Study Notes Week 40

Read
Aloud together to hear the Word (Leviticus 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:1-4; Luke 4:16-17)

40:1 After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker sinned against their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two [eunuchs],^(LXX)(MTT) the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 3 He put them in custody in the house of the chief of the cooks, into the prison house, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 The chief of the cooks assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days. 5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison house. 6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad. 7 He asked Pharaoh's [eunuchs]^(LXX)(MTT) who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?” 8 They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don't interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell it to me.” 9 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me, 10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.” 12 Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer. 14 But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.” 16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.” 18 Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Torah Portion Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

Review

1. Genesis 38:27-30 In the time of her travail (Tamar), behold, twins were in her womb. 28 When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came out first.” 29 As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
   1. Jubilees 41:21 And after that she bare two sons, Perez and Zerah, in the seventh year of this second week [2170 A.M.].
   2. Ruth 4:12 Let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which YHWH will give you by this young woman.
2. Jubilees 41:22 And thereupon the seven years of fruitfulness were accomplished, of which Joseph spake to Pharaoh.
3. Testament of Judah 2:34-35 And after this we came into Egypt to Joseph, because of the famine. 35 And I was forty and six years old, and seventy and three years lived I in Egypt.
4. Genesis 39:20 The master of Joseph took him, and put him into the prison house, the place where the prisoners of the king were bound, and he was there in the prison house.
   1. בֵּית הַסֹּהַר beit hasohar (H1004 + H5470) literally means “house of the fortress or roundness” as in a place of confinement surrounded by walls.
5. Genesis 39:21-23 But [Elohim]^(LXX) was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief of the prison house. 22 The chief of the prison house committed to the hand of  Joseph all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it. 23 The chief of the prison house didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because [Elohim]^(LXX) was with him; and that which he did, [Elohim]^(LXX) made it prosper.

Genesis 40:1-23

1. Genesis 40:1-2 After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker sinned against their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two [eunuchs],^(LXX)(MTT) the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
   1. Eunuchs
      1. סָרִיסִים sarisim (H5631) are castrated males and the plural form of סָרִיס saris and equivalent to εὐνοῦχος eunouchos (G2135). Because eunuchs were used as officers, many Bibles also translate סְרִיס saris as “officer”. According to Yeshua, there are 3 types of eunuchs, “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Reign of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.” – Matthew 19:12
         1. Born that way from their mother’s womb
         2. Made eunuchs by men
         3. Made themselves eunuchs for the Reign of Heaven’s sake
2. Genesis 40:3-4 He put them in custody in the house of the chief of the cooks, into the prison house, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 The chief of the cooks assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
   1. שַׂר הַטַבָּחִים Sar HaTabbachim (H8269 + H2867) literally means “ruler of the slaughterers” and is often translated as “executioner” because a priest slaughters animals for offering to their elohim and also cooks these slaughtered animals for food to be eaten by the priests and their families. According to Jubilees 34:11, Potiphar, the eunuch of Pharaoh, was the “chief of the cooks” and priest of the city of ‘Êlêw, fulfilling the duty and dual purpose of “ruler of the slaughterers.”
3. Genesis 40:5 They both dreamed a dream…
   1. Dream = חֲלוֹם chalom (H2472) essentially means to gaze comes from a root word that means “to pass through”. חֲלוֹם chalom is equivalent to the Greek word ἐνύπνιον enypnion (en-oop’-nee-on) (G1798) and is from the words en + hypnos meaning “in sleep” as in “something seen or gazed upon in sleep.”
   2. Joel 2:28 It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
      1. Acts 2:17 ‘It will be in the last days, says Elohim, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
         1. Prophesy = נַבְּאִֽים naveim (H5012) comes from a root that literally means “seed inside” and is represented by fruits, since fruit hides the seeds inside it. A person who speaks prophecy is one who announces or utters the words or instructions of Elohim received through a vision or dream (cf. Numbers 12:6)
         2. Visions = חִזָּיוֹן chizayon (H2384) means “to see” as in the ability to see beyond what is physically seen. חִזָּיוֹן chizayon shares the root “to see” with חָזִיז chaziz (H2385) which is a flash of light or lightning or a moment of vision in the dark of night (cf. Job 28:26; Job 38:25; Zechariah 10:1).
            1. Job 28:26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder
            2. Job 38:25 Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm
            3. Zechariah 10:1-2 Ask of YHWH rain in the spring time, YHWH who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field. 2 For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
      2. Ezekiel 12:21-24 The word of YHWH came to me, saying, 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’? 23 Tell them therefore, ‘The Lord YHWH says: “I will make this proverb to cease, and they will no more use it as a proverb in Israel;” ’ but tell them, ‘ “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision. 24 For there will be no more any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am YHWH. I will speak, and the word that I speak will be performed. It will be no more deferred; for in your days, rebellious house, I will speak the word and will perform it,” says the Lord YHWH.’ ”
      3. Ezekiel 13:1-10 The word of YHWH came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of YHWH: 3 The Lord YHWH says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places. 5 You have not gone up into the gaps or built up the wall for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of YHWH. 6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, ‘YHWH says;’ but YHWH has not sent them. They have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed. 7 Haven’t you seen a false vision, and haven’t you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, ‘YHWH says;’ but I have not spoken?” 8 “ ‘Therefore the Lord YHWH says: “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you,” says the Lord YHWH. 9 “My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord YHWH.” 10 “ ‘Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, “Peace;” and there is no peace. When one builds up a wall, behold, they plaster it with whitewash.
      4. Habakkuk 2:1-4 I will stand at my watch and set myself on the ramparts, and will look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2 YHWH answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it. 3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it, because it will surely come. It won’t delay. 4 Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.
         1. Romans 1:17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
         2. Galatians 3:11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”
         3. Hebrews 10:36-39 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 37 “In a very little while, he who comes will come and will not wait. 38 But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
   3. Job 33:12-17 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for Elohim is greater than man. 13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters? 14 For Elohim speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; 16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
      1. Deep Sleep = תַּרְדֵּמָה tardemah (H8639) is a feminine noun from the word רָדַם radam (H7290) which means to sleep or unconscious and has been translated as a deep sleep or dead sleep (cf. Genesis 2:21) but might be better defined as a profound and divinely-induced half-conscious state characterized by an absence of response to external stimuli. The Septuagint (LXX) translates תַּרְדֵּמָה tardemah as the Greek word ἔκστασις ekstasis (G1611) which is a state of partly suspended animation or inability to function; a deep sleep or unconsciousness (cf. Act 10:10; Acts 11:5; Acts 22:17). ἔκστασις ekstasis can be further defined as any displacement or casting down of a thing from its proper place or state; a throwing or alienation of the mind out of its normal state, whether such as makes a lunatic or that of a man who by some sudden emotion is transported as it were out of himself, so that in this rapt condition, although he is awake, his mind is drawn off from all surrounding objects and wholly fixed on things divine that he sees nothing but the forms and images lying within, and thinks that he perceives with his bodily eyes and ears realities shown him by God (Outline of Biblical Usage by Larry Pierce).
   4. Sirach 34:1-7 Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding. Dreams give wings to fools. 2 As one who grasps at a shadow and follows after the wind, so is he who sets his mind on dreams. 3 The vision of dreams is a reflection, the likeness of a face near a face. 4 From an unclean thing what can be cleansed? From that which is false what can be true? 5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain. The heart has fantasies like a woman in labor. 6 If they are not sent in a inspection from the Most High, don’t give your heart to them. 7 For dreams have led many astray. They have failed by putting their hope in them.
4. Genesis 40:5…each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison house.
   1. Tobit 1:22 Achiacharus requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.
   2. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan And after these things it was shown, saying The chief of the butlers of the king of Mizraim, and the chief of the bakers, have offended; having taken counsel to throw the poison of death into his food, and into his drink, to kill their master the king of Mizraim. And Pharaoh was angry when he heard concerning his two servants, the chief cup‑bearer and the chief baker.
   3. Josephus 2.5.1 Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to Elohim, did not betake himself to make his defense, nor to give an account of the exact circumstances of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds and the distress he was in, firmly believing that Elohim, who knew the cause of his affliction, and the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him:—a proof of whose providence he quickly received; for the keeper of the prison taking notice of his care and fidelity in the affairs he had set him about, and the dignity of his countenance, relaxed his bonds, and thereby made his heavy calamity lighter, and more supportable to him. He also permitted him to make use of a diet better than that of the rest of the prisoners. Now, as his fellow prisoners, when their hard labors were over, fell to discoursing one among another, as is usual in such as are equal sufferers, and to inquire one of another what were the occasions of their being condemned to a prison: among them the king’s cupbearer, and one that had been respected by him, was put in bonds, upon the king’s anger at him. This man was under the same bonds with Joseph, and grew more familiar with him; and upon his observing that Joseph had a better understanding than the rest had, he told him of a dream he had, and desired he would interpret its meaning, complaining that, besides the afflictions he underwent from the king, Elohim did also add to him trouble from his dreams.
5. Genesis 40:6-8 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad. 7 He asked Pharaoh’s [eunuchs]^(LXX)(MTT) who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?” 8 They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell it to me.”
6. Genesis 40:9-13 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me, 10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.” 12 Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer.
7. Genesis 40:14-15 But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”
   1. Remember and mention (also see Genesis 40:3) = זָכַר zakhar (H2142) means to recall or act upon events of the past (cf. Genesis 9:16; Deuteronomy 25:17; Numbers 11:5). This word can further mean to remember in thought as a memorial (Exodus 20:8; Numbers 15:39), to mention through speech (cf. Exodus 23:13), to act or speak on behalf of  another (cf. 1 Samuel 4:18). equivalent to the Greek word μιμνῄσκομαι mimnēskomai (G3403) which means to remind; to be recalled or to return to one’s mind, to remind one’s self of, to remember; to be recalled to mind, to be remembered, had in remembrance; to remember a thing; or be mindful of.
      1. The Hebrew word for “male” is זָכוּר zakhur (H2138) because the males of the family remember and pass down the family history through story and family name. Males also act and speak for the family.
      2. אַזְכָּרָה azkara (H234) is the memorial-offering, the portion of the food offering which is burned (cf. Leviticus 2:2; Numbers 5:26). זִכָּרוֹן zikaron (H2146) means to record or remember something through documentation (cf. Exodus 12:14; Exodus 13:9; Exodus 7:14; Malachi 3:16).
   2. Genesis 39:21-23 But [Elohim]^(LXX) was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief of the prison house. 22 The chief of the prison house committed to the hand of  Joseph all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it. 23 The chief of the prison house didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because [Elohim]^(LXX) was with him; and that which he did, [Elohim]^(LXX) made it prosper.
   3. Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in YHWH, than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in YHWH, than to put confidence in princes.
   4. Jeremiah 17:5-7 YHWH says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from YHWH. 6 For he will be like a bush in the desert, and will not see when good comes, but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in YHWH, and whose confidence is in YHWH.
8. Genesis 40:16-18 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.” 18 Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you.”
9. Genesis 40:20-22 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
10. Genesis 40:23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.
    1. Remember = זָכַר zakhar (H2142) means to recall or act upon events of the past
    2. Josephus 2.5.4. But Elohim freed Joseph from his confinement, after he had endured his bonds two years, and had received no assistance from the cupbearer, who did not remember what he had said to him formerly; and Elohim contrived this method of deliverance for him…
    3. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan But because, Joseph had withdrawn from the mercy that is above, and had put his confidence in the chief butler, he waited on the flesh. Therefore the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him, until from the Lord came the time of the end that he should be released.
    4. Jerusalem Targum Joseph left the mercy above, and the mercy beneath, and the mercy which accompanied him from his father’s house, and put his confidence in the chief butler: he trusted in the flesh, and the flesh he tasted of, even the cup of death. Neither did he remember the scripture where it is written expressly, Cursed will be the man who trusteth in the flesh, and setteth the flesh as his confidence. Blessed will be the man who trusteth in the Name of the Word of the Lord, and whose confidence is the Word of the Lord (cf. Jeremiah 17:5-7). Therefore the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him, until the time of the end came that he should be released.
    5. Forgot = שָׁכַח shakhach (H7911) means to be forgotten or hidden in the sense of covering something that was once visible and obvious.
       1. Genesis 41:30 Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt.
       2. Deuteronomy 4:23-31 Be careful, lest you forget the covenant of YHWH your Elohim, which he cut with you, and make yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which YHWH your Elohim has forbidden you. 24 For YHWH your Elohim is a devouring fire, he is El Qanna. 25 When you father sons and sons’ sons, and you have been long in the land, and then corrupt yourselves, and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in YHWH your Elohim’s sight to provoke him to anger, 26 I call the heavens and the land to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from off the land which you go over the Jordan to possess it. You will not prolong your days on it, but will utterly be destroyed. 27 YHWH will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where YHWH will lead you away. 28 There you will serve [other]^(LXX)  elohim, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 But from there you will seek YHWH your Elohim, and you will find him when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in oppression, and all these words have come on you, in the latter days you will return to YHWH your Elohim and listen to his voice. 31 For YHWH your Elohim is a merciful Elohim. He will not fail you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.
       3. Deuteronomy 8:10-20 You will eat and be full, and you will bless YHWH your Elohim for the good land which he has given you. 11 Beware lest you forget YHWH your Elohim, in not guarding his commandments, his judgments, and his statutes, which I command you today; 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built fine houses and lived [in them];^(DSS)(LXX) 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 then your heart might be lifted up, and you forget YHWH your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; 15 who led you through the great and fearful wilderness, with saraph nachash and scorpion, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who poured water for you out of the rock of flint; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers didn’t know, that he might humble you, and that he might test you, to do you good at your latter end; 17 and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.” 18 But you will remember YHWH your Elohim, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers[, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob],^(DSS) as it is today. 19 It will be, if you will forget YHWH your Elohim, and walk after other elohim, and serve them and worship them, I call [the heavens and the earth]^(LXX) to witness against you today, that you will surely perish. 20 As the nations that YHWH makes to perish before you, so you will perish, because you wouldn’t listen to YHWH your Elohim’s voice.
       4. Thus, the opposite word (Aramaic) שְׁכַח shekhach (H7912) means to find something that was forgotten or hidden or the disclosure of a covered or forgotten thing. This is an Aramaic word and only found in the Book of Ezra and Daniel.