Genesis 40:5 Commentary and Bible Study

Both men dreamed on the same night, each having his own particular dream. The dreams came with such compelling power, that each man was certain his dream must be revealing some vital truth about the future of his life, but what was it? They are disturbed and overawed, and tell each other their dreams, but neither of them knows the meaning. This coupled with the deep impression made by the dream disturbs them greatly. Dreams were always taken seriously in Egypt, and we can find dream books in the British Museum dating from early Egypt which claim to offer interpretations. But these dreams came across as very significant and, being cut off from the normal source of interpretation in prison, they did not know where to turn for help. Neither of these men knew the living God, and yet they received private revelations from him, and this was only in order to give opportunity for Joseph’s gift of interpretation to come to light. Joseph comes to see them in the morning – and this reads as if he was doing his daily rounds, as the one in charge of all the prisoners – and he sees they are both looking sad. The Hebrew word means fretful, vexed, perplexed. He notices this and asks about it. It is a small insight into his fellow feeling and consideration for the well-being of those placed in his charge. He was a most unusual jailor – having a welfare role as well, it appears. On hearing about the dreams, Joseph is very interested. He is a servant of God and the interpretation of dreams is something that God gives. His question indicates that if they are looking for an interpretation from the wrong source and they are wasting their time; God alone reveals the meaning of revelatory dreams; God alone knows the future; God alone can reveal the future. He knows this from personal experience. This statement shows what great significance he must have attached to his own dreams. He believed these men’s dreams had come from God, and he believed that God alone could give the interpretation. This was among the ‘divers manners’ in which God spake in time past unto the fathers (Hebrews 1:1), but on this occasion to two of Pharoah’s servants.As a type of Christ Joseph had a gift from God for the interpretation of secrets. He, as it were, was given to know the destinies of man. One will rise and another will fall. One will be saved, another will perish. But Joseph does not claim any personal credit for unfolding the meaning of the dreams. He made it quite clear that God would give him the interpretation. He is aware of his prophetic gift. It is not totally comprehensive, but operates as God gives and the occasion allows. Also, it is not like Daniel who knew the dream without being told.