Genesis 40 · Verse 20

Genesis 40:20

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.
Genesis 40:20, King James Version

Genesis 40:20 in other translations

BSBOn 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.
WEBOn 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.
ASVAnd 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 the head of the chief baker among his servants.
YLTAnd it cometh to pass, on the third day, Pharaoh's birthday, that he maketh a banquet to all his servants, and lifteth up the head of the chief of the butlers, and the head of the chief of the bakers among his servants,
DARBYAnd it came to pass the third day — Pharaoh's birthday — that he made a feast to all his bondmen. And he lifted up the head of the chief of the cup-bearers, and the head of the chief of the bakers among his bondmen.
BBENow the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his servants; and he gave honour to the chief wine-servant and the chief bread-maker among the others.
WebsterAnd it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birth-day, that he made a feast to all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

What does Genesis 40:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 40:20-22
20-22. it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday--This was a holiday season, celebrated at court with great magnificence and honored by a free pardon to prisoners. Accordingly, the issue happened to the butler and baker, as Joseph had foretold. Doubtless, he felt it painful to communicate such dismal tidings to the baker; but he could not help announcing what God had revealed to him; and it was for the honor of the true God that he should speak plainly.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Pharaoh's birthday - The distinguishing a birthday by a feast appears from this place to have been a very ancient custom. It probably had its origin from a correct notion of the immortality of the soul, as the commencement of life must appear of great consequence to that person who believed he was to live for ever. St. Matthew (Mat 14:6) mentions Herod's keeping his birthday; and examples of this kind are frequent to the present time in most nations. Lifted up the head of the chief butler, etc. - By lifting up the head, probably no more is meant than bringing them to trial, tantamount to what was done by Jezebel and the nobles of Israel to Naboth: Set Naboth on high among the people; and set two men, sons of Belial, to bear witness against him, etc.; 1Kgs 21:9, etc. The issue of the trial was, the baker alone was found guilty and hanged; and the butler, being acquitted, was restored to his office.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 40:20-23
Joseph's interpretation of the dreams came to pass on the very day fixed. On Pharaoh's birth-day, all his servants attended him, and then the cases of these two came to be looked into. We may all profitably take notice of our birth-days, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the sinfulness of our lives, and expectation of the day of our death, as better than the day of our birth. But it seems strange that worldly people, who are so fond of living here, should rejoice at the end of one year after another of their short span of life. A Christian has cause to rejoice that he was born, also that he comes nearer to the end of his sin and sorrow, and nearer to his everlasting happiness. The chief butler remembered not Joseph, but forgot him. Joseph had deserved well at his hands, yet he forgot him. We must not think it strange, if in this world we have hatred shown us for our love, and slights for our kindness. See how apt those who are themselves at ease are to forget others in distress. Joseph learned by his disappointment to trust in God only. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. Let us not forget the sufferings, promises, and love of our Redeemer. We blame the chief butler's ingratitude to Joseph, yet we ourselves act much more ungratefully to the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours; he mediated with the King of Kings for us; yet we forget him, though often reminded of him, and though we have promised never to forget him. Thus ill do we requite Him, like foolish people and unwise.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Genesis 40:20 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיְהִ֣י\׀vay.Hiand it wasH1961
בַּיּ֣וֹםbai.Yomon the dayH3117
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗יha.she.li.Shi<the> thirdH7992
י֚וֹםYom[the] day ofH3117
הֻלֶּ֣דֶתhu.Le.detbeing bornH3205
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
פַּרְעֹ֔הpar.'OhPharaohH6547
וַיַּ֥עַשׂvai.Ya.'asand he madeH6213
מִשְׁתֶּ֖הmish.Teha feastH4960
לְכָל\־le.kholfor allH3605
עֲבָדָ֑יו'a.va.Davservants hisH5650
וַיִּשָּׂ֞אvai.yi.Sa'and he lifted upH5375
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
רֹ֣אשׁ\׀rosh[the] head ofH7218
שַׂ֣רsar[the] chief ofH8269
הַמַּשְׁקִ֗יםha.mash.Kimthe cup bearersH4945
וְאֶת\־ve.'Etand <obj.>H853
רֹ֛אשׁrosh[the] head ofH7218
שַׂ֥רsar[the] chief ofH8269
הָאֹפִ֖יםha.'o.Fimthe bakersH644
בְּת֥וֹךְbe.Tokhin amongH8432
עֲבָדָֽיו\׃'a.va.Davservants hisH5650

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 40:20

  • Genesis 40:19

    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.

  • Matthew 14:6

    But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

  • Genesis 40:13

    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.

  • Mark 6:21

    And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

  • 2 Kings 25:27

    And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil–merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

  • Matthew 18:23-25

    Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

  • Genesis 21:8

    And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

  • Job 3:1

    After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

  • Esther 1:3

    In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:

  • Luke 16:1-2

    And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

  • Matthew 25:19

    After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
third day.
13,19
birthday.
21:8; Es 1:3; Job 3:1; Mt 14:6; Mr 6:21
lifted up. or, reckoned.
13,19; *marg:
2Ki 25:27; Mt 18:23-25; 25:19; Lu 16:1,2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 40:19

    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.

  • Genesis 40:20

    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.

  • Genesis 40:21

    And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:

Read all of Genesis 40

Genesis 40:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y fué el tercero día el día del nacimiento de Faraón, é hizo banquete á todos sus sirvientes: y alzó la cabeza del principal de los coperos, y la cabeza del principal de los panaderos, entre sus servidores.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et il arriva, le troisième jour, jour de la naissance du Pharaon, qu’il fit un festin à tous ses serviteurs; et il éleva la tête du chef des échansons et la tête du chef des panetiers au milieu de ses serviteurs:
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und es geschah am dritten Tage, dem Geburtstage des Pharao, da machte er allen seinen Knechten ein Mahl; und er erhob das Haupt des Obersten der Schenken und das Haupt des Obersten der Bäcker unter seinen Knechten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Exinde dies tertius natalitius Pharaonis erat: qui faciens grande convivium pueris suis, recordatus est inter epulas magistri pincernarum, et pistorum principis.