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:

GENESIS 41:10KJV
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Genesis 41:10 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:10 mean?

Genesis 41:10 describes how Pharaoh became angry with his servants and imprisoned both the speaker and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. The verse is part of a recounting of past events, explaining why the speaker ended up in prison.

In this verse, the cupbearer is speaking to Pharaoh, recalling the time when both he and the chief baker were put in custody. The situation is set in Egypt, during Joseph’s time in prison, and the cupbearer is explaining how he came to know Joseph, who interpreted his dream while they were both imprisoned. This background is important for understanding how Joseph is about to be brought before Pharaoh.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:10

  • "wroth" (קָצַף, qatsaph): This word means to be angry or enraged. It emphasizes the seriousness of Pharaoh’s displeasure, showing that his anger led to severe consequences for his servants.
  • "ward" (מִשְׁמָר, mishmar): This word refers to a place of confinement or custody. It clarifies that the imprisonment was not just a casual holding but a formal detention under guard.
  • "captain" (שַׂר, sar): This term means a chief or official, here referring to the captain of the guard. It highlights the authority and official nature of the place where the prisoners were kept.

Why Genesis 41:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies how Joseph came into contact with Pharaoh’s servants, setting up the story for Joseph’s rise to power.
  • The mention of both the cupbearer and the chief baker shows that Pharaoh’s anger affected more than one person, emphasizing the unpredictability and authority of Pharaoh’s rule.
  • Understanding the specific roles and the formal nature of their imprisonment helps the reader see the seriousness of the situation and why Joseph’s later actions are so significant.

Where else these words appear

“ward” Hebrew H4929 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
  • 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.

“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 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
  • 1 Samuel 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

“wroth” Hebrew H7107 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
  • Deuteronomy 9:22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
  • Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

“guard's” 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.