Joseph and the Wine Steward

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Forgotten in Prison

TANAKH

Despite Joseph's accurate interpretation of the chief cupbearer's dream, the cupbearer forgets Joseph, highlighting human ingratitude and the complexities of divine providence. The story of Joseph and the chief cupbearer is found in Genesis, the first book of the Torah, which narrates the origins of mankind and the Israelites.

He restored the chief cupbearer to his cupbearing, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand; but the chief baker he impaled—just as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not think of Joseph; he forgot him.

Genesis 40:21-23

Joseph and the Four Cups of Redemption

MIDRASH

The chief butler's dream, as interpreted by Joseph, is seen as a foreshadowing of Israel's redemption and the institution of the four cups of wine on Passover. The early medieval midrash Bereshit Rabbah, a talmudic-era midrashic work on the book of Genesis, connects Joseph's interpretation of dreams to the future redemption of Israel and the four expressions of redemption.

“The chief butler related his dream to Joseph, and said to him: In my dream, behold, a vine was before me” (Genesis 40:9).
“And on the vine were three tendrils, and it was as though it was budding; its blossoms emerged, and its clusters produced ripe grapes” (Genesis 40:10).
“The chief butler related…behold, a vine was before me” – this is Israel, as it is stated: “You transported a vine from Egypt” (Psalms 80:9). “And on the vine were three tendrils” – Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. “It was as though it was budding” – the redemption of Israel was budding…

Bereshit Rabbah 88:5

The Consequence of Reliance

MIDRASH

Joseph's additional two years in prison were a direct consequence of his lack of trust in God and his reliance on the chief butler to secure his release. The Midrash Tanchuma, an early medieval collection of midrash, delves into the story of Joseph in prison, emphasizing the importance of placing trust in God.

Since he was sentenced to remain in prison for ten years, why were two additional years added? The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You abandoned your trust in Me and placed your trust in the chief butler, whom you implored twice to remember you: That thou wouldst remember me and make mention of me unto Pharaoh (Gen. 40:14). Therefore, you shall be forgotten in prison for two additional years. Thus it is written: And it came to pass at the end of two years (ibid. 41:1), that is, two years after the butler had departed from prison.

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayeshev 9:6

The Anguish of Joseph

COMMENTARY

In the 18th-century commentary Or HaChaim, Joseph's extended imprisonment is interpreted as a reflection of the Jewish people's experience of exile. The commentary delves into themes of faith and divine providence, explaining that Joseph's additional two years in prison—due to his request for the cupbearer to remember him—symbolize a period of suffering and delay that mirrors the broader experience of exile.

The word ויהי also reflects the mental anguish Joseph endured during the two years after the chief butler was released from jail. Originally, it had been intended that Joseph should be released at that time (Bereshit Rabbah 89,2). He had to endure two additional years in jail because he had put his trust in a human being. The Midrash there understands the words ויהי מקץ as indicating an end to darkness. קץ is also a word which describes the evil urge, i.e. קץ כל בשר…

Or HaChaim on Genesis 41:1:3

The Power of Dream Interpretation

TALMUD

The principle that dreams are influenced by the interpretation of the dreamer is illustrated by Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh’s ministers' dreams. The Babylonian Talmud, in tractate Berakhot, discusses this concept, noting that this principle holds true only if the interpretation is applicable to the dream.

The Gemara asks: Is that to say that all dreams follow the mouth is a verse cited as corroboration? The Gemara responds: Yes, and in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Elazar, as Rabbi Elazar said: From where is it derived that all dreams follow the mouth of the interpreter? As it is stated in the story of the dreams of Pharaoh’s two ministers. The butler said to Pharaoh: “And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was” (Genesis 41:13). Rava said…

Berakhot 55b:17

Divine Providence in Joseph's Rise

SECOND TEMPLE

Joseph's rise to power in Egypt is attributed to divine intervention rather than human actions. Philo of Alexandria, a first-century Jewish philosopher, explores the providence of God in the story of Joseph, emphasizing the divine orchestration behind his journey from prison to power.

[99] But, when he was reconciled to his master, the chief butler forgot him who had predicted the reconciliation and alleviated all the misfortunes which befell him; perhaps because the ungrateful are always forgetful of their benefactors, perhaps also in the providence of God Who willed that the happy events which befell the youth should be due to God rather than to man.

On Joseph 19:1

Trust in God Alone

MIDRASH

Joseph's additional two years in prison were a direct consequence of his misplaced trust in the chief butler instead of relying solely on God. Louis Ginzberg’s early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, elaborates on the biblical story of Joseph, providing deeper narrative details and moral lessons.

Properly speaking, Joseph should have gone out free from his dungeon on the same day as the butler. He had been there ten years by that time, and had made amends for the slander he had uttered against his ten brethren. However, he remained in prison two years longer. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord," but Joseph had put his confidence in flesh and blood. He had prayed the chief butler to have him in remembrance when it should be well with him, and make mention of him unto Pharaoh, and the butler forgot his promise…

Legends of the Jews 2:1:150

The Suspense of Joseph's Fate

COMMENTARY

The narrative break at the end of Vayeshev creates a calculated suspense, leaving readers eager to learn Joseph's fate. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his "Covenant and Conversation" series, explores the emotional impact and anticipation generated by this cliffhanger.

The chief steward fails to do so. The last line of Vayeshev underlines the point by repeating it: “The chief steward, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” On that dispiriting note, Vayeshev ends, and in the days before printing and the widespread availability of books, those who did not know the story had to wait a full week before discovering what happens next. The break is calculated to maximise suspense.

Covenant and Conversation; Genesis; The Book of the Beginnings, Miketz, Man Proposes, God Disposes 10

The Fates of the Wine Steward and the Baker

COMMENTARY

The specific reasons for the punishments of Pharaoh's wine steward and baker reveal the nuances of justice in the biblical narrative. Rabbeinu Bahya, a medieval Jewish commentator, delves into the details of the offenses committed by the wine steward and baker, explaining the accidental nature of the wine steward's crime versus the negligence of the baker.

חטאו שר המשקה מלך מצרים והאופה, “The chief butler of the king of Egypt and the baker sinned.” The Torah does not specify their sins, but our sages in Bereshit Rabbah 88,2 state that the Chief butler was guilty of allowing a fly to fall into the cup of Pharaoh, whereas the baker was guilty of a pebble which was found inside one of the rolls served to Pharaoh This is why Pharaoh was angry at both of them. The pebble in the roll was a clear case of negligence on the part of the baker, and this is why he was hanged…

Rabbeinu Bahya, Bereshit 40:1:2

Joseph's Promotion Sabotage Revealed

COMMENTARY

The chief cupbearer used Joseph's youth and status as a slave to delay mentioning him to Pharaoh, thus preventing Joseph's promotion. Chizkuni, a 13th-century Torah commentary, provides insights into the biblical narrative, often addressing questions and difficulties.

נער עברי, עבד, “a Hebrew lad, a slave;” the chief of the cupbearers was afraid that he might become the cause of Joseph being promoted to an elevated status if he succeeded in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. Therefore, he mentioned two adjectives that should militate against any promotion for him, a) his youth and inexperience, b) his status as a slave. An alternate explanation: he wanted to protect himself against the accusation why he had not come forward before with the information he revealed now. This is why he explained that Joseph had two strikes against him; 1) youth, 2) status as slave…

Chizkuni, Genesis 41:12:1

Mystical Dimensions of Forgetfulness and Remembrance

KABBALAH

The Zohar delves into the mystical dimensions of forgetfulness and remembrance, linking them to spiritual states and the concept of darkness. This passage from the Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, offers a deep mystical interpretation of the story of Joseph and the Wine Steward from the Book of Genesis.

and therefore the region of forgetfulness placed itself before him. Hence the Scripture, after saying, “Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph” (Ibid. 23), adds the words “but forgot him”, alluding to the region of forgetfulness, which is identical with the end of the side of darkness.’ AT THE END OF TWO FULL YEARS. The two years were symbolic of the two grades, the grade of forgetfulness and the grade of remembrance to which it gave place

Zohar, Miketz 1:8

Yosef's Trial of Faith

COMMENTARY

Yosef's reliance on human intervention rather than divine providence is a critical lesson in faith and trust. Rabbi Francis Nataf's analysis of Yosef's interaction with Pharaoh's wine steward offers a fresh perspective on this biblical episode.

With this in mind, we can understand an otherwise difficult statement of the rabbis chastising Yosef for telling Pharaoh’s wine steward to speak well of him to Pharaoh. Ostensibly, Yosef was simply doing what was expected and using all the means at his disposal to ameliorate his situation. The problem instead lay in how Yosef framed the situation. What was he thinking when he asked the steward to remember him to Pharaoh? It is clear that if he could claim a favor from Pharaoh’s servant, the latter would simply become a ticket out of jail…

Redeeming Relevance; Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 6 Amalek versus Yehoshua 37

The Immediacy of Joseph's Prophecy

COMMENTARY

Joseph's interpretation of the cupbearer's dream highlights the immediacy of the prophecy, predicting events to unfold within three days. Radak, a medieval Jewish commentator, provides linguistic and exegetical insights into Genesis 40:12, emphasizing the rapid development of the vine's blossoms into ripe grapes.

שלשת ימים, when reflecting on the meaning of the dream Joseph realised that whatever it presaged would occur very soon. He surmised this from the speed with which the blossom on the vine in the dream had turned into fully ripened grapes and wine. He therefore interpreted the number 3 which occurred in the dream as not referring to years or months but to days.

Radak on Genesis 40:12:1

Divine Orchestration and Personal Responsibility

COMMENTARY

The story of Joseph and the cupbearer illustrates both divine intervention and the significance of personal responsibility. The Tze'enah Ure'enah recounts how the cupbearer's accidental offense led to Joseph's imprisonment and eventual release, emphasizing the complex interplay between divine will and individual actions.

“Some time later, the cupbearer of the king gave offense” [40:1]. As a result of Potiphar’s wife, all the people spoke about Joseph. The Holy One caused the nobles of the king to do bad things to the king, so the people would forget about talking about Joseph. The king’s cupbearer gave him a beaker of wine and the king had him put in prison. However, afterwards the king let him go free, since the noble was not responsible that a fly fell into it. Who can protect themselves from this…

Tze'enah Ure'enah, Vayeshev 116

Divine Timing in Joseph's Life

MIDRASH

Joseph's journey from imprisonment to power was meticulously orchestrated by divine timing, even involving the chief cupbearer's forgetfulness. The Midrash Tanchuma, an early medieval collection of midrash, offers a profound exploration of Joseph's story, emphasizing the divine providence that guided his life events.

What is written above on the matter (in Gen. 40:23): YET THE CHIEF CUPBEARER DID NOT REMEMBER JOSEPH. R. Berekhyah the Priest said: YET < THE CHIEF CUPBEARER > DID NOT REMEMBER. He had been remembered, and he was married. But (ibid.) HE FORGOT HIM. He had said outside: I will go and tell Pharaoh about him. Immediately: HE FORGOT HIM. Until the proper time had arrived for him to leave, the Holy One brought false charges against him in order to slander him…

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Miketz 3:1

The Three Branches and the Patriarchs

TARGUM

The three branches in the chief butler's dream symbolize the three patriarchs and the future enslavement and deliverance of their descendants in Egypt. The Targum Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, provides a symbolic interpretation of Joseph's interpretation of the chief butler's dream.

And Joseph said to him, This is the end of the interpretations of the dream. The three branches are the three Fathers of the world, Abraham, Izhak, and Jakob, the children of whose sons are to be enslaved in Mizraim in clay and brick (work,) and in all labour of the face of the field: but afterwards shall the be delivered by the hand of three shepherds. As thou hast said, I took the grapes and expressed them into Pharoh's cup, and gave the cup Into Pharoh's hand: It is the vial of wrath which Paroh (himself) is to drink at the last…

Targum Jonathan on Genesis 40:12

A Plea for Remembrance

COMMENTARY

Joseph's plea to the wine steward is a profound example of seeking justice and mercy in the face of wrongful imprisonment. Ramban, a medieval Jewish scholar, provides a detailed exegesis on Genesis 40:14, exploring both the plain meaning and deeper mystical insights of Joseph's request.

BUT HAVE ME IN THY REMEMBRANCE. “If you will remember me when it will be well with you, I now pray for the kindness and truth you will do to me by making mention of me to Pharaoh.” And if the word na is to be understood as expressing supplication, the sense of the verse is: “If you will remember me and would, in your mercy, do me a kindness, I beg that you remember me to Pharaoh.”
The sense of the word itcha (with thee) is that “you should remember to show me mercy in the very same way that it has been shown to you, i.e., that you went out from prison…

Ramban on Genesis 40:14:1

Faith and Endurance in Prison

SECOND TEMPLE

Joseph's unwavering faith in God and his silent endurance of suffering ultimately lead to his favorable treatment in prison. In his first-century historical work, Josephus recounts the story of Joseph and the wine steward, highlighting Joseph's faith and resilience.

What Things Befell Joseph In Prison.
1. Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to God, 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 God, 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…

The Antiquities of the Jews 2:5:1

Joseph interpreting dreams, Antonio Balestra (1666–1740)

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