and is reflective of the biblical principle that those who are faithful in small things will be entrusted with greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10). Joseph's service also prefigures Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

After they had been in custody for some time
The phrase "for some time" suggests a period of waiting and uncertainty, which is a common experience for many biblical figures. This waiting period is significant as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plan through dreams and their interpretations. It also mirrors the theme of patience and endurance found throughout Scripture, such as in the lives of Abraham and David. The delay in their release serves to highlight God's perfect timing in bringing about His purposes, as seen in Romans 8:28.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
A Hebrew man sold into slavery by his brothers, who rose to a position of trust in Potiphar's house and later in the prison. He is known for his ability to interpret dreams, which plays a crucial role in his life and the lives of others.

2. Captain of the Guard
Likely Potiphar, who was an officer of Pharaoh and the one who initially purchased Joseph as a slave. He is responsible for the prison where Joseph is held.

3. The Prison
The place where Joseph is confined after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. It becomes a setting for divine appointments and Joseph's continued faithfulness.

4. The Cupbearer and the Baker
Two officials of Pharaoh who were imprisoned and placed under Joseph's care. Their dreams and Joseph's interpretations of them are pivotal to the unfolding of God's plan for Joseph.

5. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose officials are imprisoned and whose dreams later lead to Joseph's rise to power.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Adversity
Joseph's consistent faithfulness, even in unjust circumstances, serves as a model for believers to trust God and remain diligent in their duties regardless of their situation.

Divine Appointments
God orchestrates events and relationships for His purposes. Joseph's interactions with the cupbearer and baker were not coincidental but part of God's plan to elevate him.

Serving Others
Joseph's willingness to serve others, even in prison, reflects a Christ-like attitude of humility and service, which believers are called to emulate.

God's Timing
The phrase "for some time" indicates a period of waiting and preparation. Believers are reminded that God's timing is perfect, and patience is often required as His plans unfold.Verse 4. - And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them (literally, set Joseph with them, i.e. as a companion or servant; to wait upon them, since they were high officers of State, not to keep watch over them as criminals), and he served them (i.e. acted as their attendant): and they continued a season in ward (literally, and they were days, i.e. an indefinite period, in prison).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

of the guard
הַטַּבָּחִ֧ים (haṭ·ṭab·bā·ḥîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2876: A butcher, a lifeguardsman, a cook

assigned
וַ֠יִּפְקֹד (way·yip̄·qōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

them
אִתָּ֖ם (’it·tām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

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

and he became their personal attendant.
וַיְשָׁ֣רֶת (way·šā·reṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

After they had been
וַיִּהְי֥וּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in custody
בְּמִשְׁמָֽר׃ (bə·miš·mār)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4929: Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance

for some time,
יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Law: Genesis 40:4 The captain of the guard assigned them (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 40:3
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