And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

GENESIS 41:12KJV
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Genesis 41:12 (KJV)

What does Genesis 41:12 mean?

Genesis 41:12 describes how a young Hebrew man, who was a servant to the captain of the guard, interpreted dreams for two men while they were in prison. The verse emphasizes that each man’s dream was explained to him personally and accurately by this Hebrew servant.

In this verse, the speaker is the chief butler (cupbearer) of Pharaoh, recounting his experience to Pharaoh after Pharaoh has troubling dreams. The butler is explaining how Joseph, a Hebrew slave in prison, interpreted dreams for him and the chief baker, and that Joseph’s interpretations came true exactly as he said. This sets the stage for Joseph to be brought before Pharaoh.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 41:12

  • "man" (נַעַר, naʿar): This word often means a young man or youth, highlighting Joseph’s relative youth and lower status in the prison.
  • "Hebrew" (עִבְרִי, ʿivri): The term identifies Joseph’s ethnic background, marking him as an outsider in Egypt and emphasizing his foreignness.
  • "servant" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word means a slave or servant, underlining Joseph’s low social position at this point in the story.
  • "captain" (שַׂר, sar): This refers to a chief or official, here meaning the captain of the guard, showing Joseph’s connection to an important Egyptian official.
  • "guard" (טַבָּח, tabbach): This word means "guard" or "chief of the butchers," specifying the role of Joseph’s master, Potiphar.
  • "interpreted" (פָּתַר, patar): This verb means to interpret or explain, especially dreams, highlighting Joseph’s unique ability.
  • "dreams" (חֲלוֹם, chalom): The word for dreams, central to Joseph’s story and the events that follow.

Why Genesis 41:12 matters

  • Genesis 41:12 clarifies that Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams was recognized by others, not just himself, lending credibility to his gift in the eyes of Pharaoh.
  • The verse highlights Joseph’s status as a foreign slave, making his rise to prominence in Egypt even more remarkable and unexpected.
  • This verse connects the earlier prison episode to Pharaoh’s current crisis, showing how seemingly small acts of faithfulness can have far-reaching consequences in the larger story.

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 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
  • 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.

“Hebrew” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

“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.

“dreams” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: