Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. New Living Translation “This is what the dream means,” Joseph told him. “The three baskets also represent three days. English Standard Version And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. Berean Standard Bible Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days. Berean Literal Bible And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: The three baskets are three days. King James Bible And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: New King James Version So Joseph answered and said, “This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. New American Standard Bible Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; NASB 1995 Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; NASB 1977 Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; Legacy Standard Bible Then Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; Amplified Bible Joseph answered, “This is the interpretation of it: the three baskets represent three days; Berean Annotated Bible Joseph (YHWH has added) replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days. Christian Standard Bible “This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days. Holman Christian Standard Bible This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days. American Standard Version And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days; Contemporary English Version Joseph said: This is the meaning of your dream. The three baskets are three days, English Revised Version And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days; GOD'S WORD® Translation "This is what it means," Joseph replied. "The three baskets are three days. Good News Translation Joseph answered, "This is what it means: the three baskets are three days. International Standard Version Joseph replied, "This is what your dream means: The three baskets are also three days. NET Bible Joseph replied, "This is its meaning: The three baskets represent three days. New Heart English Bible Joseph answered, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. Webster's Bible Translation And Joseph answered, and said, This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJoseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days. World English Bible Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Joseph answers and says, “This [is] its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; Berean Literal Bible And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: The three baskets are three days. Young's Literal Translation And Joseph answereth and saith, 'This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; Smith's Literal Translation And Joseph will answer and say, This its interpretation: the three baskets, they are three days; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleJoseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three baskets are yet three days: Catholic Public Domain Version Joseph responded: “This is the interpretation of the dream. The three baskets are the next three days, New American Bible Joseph said to him in reply: “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days; New Revised Standard Version And Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joseph answered and said to him, This is the interpretation of your dream: The three baskets are three days; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Yoseph answered and said to him, “This is the interpretation of your dream: three baskets are three days: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joseph answered and said: 'This is the interpretation thereof: the three baskets are three days; Brenton Septuagint Translation And Joseph answered and said to him, This is the interpretation of it; The three baskets are three days. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Cupbearer and the Baker…17In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” 18Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days. 19Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh of your body.”… Cross References Joseph replied, Genesis 41:16 “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” Daniel 2:28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these: Daniel 5:17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him. “This is the interpretation: Daniel 5:26 And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Daniel 2:30 And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. Genesis 41:28 It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. The three baskets Jeremiah 24:1-3 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. / One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early, but the other basket contained very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten. / “Jeremiah,” the LORD asked, “what do you see?” “Figs!” I replied. “The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are very bad, so bad they cannot be eaten.” Amos 8:1-2 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit. / “Amos, what do you see?” He asked. “A basket of summer fruit,” I replied. So the LORD said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.” Mark 8:19-20 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered. / “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said. are three days.” Genesis 42:17 So Joseph imprisoned them for three days, Joshua 1:11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’” Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!” Daniel 2:36-45 This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. / You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. / Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. … Daniel 4:19-27 For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies! / The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth, / whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— … Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 26:2 “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Treasury of Scripture And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: Genesis 40:12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: Genesis 41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. 1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. Jump to Previous Baskets Dream Interpretation Joseph Means Sense Thereof ThreeJump to Next Baskets Dream Interpretation Joseph Means Sense Thereof ThreeGenesis 40 1. The chief butler and baker of Pharaoh are also imprisoned.5. Joseph interprets their dreams. 20. They are accomplished according to his interpretation. 23. The ingratitude of the butler, in forgetting Joseph. Joseph replied Joseph, known for his ability to interpret dreams, is a key figure in the narrative of Genesis. His gift is acknowledged as coming from God, which sets him apart in the Egyptian context where dreams were often interpreted by magicians and wise men. Joseph's role as an interpreter foreshadows his rise to power in Egypt and his eventual role in God's plan for Israel. This is the interpretation The three baskets Are three days Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephA Hebrew man, son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt. He is known for his ability to interpret dreams, a gift from God. 2. Pharaoh's Chief Baker An Egyptian official imprisoned with Joseph. He had a dream that Joseph interpreted, which is the focus of this verse. 3. Prison in Egypt The setting where Joseph is held along with Pharaoh's officials, including the chief baker and the chief cupbearer. 4. Dream Interpretation The event where Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, showcasing his God-given ability. 5. Three Baskets Part of the chief baker's dream, symbolizing a time frame of three days, as interpreted by Joseph. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in GiftsJoseph's ability to interpret dreams is a reminder that God equips His people with specific gifts for His purposes. We should seek to understand and use our spiritual gifts for God's glory. Trust in God's Timing The three days in the dream symbolize God's precise timing. We should trust in God's timing in our lives, even when we are in difficult situations. Faithfulness in Adversity Despite being in prison, Joseph remains faithful and uses his God-given abilities. We should remain faithful and serve God, regardless of our circumstances. The Importance of Interpretation Joseph's interpretation of dreams highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in understanding His messages. We should pray for discernment and understanding in our spiritual walk. God's Plan for Redemption Joseph's account is part of God's larger plan for the redemption of His people. We should remember that God is always working for the good of those who love Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 40:18?2. How does Genesis 40:18 demonstrate God's sovereignty in interpreting dreams? 3. What can we learn about Joseph's faithfulness from Genesis 40:18? 4. How does Genesis 40:18 connect to Joseph's overall journey in Genesis? 5. How can we trust God's plan when facing uncertain situations like Joseph? 6. How does Joseph's interpretation in Genesis 40:18 encourage us to seek God's wisdom? 7. What is the significance of the three baskets in Genesis 40:18? 8. How does Genesis 40:18 relate to Joseph's ability to interpret dreams? 9. What does Genesis 40:18 reveal about God's communication through dreams? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 40? 11. Do the dream accounts and their outcomes in Genesis 40 conflict with any other dream narratives in the Bible regarding divine intervention? 12. Why would a prisoner like Joseph be entrusted with interpreting dreams for high-ranking officials (Genesis 40:5-8)? 13. If God guided Joseph, why does Genesis 40:19 single out the baker for execution without providing deeper justification? 14. How can the seemingly supernatural power to interpret dreams in Genesis 40:8 be reconciled with a scientific worldview? What Does Genesis 40:18 Mean Setting the sceneJoseph is still incarcerated, yet God’s favor rests on him (Genesis 39:21-23). Two royal officials—the chief cupbearer and the chief baker—have troubling dreams the same night (Genesis 40:5). Joseph tells them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams” (Genesis 40:8). This verse frames what follows: Joseph is not guessing; he is receiving and relaying divine revelation, echoing later scenes where he interprets Pharaoh’s dreams (Genesis 41:16, 25). Joseph as God’s mouthpiece • Joseph’s first words, “This is the interpretation,” signal certainty, much like Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:28-30). • The authority does not rest in Joseph’s intellect but in the God who “reveals deep and hidden things” (Daniel 2:22). • His calm confidence models how believers can trust God’s Word even in hostile environments (Acts 4:19-20). Three baskets: unveiling the timeframe • Joseph states plainly: “The three baskets are three days.” Prophetic symbolism is decoded with perfect clarity. • Earlier, the cupbearer’s dream linked “three branches” to “three days” (Genesis 40:12); God keeps His symbolism consistent, reinforcing reliability. • Scripture often uses specific time markers—think of Jonah’s “three days and three nights” in the fish (Jonah 1:17) or Jesus’ promise to rise “on the third day” (Luke 24:7). Each shows God’s sovereignty over time and events. God’s precision in prophecy • The prophecy unfolds exactly: “On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he…hanged the chief baker” (Genesis 40:20-22). • Such fulfillment mirrors later prophecies, e.g., Israel’s exodus after precisely 430 years (Exodus 12:40-41), underscoring that God “watches over His word to accomplish it” (Jeremiah 1:12). • This accuracy assures us every promise—including Christ’s return (John 14:3; Revelation 22:7)—is equally certain. Grace and judgment side by side • In the same prison, one man is restored and the other condemned—an echo of the two thieves on crosses beside Jesus (Luke 23:39-43). • The cupbearer receives life; the baker receives death. God’s revelation elicits both mercy and justice (Romans 11:22). • The scene foreshadows the gospel call: those who trust God’s revealed Word find life, while rejection brings judgment (John 3:36). Application for today • Trust the literal promises of Scripture—God fulfills His word to the day. • Share God’s truth boldly, as Joseph did, even when the message is hard (Ezekiel 3:17-19). • Recognize that every life situation, even an unjust prison, can become a platform for God’s glory (Philippians 1:12-13). summary Genesis 40:18 showcases Joseph delivering God’s exact interpretation: “The three baskets are three days.” The verse highlights divine revelation, precise timing, and the twin themes of mercy and judgment. Its literal fulfillment confirms God’s trustworthiness, encouraging believers to rely on His Word and proclaim it confidently wherever they are placed. Verses 18, 19. - And Joseph answered and said (with what reluctance and pathos may be imagined), This is the interpretation thereof (the exposition was supplied by God, and, however willing or anxious Joseph might be to soften its meaning to his auditor, he could not deviate a hair's-breadth from what he knew to be the mind of God): The three baskets are three days: yet within three days - literally, in three days more (ut supra, ver. 13) - shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee (i.e. deprive thee of life, the phrase containing a resemblance to that employed in ver. 13, and finding its explanation in the words that follow), and shall hang thee on a tree - i.e. after decapitation (cf. Deuteronomy 21:22, 23; Joshua 10:26; 2 Samuel 4:12), which was probably the mode of execution at that time practiced in Egypt (Michaelis, Clarke, Keil, Murphy, Alford, Inglis, Bush), though some regard the clause as a description of the way in which the baker s life was to be taken from him, viz., either by crucifixion (Onkelos, Rosenmüller, Ainsworth) or by hanging (Willst, Patrick, T. Lewis), and others view it as simply pointing to capital punishment, without indicating the instrument or method (Piscator, Lapide, Mercerus, 'Speaker's Commentary'). And the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. "The terror of approaching death would be aggravated to the poor man by the prospect of the indignity with which his body was to be treated" (Lawson).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Josephיוֹסֵף֙ (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites replied, וַיַּ֤עַן (way·ya·‘an) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond “This זֶ֖ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that is the interpretation: פִּתְרֹנ֑וֹ (piṯ·rō·nōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6623: Interpretation The three שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙ (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice baskets הַסַּלִּ֔ים (has·sal·lîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5536: A willow twig, an osier, as woven into a, basket are three שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice days. יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day Links Genesis 40:18 NIVGenesis 40:18 NLT Genesis 40:18 ESV Genesis 40:18 NASB Genesis 40:18 KJV Genesis 40:18 BibleApps.com Genesis 40:18 Biblia Paralela Genesis 40:18 Chinese Bible Genesis 40:18 French Bible Genesis 40:18 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 40:18 Joseph answered This is its interpretation (Gen. 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