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Genesis 40:18 Joseph replied, "This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 40:18 Joseph replied, "This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/40-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_40_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 40:18 - The Cupbearer and the Baker" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Joseph replied, This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/40-17.htm" title="Genesis 40:17">◄</a> Genesis 40:18 <a href="/genesis/40-19.htm" title="Genesis 40:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />“This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“This is what the dream means,” Joseph told him. “The three baskets also represent three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said, This <i>is</i> the interpretation thereof: The three baskets <i>are</i> three days:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Joseph answered and said, “This <i>is</i> the interpretation of it: The three baskets <i>are</i> three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Joseph answered, “This is the interpretation of it: the three baskets represent three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Joseph said: This is the meaning of your dream. The three baskets are three days, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"This is what it means," Joseph replied. "The three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joseph answered, "This is what it means: the three baskets are three days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Joseph replied, "This is what your dream means: The three baskets are also three days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joseph replied, ?This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joseph replied, "This is its meaning: The three baskets represent three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Joseph answered, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph answered, and said, This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph answers and says, “This [is] its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joseph answereth and saith, 'This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph will answer and say, This its interpretation: the three baskets, they are three days;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Joseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three baskets are yet three days: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Joseph responded: “This is the interpretation of the dream. The three baskets are the next three days,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to him in reply: “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said to him, This is the interpretation of your dream: The three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Yoseph answered and said to him, “This is the interpretation of your dream: three baskets are three days:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said: 'This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph answered and said to him, This is the interpretation of it; The three baskets are three days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/40-18.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=10241" 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">17</span>In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><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.">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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">“This</a> <a href="/hebrew/6623.htm" title="6623: piṯ·rō·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Interpretation. Or pithron; from pathar; interpretation.">is the interpretation:</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šeṯ (Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">The three</a> <a href="/hebrew/5536.htm" title="5536: has·sal·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Basket. From calal; properly, a willow twig, i.e. An osier; but only as woven into a basket.">baskets</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šeṯ (Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">are three</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh of your body.”…<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/2-36.htm">Daniel 2:36-45</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-19.htm">Daniel 4:19-27</a></span><br />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— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Matthew 16:21</a></span><br />From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-2.htm">Matthew 26:2</a></span><br />“You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-26.htm">Matthew 27:26</a></span><br />So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-33.htm">Mark 10:33-34</a></span><br />“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles, / who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-15.htm">Mark 15:15</a></span><br />And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-32.htm">Luke 18:32-33</a></span><br />He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. / They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-24.htm">Luke 23:24</a></span><br />So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-16.htm">John 19:16</a></span><br />Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a></span><br />He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27-28</a></span><br />In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-3.htm">1 Corinthians 15:3-4</a></span><br />For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">1 Peter 2:23</a></span><br />When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/40-12.htm">Genesis 40:12</a></b></br> And Joseph said unto him, This <i>is</i> the interpretation of it: The three branches <i>are</i> three days:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-26.htm">Genesis 41:26</a></b></br> The seven good kine <i>are</i> seven years; and the seven good ears <i>are</i> seven years: the dream <i>is</i> one.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a></b></br> And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/40-17.htm">Baskets</a> <a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">Interpretation</a> <a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/40-12.htm">Means</a> <a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/genesis/40-10.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/27-3.htm">Baskets</a> <a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/40-22.htm">Interpretation</a> <a href="/genesis/40-22.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/41-32.htm">Means</a> <a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/genesis/40-19.htm">Three</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'; 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His gift is acknowledged as coming from God, which sets him apart in the Egyptian context where dreams were often interpreted by magicians and wise men. Joseph's role as an interpreter foreshadows his rise to power in Egypt and his eventual role in God's plan for Israel.<p><b>This is the interpretation</b><br>The act of interpreting dreams was significant in ancient cultures, including Egypt, where dreams were considered messages from the divine. Joseph's confidence in providing the interpretation underscores his faith in God’s revelation. This moment highlights the theme of divine providence and the belief that God communicates His will through chosen individuals.<p><b>The three baskets</b><br>The imagery of baskets is culturally relevant, as baskets were commonly used in ancient Egypt for carrying goods, including food. The number three is often symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness or divine perfection. In this context, the three baskets are directly linked to the timeline of the prophecy, emphasizing the precision of God's message.<p><b>Are three days</b><br>The specific mention of three days is a prophetic element, indicating a short, defined period before the fulfillment of the dream's message. This timeframe is significant in biblical narratives, often associated with preparation, testing, or revelation. The three days here parallel other biblical events, such as Jonah's three days in the fish and Jesus' resurrection on the third day, symbolizing a period of waiting followed by a significant outcome.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>A Hebrew man, son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt. He is known for his ability to interpret dreams, a gift from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh's_chief_baker.htm">Pharaoh's Chief Baker</a></b><br>An Egyptian official imprisoned with Joseph. He had a dream that Joseph interpreted, which is the focus of this verse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/prison_in_egypt.htm">Prison in Egypt</a></b><br>The setting where Joseph is held along with Pharaoh's officials, including the chief baker and the chief cupbearer.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/dream_interpretation.htm">Dream Interpretation</a></b><br>The event where Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, showcasing his God-given ability.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/three_baskets.htm">Three Baskets</a></b><br>Part of the chief baker's dream, symbolizing a time frame of three days, as interpreted by Joseph.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_gifts.htm">God's Sovereignty in Gifts</a></b><br>Joseph's ability to interpret dreams is a reminder that God equips His people with specific gifts for His purposes. We should seek to understand and use our spiritual gifts for God's glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>The three days in the dream symbolize God's precise timing. We should trust in God's timing in our lives, even when we are in difficult situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Despite being in prison, Joseph remains faithful and uses his God-given abilities. We should remain faithful and serve God, regardless of our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_interpretation.htm">The Importance of Interpretation</a></b><br>Joseph's interpretation of dreams highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in understanding His messages. We should pray for discernment and understanding in our spiritual walk.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_plan_for_redemption.htm">God's Plan for Redemption</a></b><br>Joseph's account is part of God's larger plan for the redemption of His people. We should remember that God is always working for the good of those who love Him.<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/do_genesis_40_dreams_conflict_with_others.htm">Do the dream accounts and their outcomes in Genesis 40 conflict with any other dream narratives in the Bible regarding divine intervention?</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/why_was_the_baker_executed_in_genesis_40_19.htm">If God guided Joseph, why does Genesis 40:19 single out the baker for execution without providing deeper justification?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 18, 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph answered and said</span> (with what reluctance and pathos may be imagined), <span class="cmt_word">This is the interpretation thereof</span> (the exposition was supplied by God, and, however willing or anxious Joseph might be to soften its meaning to his auditor, he could not deviate a hair's-breadth from what he knew to be the mind of God): <span class="cmt_word">The three baskets are three days: yet within three days</span> - literally, <span class="accented">in three days more</span> (ut supra, ver. 13) - <span class="cmt_word">shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> deprive thee of life, the phrase containing a resemblance to that employed in ver. 13, and finding its explanation in the words that follow), <span class="cmt_word">and shall hang thee on a tree</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> after decapitation (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/21-22.htm">Deuteronomy 21:22, 23</a>; <a href="/joshua/10-26.htm">Joshua 10:26</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12</a>), which was probably the mode of execution at that time practiced in Egypt (Michaelis, Clarke, Keil, Murphy, Alford, Inglis, Bush), though some regard the clause as a description of the way in which the baker s life was to be taken from him, viz., either by crucifixion (Onkelos, Rosenmüller, Ainsworth) or by hanging (Willst, Patrick, T. Lewis), and others view it as simply pointing to capital punishment, without indicating the instrument or method (Piscator, Lapide, Mercerus, 'Speaker's Commentary'). <span class="cmt_word">And the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.</span> "The terror of approaching death would be aggravated to the poor man by the prospect of the indignity with which his body was to be treated" (Lawson). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/40-18.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">Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵף֙</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">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֤עַן</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“This</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the interpretation:</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּתְרֹנ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(piṯ·rō·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<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">The three</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">baskets</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסַּלִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(has·sal·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5536.htm">Strong's 5536: </a> </span><span class="str2">A willow twig, an osier, as woven into a, basket</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are three</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/40-18.htm">Genesis 40:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/40-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 40:18 Joseph answered This is its interpretation (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/40-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 40:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 40:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/40-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 40:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 40:19" /></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>