Genesis 40:13

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

Original Language Analysis

בְּע֣וֹד׀ Yet H5750

בְּע֣וֹד׀ Yet

Strong's: H5750

Word #: 1 of 19

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת within three H7969

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת within three

Strong's: H7969

Word #: 2 of 19

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָמִ֗ים days H3117

יָמִ֗ים days

Strong's: H3117

Word #: 3 of 19

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יִשָּׂ֤א lift up H5375

יִשָּׂ֤א lift up

Strong's: H5375

Word #: 4 of 19

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פַּרְעֹה֙ Pharaoh's H6547

פַּרְעֹה֙ Pharaoh's

Strong's: H6547

Word #: 5 of 19

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֶת H853

אֶת

Strong's: H853

Word #: 6 of 19

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹאשֶׁ֔ךָ thine head H7218

רֹאשֶׁ֔ךָ thine head

Strong's: H7218

Word #: 7 of 19

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַהֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֖ and restore H7725

וַהֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֖ and restore

Strong's: H7725

Word #: 8 of 19

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל H5921

עַל

Strong's: H5921

Word #: 9 of 19

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כַּנֶּ֑ךָ thee unto thy place H3653

כַּנֶּ֑ךָ thee unto thy place

Strong's: H3653

Word #: 10 of 19

a stand, i.e., pedestal or station

וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ and thou shalt deliver H5414

וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ and thou shalt deliver

Strong's: H5414

Word #: 11 of 19

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

כוֹס cup H3563

כוֹס cup

Strong's: H3563

Word #: 12 of 19

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

פַּרְעֹה֙ Pharaoh's H6547

פַּרְעֹה֙ Pharaoh's

Strong's: H6547

Word #: 13 of 19

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

בְּיָד֔וֹ into his hand H3027

בְּיָד֔וֹ into his hand

Strong's: H3027

Word #: 14 of 19

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כַּמִּשְׁפָּט֙ manner H4941

כַּמִּשְׁפָּט֙ manner

Strong's: H4941

Word #: 15 of 19

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן after the former H7223

הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן after the former

Strong's: H7223

Word #: 16 of 19

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

Strong's: H834

Word #: 17 of 19

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיִ֖יתָ H1961

הָיִ֖יתָ

Strong's: H1961

Word #: 18 of 19

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַשְׁקֵֽהוּ׃ H4945

מַשְׁקֵֽהוּ׃

Strong's: H4945

Word #: 19 of 19

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region

Cross References

Psalms 3:3 Jeremiah 52:31 2 Kings 25:27

Analysis & Commentary

Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou sh... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

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