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Genesis 40:8 "We both had dreams," they replied, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams."
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Tell me your dreams.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and <i>there is</i> no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, <i>Do</i> not interpretations <i>belong</i> to God? tell me <i>them</i>, I pray you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and <i>there is</i> no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell <i>them</i> to me, please.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they said to him, “We have had a dream, and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do interpretations not belong to God? Tell <i>it</i> to me, please.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell <i>it</i> to me, please.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they said to him, “We have had a dream, and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Recount <i>it</i> to me, please.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And they said to him, “We have [each] dreamed [distinct] dreams and there is no one to interpret them.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me [your dreams].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell it me, I pray you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"We each had a dream last night," they answered, "and there is no one to tell us what they mean." Joseph replied, "Doesn't God know the meaning of dreams? Now tell me what you dreamed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell it me, I pray you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"We both had dreams," they answered him, "but there's no one to tell us what they mean." "Isn't God the only one who can tell what they mean?" Joseph asked them. "Why don't you tell me all about them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They answered, "Each of us had a dream, and there is no one here to explain what the dreams mean." "It is God who gives the ability to interpret dreams," Joseph said. "Tell me your dreams." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"We had a dream," they replied, "but there's no one to interpret it." "Interpretations belong to God," Joseph told them, "so please tell me your stories."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?We both had dreams,? they replied, ?but there is no one to interpret them.? Then Joseph said to them, ?Don?t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They told him, "We both had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them." Joseph responded, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, "We both had dreams, but there is no one who can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they say to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it”; and Joseph says to them, “Are interpretations not with God? Please recount to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they say unto him, 'A dream we have dreamed, and there is no interpreter of it;' and Joseph saith unto them, 'Are not interpretations with God? recount, I pray you, to me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will say to him, We dreamed a dream, and there is none interpreting it And Joseph will say to them, Are not interpretations to God? Relate now to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They answered: We have dreamed a dream, and there is nobody to interpret it to us. And Joseph said to them: Both not interpretation belong to God? Tell me what you have dreamed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They responded, “We have seen a dream, and there is no one to interpret it for us.” And Joseph said to them, “Doesn’t interpretation belong to God? Recount for me what you have seen.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They answered him, “We have had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them.” Joseph said to them, “Do interpretations not come from God? Please tell me the dreams.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one to interpret it. And Joseph said to them, Behold, the interpretations belong to God; tell them to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said to him, “We dreamed a dream and there is no interpreter for it.” Yoseph said to them, “Behold, interpretations are of God; relate them to me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they said unto him: 'We have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it.' And Joseph said unto them: 'Do not interpretations belong to God? tell it me, I pray you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they said to him, We have seen a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Is not the interpretation of them through god? tell <i>them</i> than to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/40-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10153" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/40.htm">The Cupbearer and the Baker</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?” <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2472.htm" title="2472: ḥă·lō·wm (N-ms) -- A dream. Or chalom; from chalam; a dream.">“We both had dreams,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/2492.htm" title="2492: ḥā·lam·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream. A primitive root; properly, to bind firmly, i.e. to be plump; also to dream."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">“but there is no one</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6622.htm" title="6622: ū·p̄ō·ṯêr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To interpret. A primitive root; to open up, i.e. interpret.">to interpret them.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Then Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Don’t</a> <a href="/hebrew/6623.htm" title="6623: piṯ·rō·nîm (N-mp) -- Interpretation. Or pithron; from pathar; interpretation.">interpretations</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: lê·lō·hîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">belong to God?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5608.htm" title="5608: sap·pə·rū- (V-Piel-Imp-mp) -- To count, recount, relate. ">Tell me your dreams.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream: “In my dream there was a vine before me,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27-28</a></span><br />Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-47.htm">Daniel 2:47</a></span><br />The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-8.htm">Daniel 4:8-9</a></span><br />But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream: / “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-12.htm">Daniel 5:12</a></span><br />did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-16.htm">Daniel 5:16</a></span><br />But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10</a></span><br />to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-26.htm">1 Corinthians 14:26</a></span><br />What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17</a></span><br />‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-30.htm">Acts 2:30</a></span><br />But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9-10</a></span><br />During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Acts 18:9-10</a></span><br />One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a></span><br />He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-13.htm">Judges 7:13-15</a></span><br />And as Gideon arrived, a man was telling his friend about a dream. “Behold, I had a dream,” he said, “and I saw a loaf of barley bread come tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent so hard that the tent overturned and collapsed.” / 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.” / When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a></span><br />He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a></span><br />One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they said to him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.</p><p class="hdg">Do not, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Genesis 41:15,16</a></b></br> And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and <i>there is</i> none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, <i>that</i> thou canst understand a dream to interpret it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15,16</a></b></br> In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-14.htm">Psalm 25:14</a></b></br> The secret of the LORD <i>is</i> with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Dreamed</a> <a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Dreams</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Interpret</a> <a href="/daniel/5-16.htm">Interpretations</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-28.htm">Interpreter</a> <a href="/genesis/40-6.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Please</a> <a href="/nahum/2-5.htm">Recount</a> <a href="/genesis/11-9.htm">Sense</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/45-11.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/genesis/40-9.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Dreamed</a> <a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Dreams</a> <a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Interpret</a> <a href="/daniel/5-16.htm">Interpretations</a> <a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Interpreter</a> <a href="/genesis/40-9.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/40-14.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/41-12.htm">Recount</a> <a href="/genesis/40-12.htm">Sense</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/40-1.htm">The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh are also imprisoned.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Joseph interprets their dreams.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/40-20.htm">They are accomplished according to his interpretation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/40-23.htm">The ingratitude of the butler, in forgetting Joseph.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“We both had dreams,” they replied</b><br>In the ancient Near East, dreams were often considered significant and could be seen as messages from the divine. The context here is Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt, where he encounters Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker. Dreams in this culture were not just personal experiences but were often believed to have implications for the future or for the community. The fact that both men had dreams on the same night suggests a divine orchestration, setting the stage for Joseph's role in God's plan.<p><b>“but there is no one to interpret them.”</b><br>In Egyptian culture, professional dream interpreters were common, often serving in the royal court. The cupbearer and baker's statement highlights their isolation and the absence of these professionals in prison. This sets the stage for Joseph, who, unlike the Egyptian magicians, attributes the ability to interpret dreams to God. This moment underscores the limitations of human wisdom and the need for divine insight.<p><b>Then Joseph said to them,</b><br>Joseph's response is immediate and confident, reflecting his faith and trust in God. Despite his own unjust circumstances, Joseph remains attentive to the needs of others, demonstrating his character and leadership qualities. This interaction is pivotal, as it eventually leads to his rise to power in Egypt.<p><b>“Don’t interpretations belong to God?</b><br>Joseph's rhetorical question emphasizes the sovereignty of God over all things, including the mysteries of dreams. This statement is a declaration of monotheism in a polytheistic culture, asserting that true wisdom and understanding come from the one true God. It also foreshadows Joseph's role as a prophet-like figure, through whom God reveals His plans.<p><b>Tell me your dreams.”</b><br>Joseph invites the men to share their dreams, positioning himself as a vessel through which God can work. This act of faith and service is a turning point in Joseph's life, leading to his eventual release and rise to power. It also prefigures the role of Jesus Christ, who invites humanity to bring their burdens to Him, offering divine insight and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>A Hebrew man who was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt. He is currently imprisoned but remains faithful to God and is given the ability to interpret dreams.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/cupbearer_and_baker.htm">Cupbearer and Baker</a></b><br>Two officials of Pharaoh who were imprisoned with Joseph. They each had a dream that troubled them, leading to the events of this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/prison_in_egypt.htm">Prison in Egypt</a></b><br>The setting of this passage, where Joseph is held and where he encounters the cupbearer and baker.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_wisdom.htm">Dependence on God for Wisdom</a></b><br>Joseph's response highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in all matters, recognizing that true understanding comes from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Despite his circumstances, Joseph remains faithful and uses his God-given gifts to serve others, demonstrating integrity and trust in God's plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_interpretation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Interpretation</a></b><br>Joseph acknowledges that interpretations belong to God, reminding us of His ultimate authority and control over all things.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/using_spiritual_gifts_for_god's_glory.htm">Using Spiritual Gifts for God's Glory</a></b><br>Joseph uses his gift of interpretation to help others, setting an example of how we should use our spiritual gifts to serve and glorify God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_40_8_fit_science.htm">How can the seemingly supernatural power to interpret dreams in Genesis 40:8 be reconciled with a scientific worldview? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_dreams.htm">What does the Bible say about interpreting dreams?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_trust_joseph_with_dream_interpretation.htm">Why would a prisoner like Joseph be entrusted with interpreting dreams for high-ranking officials (Genesis 40:5-8)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_angel_numbers_biblical.htm">Are angel numbers biblical?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">There is no interpreter.</span>--In Egypt it was the business of men trained for the purpose, called in <a href="/genesis/41-8.htm" title="And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them to Pharaoh.">Genesis 41:8</a>, <span class= "ital">magicians </span>and <span class= "ital">wise men, </span>to interpret dreams, and to such the butler and baker could have no access from their prison. But Joseph denies that art and training can really avail, and claims that the interpretation belongs to God.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they said unto him, We hays dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it</span> - literally, <span class="accented">a dream have we dreamt, and interpreting it there is none</span>. This must be noted as a third peculiarity connected with these dreams, that both of their recipients were similarly affected by them, though there was much in the butler s dream to inspire hope rather than dejection. <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God</span>? - literally, <span class="accented">Are not interpretations to Elohim? i.e.</span> the Supreme Being (cf. <a href="/genesis/41-16.htm">Genesis 41:16</a>; <a href="/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11, 28, 47</a>). The Egyptians believed <span class="greek">ὅτι ἀνθρώπων μὲν</span> <span class="greek">οὐδενὶ προσκέεται ἡ τέχνη μαντικὴ τῶν δὲ</span> <span class="greek">θεῶν μετεξετέροισε</span> (Herod., 2:83). <span class="cmt_word">Tell me them, I pray you.</span> Joseph's request implies that the consciousness of his Divine calling to be a prophet had begun to dawn upon him, and that he was now speaking from an inward conviction, doubtless produced within his mind by Elohim, that he could unfold the true significance of the dreams. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/40-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“We both had dreams,”</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲל֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·lō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2472.htm">Strong's 2472: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dream</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“but there is no one</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to interpret them.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפֹתֵ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ō·ṯêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6622.htm">Strong's 6622: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open up, interpret</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֗ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֨אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵהֶ֜ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Don’t</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲל֤וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">interpretations</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּתְרֹנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(piṯ·rō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6623.htm">Strong's 6623: </a> </span><span class="str2">Interpretation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">belong to God?</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵֽאלֹהִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(lê·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Tell me your dreams.”</span><br /><span class="heb">סַפְּרוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(sap·pə·rū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5608.htm">Strong's 5608: </a> </span><span class="str2">To count, recount, relate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/40-8.htm">Genesis 40:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/40-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 40:8 They said to him We have dreamed (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/40-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 40:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 40:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/40-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 40:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 40:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>