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Book of Genesis - Chapter 40 - Verse 11

40:11
And 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.

Meaning

When Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams in Genesis 41, he foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. As a result, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as second-in-command over all of Egypt. In this verse, Joseph recounts a dream where he saw himself serving Pharaoh by squeezing grapes into his cup. The cupbearer was an important position in ancient times, as they were responsible for tasting the Pharaoh's food and drink to ensure it was safe from poison. This dream foreshadows Joseph's eventual rise to power and his role in saving Egypt and his family from the famine. Joseph's actions in the dream symbolize his ability to provide for the people and his loyalty to Pharaoh. The verse demonstrates Joseph's divine gift of interpreting dreams and his willingness to serve and protect those around him.

Theological Overview

Within this verse from the book of Genesis, Joseph is recounting a dream he had to Pharaoh's cupbearer. In this dream, Joseph explains how he saw himself pressing grapes into Pharaoh's cup and giving it to him. Through a theological interpretation of this verse, we can see the symbolic significance of the actions described. Grapes are often associated with abundance and blessings in the Bible, symbolizing the goodness and favor of God. By pressing the grapes into Pharaoh's cup, it can be interpreted as Joseph being the channel through which God's blessings and favor flow to Pharaoh. The act of giving the cup to Pharaoh represents Joseph's role as a servant of God, entrusted with the responsibility of delivering divine messages and fulfilling God's plans. This verse illustrates the concept of divine intervention and the idea that God can work through individuals to bring about His will. It serves as a reminder of the power of God's providence and the importance of being faithful and obedient in carrying out His purposes.

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