And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

GENESIS 40:20KJV
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Genesis 40:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 40:20 mean?

Genesis 40:20 describes how, on Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his servants and called out the chief butler and the chief baker from among them. This event marks the third day after Joseph interpreted the dreams of these two men in prison.

In this scene, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is celebrating his birthday with a grand banquet for his court officials and servants. During the festivities, he singles out the chief butler and chief baker—both of whom had been imprisoned with Joseph—and brings them before everyone. This sets the stage for the fulfillment of Joseph’s interpretations of their dreams, highlighting the importance of this day in the story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 40:20

  • The word for "birthday" uses two Hebrew words: יוֹם (yom, “day”) and יָלַד (yalad, “to be born”), showing that this was literally the day of Pharaoh’s birth, not just a general celebration.
  • The verb נָשָׂא (nasa, “lifted up”) is used for “he lifted up the head,” which is a Hebrew expression meaning to pay special attention to or to single out someone, not just a physical action.
  • The word מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, “feast”) refers to a drinking banquet, indicating a festive and possibly formal occasion with plenty of food and drink.

Why Genesis 40:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Pharaoh’s birthday was a significant public event, which helps explain why decisions about the chief butler and baker were made so publicly.
  • The phrase “lifted up the head” can be misunderstood as a positive action, but in the story, it simply means Pharaoh called attention to both men, leading to very different outcomes for each.
  • Genesis 40:20 connects directly to Joseph’s earlier interpretations, showing how God’s messages through dreams are coming true, which is a key theme in Joseph’s story.

Where else these words appear

“baker” 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.

“feast” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 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.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

“butler” Hebrew H8248 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Genesis 40:21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
  • Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • 1 Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: