Learning to interpret (40:1-13, 16-22). Since the king’s prisoners were put into this prison, Joseph met some men who held high offices and had access to Pharaoh, among them Pharaoh’s chief butler (cupbearer) and the royal baker. The cupbearer’s job was to protect the king by making certain the king’s wine was prepared and safe to drink (Neh. 1:11–2:1). Since he served in the very presence of Pharaoh, he was a powerful man with access to the king’s ear. God brought these two men into Joseph’s life so that He could ultimately set him free and give him the throne He had prepared for him.

Dreams played a very important part in the life of leaders in Egypt, and the ability to interpret dreams was a highly respected skill. So far, Joseph had pondered his own dreams, but this is the first time he interprets the dreams of others. The fact that he noticed the looks of dismay on the men’s faces shows that he was a caring and discerning man, and the fact that Joseph gave God the glory (Gen. 40:8) shows he was a humble man.

To “lift up your head” (vv. 13, 19 niv) is a phrase that means “to have your case considered by the king, then be restored” (2 Kings 25:27; Jer. 52:31). But as far as the baker was concerned, the phrase had a double meaning, because Pharaoh would have him executed. The Egyptians didn’t use the gallows; they beheaded the victim and then impaled his body on a stake (“tree”). So, in a dual sense, the baker’s head was “lifted up.”

Joseph’s interpretations came true: The cupbearer was restored to his position, and the baker was executed. While Joseph was no doubt sorry for the baker, it must have encouraged him to see that his interpretation was accurate and that Pharaoh did reconsider cases and set people free.