Genesis 40:12
Genesis 40:12 in Multiple Translations
Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three branches are three days.
And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days;
Then Joseph said, This is the sense of your dream: the three branches are three days;
“This is the meaning,” Joseph told him. “The three branches represent three days.
Then Ioseph sayde vnto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three braunches are three dayes.
And Joseph saith to him, 'This [is] its interpretation: the three branches are three days;
Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.
And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days;
Joseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three branches are yet three days:
God immediately told Joseph what the dream meant. So Joseph said to him, “This is the meaning of your dream: The three branches of the vine represent three days.
Then Joseph said to the wine-boss, “All right, I will tell you what that dream means. Those 3 branches that you saw, they are like a picture of 3 days.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 40:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 40:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ל/וֹ֙
יוֹסֵ֔ף
זֶ֖ה
פִּתְרֹנ֑/וֹ
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת֙
הַ/שָּׂ֣רִגִ֔ים
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
יָמִ֖ים
הֵֽם
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל/וֹ֙
Prep | Suff
יוֹסֵ֔ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
Joseph
N-proper
זֶ֖ה
zeh
H2088
this
Pron
פִּתְרֹנ֑/וֹ
pithrôwn
H6623
interpretation
N-ms | Suff
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת֙
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
הַ/שָּׂ֣רִגִ֔ים
sârîyg
H8299
tendril
Art | N-mp
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
יָמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 40:12
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
ל/וֹ֙
""
Prep | Suff
יוֹסֵ֔ף
Yôwçêph
H3130
"Joseph"
N-proper
Joseph means Jehovah has added, a name given to several Israelites, including the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was a significant figure in the book of Genesis and the story of his brothers. He became a leader in Egypt.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.14 § Joseph = "Jehovah has added" 1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel 2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies 3) a son of Asaph 4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: Joseph. Compare H3084 (יְהוֹסֵף). See also: Genesis 30:24; Genesis 47:5; Psalms 77:16.
זֶ֖ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
פִּתְרֹנ֑/וֹ
pithrôwn
H6623
"interpretation"
N-ms | Suff
This noun refers to the interpretation or explanation of something, often a dream. It is used in the Bible to describe understanding the meaning of a vision or message. In the KJV, it is translated as 'interpretation'.
Definition: interpretation Aramaic equivalent: pe.shar (פְּשַׁר "interpretation" H6591)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: interpretation. See also: Genesis 40:5; Genesis 40:12; Genesis 41:11.
שְׁלֹ֨שֶׁת֙
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
הַ/שָּׂ֣רִגִ֔ים
sârîyg
H8299
"tendril"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a tendril or branch, often describing a part of a plant that entwines or twines around something.
Definition: tendril, twig, branch
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: branch. See also: Genesis 40:10; Genesis 40:12; Joel 1:7.
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
יָמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
Study Notes — Genesis 40:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 40:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 40:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 40:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 40:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 40:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 40:12
- Sermons on Genesis 40:12
Context — The Cupbearer and the Baker
10and on the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes.
11Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into his cup, and placed the cup in his hand.”
12Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three branches are three days.
13Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore your position. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you did when you were his cupbearer. 14But when it goes well for you, please remember me and show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh, that he might bring me out of this prison.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 41:12 | 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. |
| 2 | Judges 7:14 | His friend replied: “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has delivered Midian and the whole camp into his hand.” |
| 3 | Genesis 41:25–26 | At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning. |
| 4 | Genesis 40:18 | Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days. |
| 5 | Daniel 2:36–45 | This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others. And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom, yet some of the strength of iron will be in it—just as you saw the iron mixed with clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so the peoples will mix with one another, but will not hold together any more than iron mixes with clay. In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever. And just as you saw a stone being cut out of the mountain without human hands, and it shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold, so the great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.” |
| 6 | Daniel 4:19–33 | For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies! The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth, whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, and a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’ This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes. As for the command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. |
| 7 | Matthew 26:26 | While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” |
| 8 | Galatians 4:25 | Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. |
| 9 | 1 Corinthians 10:4 | and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. |
Genesis 40:12 Summary
[Genesis 40:12 tells us that Joseph interpreted the three branches in the cupbearer's dream as three days, which would pass before the cupbearer's restoration to his position. This shows us that God is in control of time and circumstances, as seen in Psalm 31:15. Joseph's interpretation also reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, even when we do not understand the circumstances, as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6. By trusting in God's plan, we can have confidence, just like Joseph, that He will work everything out for our good, as noted in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the three branches in Joseph's interpretation?
The three branches represent three days, as Joseph explains in Genesis 40:12, symbolizing a short period of time before Pharaoh's actions will be revealed, as further explained in Genesis 40:13.
How does Joseph's interpretation relate to the cupbearer's dream?
Joseph's interpretation of the three branches as three days directly relates to the cupbearer's dream, as it signifies the timeframe in which the cupbearer will be restored to his position, as mentioned in Genesis 40:13, and will have the opportunity to help Joseph as requested in Genesis 40:14.
What can we learn from Joseph's confidence in his interpretation?
Joseph's confidence in his interpretation, as seen in Genesis 40:12, demonstrates his trust in God's gift of interpretation, as earlier noted in Genesis 37:5-11, and serves as an example for believers to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, as expressed in Psalm 37:3-7.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Joseph's story?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of Joseph's life, where he uses his God-given gift of interpretation to serve others, as seen in Genesis 40:12, and ultimately brings glory to God, as noted in Genesis 45:5-8 and Genesis 50:20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, similar to Joseph's trust in his interpretation?
- How can I, like Joseph, use my gifts and talents to serve others and bring glory to God?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's providence and wait on His timing, as the cupbearer had to wait three days?
- In what ways can I demonstrate confidence in God's plan for my life, just as Joseph demonstrated confidence in his interpretation?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 40:12
And Joseph said unto him, this [is] the interpretation of it,.... Of the dream: the three branches [are] three days; signify three days, or, as Jarchi expresses it, are a sign of three days; which
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 40:12
And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 40:12
i.e. Signify three days. So that word is oft used, as 41:26,27 Daniel 2:38 4:22 ,38 26:26,28 Lu 8:11 . And indeed there is no proper Hebrew word which answers to signify.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 40:12
Genesis 40:12 And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days:Ver. 12. The three branches are three days.] That is, They signify three days. So Genesis 41:26. "The seven kine are seven years." So, "this is my body": that is, This signifieth my body, saith Zuinglius, after Augustine and Ambrose. Or, This is the sign and figure of my body, saith Calvin, after Augustine and Tertullian; whatsoever Bellarmine and Hunnius prate to the contrary. It is an ordinary metonymy, whereby the name of a thing signified is given to the sign, for the analogy that is between them, and for the certainty of signification. Homer and Virgil have the like. As for those Christians that eat their God, let my soul be with the philosophers, rather than with them, saith Averroes, the learned Arabian. When it was objected to Nicolas Shetterden, martyr, by Archdeacon Harpsfield, that the words of Christ, when he said, Hoc est corpus meum, did change the substance, without any other interpretation, or spiritual meaning, he answered: Then like when Christ said, "This cup is my blood," the substance of the cup was changed into his blood, without any other meaning; and so the cup was changed, and not the wine. Harpsfield hereupon was forced to confess that Christ’ s testament was broken, and his institution changed from that he left it; but he said, they had power so to do.
Hun., De Sacram., cap. 14. Hom. (Iliad, iii. 280) victimas quibus faedera sanciebantur ïñêéá, i.e., faedera vocat. - Virgil, "fallere dextram" dixit, i.e., fidem et iusiurandum, quod datis dextris concipitur. Act. and Mon., fol 1515.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 40:12
Verse 12. The three branches are three days] That is, The three branches signify three days; so, this IS my body, that is, this bread signifies or represents my body; this cup IS my blood, REPRESENTS my blood; a form of speech frequently used in the sacred writings, for the Hebrew has no proper word by which our terms signifies, represents, c., are expressed therefore it says such a thing IS, for represents, points out, &c. And because several of our ancestors would understand such words in their true, genuine, critical, and sole meaning, Queen Mary, Bishops Gardiner, Bonner, and the rest of that demoniacal crew, reduced them to ashes in Smithfield and elsewhere!
Sermons on Genesis 40:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) - Part 27 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph from the Bible. He highlights Joseph's attitude of not dwelling on the evil done to him by his brothers and Potiphar's wi |
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(Australia) Another Gospel by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the contrast between the prosperity and comfort of some people's lives and the struggles and brokenness that others face. He emphasizes the |
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Freedom Cd - Track 9 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker shares their personal journey of being lost in sin and feeling estranged from God. Despite feeling undeserving, they experienced the overwhelming love a |
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The Lord's Supper by Jacob Prasch | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Jesus' final moments before his crucifixion. Jesus prioritized spending time with his disciples and discussing important ma |
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Taking the Cup and Calling on Jesus by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding that there is a divine purpose in all the challenges and trials we face. He refers to biblical figures like M |
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Jesus, Speak Clearly to Me by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and being willing to partake of the truths and life He offers. It warns against deception and spiritual delusion in the |
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Studies in 1 Corinthians-09 1 Cor 11 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a controversial chapter in the Bible and acknowledges that it may not be easy to understand. The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting |