And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

GENESIS 40:17KJV
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Genesis 40:17 (KJV)

What does Genesis 40:17 mean?

Genesis 40:17 describes how, in a dream, the chief baker saw himself carrying three baskets on his head, with the top basket full of all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but birds came and ate the food out of the basket while it was still on his head. This detail is part of the baker’s account to Joseph, seeking an interpretation of his dream while both are in prison.

In the story, the chief baker is explaining his dream to Joseph, who is known for interpreting dreams. The scene takes place in an Egyptian prison, where both the baker and Joseph have been confined. The dream’s vivid image of birds eating Pharaoh’s food from the basket on the baker’s head is a key detail that Joseph will soon interpret, and it sets up a contrast with the cupbearer’s more hopeful dream just before this.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 40:17

  • "uppermost" (עֶלְיוֹן, `elyon): This word means "highest" or "topmost," emphasizing that the basket with the food was on the very top of the stack, making it accessible to the birds.
  • "bakemeats" (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma'aseh and אֹפֶה, o'feh): These words together refer to all sorts of baked goods or pastries, highlighting the variety and richness of the food prepared for Pharaoh, not just simple bread.
  • "birds" (עוֹף, `oph): This word means "birds" or "flying creatures," and their eating the food is a striking image that signals something being taken away or lost, which is important for the dream’s meaning.

Why Genesis 40:17 matters

  • The detail about the birds eating Pharaoh’s food directly from the basket on the baker’s head becomes a crucial clue for Joseph’s interpretation, hinting at a negative outcome for the baker.
  • The verse highlights the contrast between the baker’s dream and the cupbearer’s dream, both in content and in the fate that will be revealed for each man.
  • Understanding the specific foods and the action of the birds helps the reader see how dreams in the Bible often use vivid, everyday images to communicate deeper meanings about a person’s future.

Where else these words appear

“basket” Hebrew H5536 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
  • Exodus 29:32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.

“bakemeats” Hebrew H644 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Genesis 41:10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
  • 1 Samuel 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

“manner” Hebrew H3978 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
  • Isaiah 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

“upon” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.