Genesis 40:20 (WEB)
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Genesis 40:20–23 (KJV)
20 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. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
Key words
- וַיָּשֶׁב אֶת־שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִיםvayyashev et-sar hammashqim · Hebrew
- 'he restored the chief butler' — one condemned man is restored to life and honour.
- תָּלָהtalah · Hebrew
- 'hanged' — the other condemned man is executed.
- וְלֹא־זָכַר… וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּvelo-zakhar… vayyishkachehu · Hebrew
- 'yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him' — contrast the thief who asks Jesus, 'remember me' (Luke 23:42).
Why it matters
In prison Joseph is with two condemned men, the butler and the baker; one is restored and one executed, as Joseph foretold. Pitre's chart pairs this with the two criminals crucified beside Jesus, one of whom is forgiven and promised paradise (Luke 23:39–43) (p 140). The parallel deepens the case that Joseph is a type of Christ, and so that Rachel, Joseph's mother, is a type of Mary.