The role of the butler, or cupbearer, in ancient Egypt was one of significant responsibility and trust, particularly in the royal court. The butler was tasked with serving wine to the Pharaoh, ensuring that it was safe to drink, and often held a position of influence due to his close proximity to the king. The biblical account of Pharaoh's butler is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 40 and 41, where he plays a crucial role in the narrative of Joseph.

Imprisonment:

The butler's account begins with his imprisonment alongside Pharaoh's chief baker. Genesis 40:1-3 states, "Some time later, the king’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined." The reason for their imprisonment is not specified, but it is clear that both had fallen out of favor with Pharaoh.

While in prison, the butler and the baker each had a dream on the same night, which troubled them greatly. Joseph, who was also imprisoned at the time, noticed their distress and offered to interpret their dreams, acknowledging that interpretations belong to God (Genesis 40:8).

Dream Interpretation:

The butler's dream, as recounted in Genesis 40:9-11 , involved a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and produced clusters of ripe grapes. The butler took the grapes, pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. Joseph interpreted the dream, explaining that the three branches represented three days, and within that time, Pharaoh would restore the butler to his position (Genesis 40:12-13).

Joseph requested that the butler remember him and mention him to Pharaoh once he was restored, as Joseph was unjustly imprisoned (Genesis 40:14-15).

Release and Restoration:

As Joseph had interpreted, the butler was indeed restored to his position on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday. Genesis 40:20-21 records, "On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand."

However, the butler forgot Joseph's request to mention him to Pharaoh, leaving Joseph in prison for an additional two years (Genesis 40:23).

Role in Joseph's Rise:

The butler's eventual recollection of Joseph came at a pivotal moment. When Pharaoh experienced troubling dreams that none of his magicians or wise men could interpret, the butler remembered Joseph's accurate interpretations and informed Pharaoh (Genesis 41:9-13). This led to Joseph being summoned to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, which ultimately resulted in Joseph's rise to power as the second-in-command in Egypt.

The butler's account highlights themes of divine providence, the importance of faithfulness, and the unfolding of God's plan through seemingly small and forgotten acts. His interactions with Joseph serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes, even through the lives of those who may appear to be minor characters in the biblical narrative.Genesis 40:1
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.
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1 Kings 10:5
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
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2 Chronicles 9:4
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
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Nehemiah 1:11
O LORD, I beseech you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear your name: and prosper, I pray you, your servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
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Nehemiah 2:1
And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
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