And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

GENESIS 40:3KJV
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Genesis 40:3 (KJV)

What does Genesis 40:3 mean?

Genesis 40:3 describes how Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker were put in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, specifically in the same prison where Joseph was already being held. The verse shows that these two officials were placed under guard in a particular place connected to Joseph’s own story.

In this scene, Pharaoh has become angry with two of his high-ranking servants and orders them to be confined. The prison is not just any jail, but the one overseen by the captain of the guard, who is also Joseph’s master. This detail sets up the coming interaction between Joseph and these two men, which will become important in the next part of the story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 40:3

  • "Ward" (מִשְׁמָר, mishmar) means a place of confinement or custody. This word emphasizes that the officials were not just dismissed from their positions but were actually imprisoned and guarded.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit) is used for both the house of the captain of the guard and the prison, highlighting that the prison was part of or attached to the captain’s own residence or authority.
  • "Prison" (בֵּית הַסֹּהַר, beit ha-sohar) refers to a specific kind of confinement, often understood as a royal or official prison rather than a common jail. This shows the seriousness of the offense and the status of the prisoners.
  • "Bound" (אָסַר, asar) means to be tied up or restrained, underlining Joseph’s status as a prisoner and connecting his situation with that of the new prisoners.

Why Genesis 40:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joseph was not in a random prison, but in a place directly overseen by someone with authority, which explains how he later interacts with high-ranking officials.
  • The detail that the cupbearer and baker are put in the same prison as Joseph sets up the coming events where Joseph interprets their dreams, a turning point in his life.
  • Understanding the specific words for "prison" and "bound" helps readers see the seriousness of the situation and the official nature of the confinement, not just a temporary holding place.

Where else these words appear

“prison” Hebrew H5470 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
  • Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
  • Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

“ward” Hebrew H4929 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
  • Numbers 15:34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
  • Nehemiah 12:24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

“guard” Hebrew H2876 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
  • Jeremiah 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

“bound” Hebrew H631 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
  • Judges 16:5 And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.