But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

GENESIS 40:22KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 40:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 40:22 mean?

Genesis 40:22 states that Pharaoh executed the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted the baker’s dream. This verse confirms that Joseph’s explanation of the dreams was accurate and came true exactly as he had said.

In the story, Joseph is in prison with two of Pharaoh’s officials—the chief cupbearer and the chief baker—who both have troubling dreams. Joseph interprets their dreams, telling the baker that he will be executed. Genesis 40:22 records the fulfillment of that interpretation, showing that Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams was reliable and that the events unfolded just as he predicted.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 40:22

  • “Hanged” (תָּלָה, talah): This word means to hang or suspend, often referring to execution by hanging on a tree or gallows. Its use here makes clear that the baker’s death was public and shameful, not just a private execution.
  • “Chief” (שַׂר, sar): This term means a leader or official. The verse emphasizes that even someone of high rank, like the chief baker, was not spared from judgment.
  • “Baker” (אֹפֶה, ophen): This is the specific word for someone who bakes bread or food. Naming the baker highlights the personal fulfillment of Joseph’s interpretation.
  • “Joseph” (יוֹסֵף, Yosef): The verse mentions Joseph by name, underlining his role as the interpreter and the accuracy of his words.
  • “Interpreted” (פָּתַר, patar): This word means to explain or solve, especially in reference to dreams. The verse stresses that Joseph’s interpretation was not just a guess, but a true explanation of what would happen.

Why Genesis 40:22 matters

  • Genesis 40:22 confirms that Joseph’s interpretations were not just lucky guesses, but truly revealed what would happen, setting up his later rise to power in Egypt.
  • The verse shows that Pharaoh’s decisions were final and could affect even high officials, highlighting the seriousness of the situation Joseph was in.
  • By recording the fulfillment of Joseph’s words, the verse builds trust in Joseph’s character and abilities, which becomes important in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“interpreted” Hebrew H6622 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
  • Genesis 41:8 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 unto Pharaoh.
  • Genesis 41:13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

“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.

“hanged” Hebrew H8518 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 40:19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
  • 2 Samuel 21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
  • Esther 9:25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.