Jubilees / Chapter 40

Jubilees 40

9 verses • Ge'ez (Ethiopic)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Joseph interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker. Two years later, Pharaoh dreams. Joseph interprets and is elevated to rule over Egypt.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

Jubilees compresses Genesis 40-41 into a brief account, focusing on providential pattern rather than narrative drama.

Translation Friction

The brevity is striking compared to Genesis's extensive court scene.

Connections

Genesis 40:1-41:57; Daniel 2 (parallel dream-interpretation narrative); Psalm 105:16-22.

Jubilees 40:1

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The king of Egypt's chief cupbearer and chief baker offended the king. He put them in custody in the prison where Joseph was confined.

REF And the chief butler and baker offended the king and were put in ward.

Jubilees 40:2

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to attend them, and he served in their presence.

REF And Joseph was appointed to serve them.

Jubilees 40:3

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Both men dreamed on the same night and told their dreams to Joseph.

REF And they both dreamed and told their dreams to Joseph.

Jubilees 40:4

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Things happened exactly as Joseph interpreted: Pharaoh restored the cupbearer and executed the baker.

REF And as he interpreted, so it befell them.

Jubilees 40:5

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

But the chief cupbearer forgot Joseph in prison until Pharaoh dreamed two dreams in a single night and no one could interpret them.

REF But the butler forgot Joseph, until Pharaoh dreamed two dreams.

Jubilees 40:6

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Then the cupbearer remembered Joseph. He spoke about him to the king, and Joseph was brought from prison.

REF And then the butler remembered Joseph.

Jubilees 40:7

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

Joseph told Pharaoh: Seven years of abundance are coming, followed by seven years of famine — the likes of which the land has never seen.

REF And Joseph said: 'Seven years of plenty, then seven of famine.'

Jubilees 40:8

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

He advised Pharaoh to appoint overseers throughout Egypt to store food during the years of plenty. Pharaoh was pleased.

REF And he commanded Pharaoh to appoint overseers.

Jubilees 40:9

Ge'ez text per Charles/VanderKam editions

The king placed Joseph over all the land of Egypt. He became ruler over all officials and over the entire land. Everything was done according to Joseph's word, for the Lord was with him.

REF And the king set Joseph over all the land of Egypt.