And it came to passe, as he interpreted to vs, so it was; mee he restored vnto mine office, and him he hanged. Genesis 41:13 (KJV)
The verse is situated within the larger narrative of Genesis where Joseph, the son of Jacob, finds himself in Egypt and rises to prominence because of his God‑given ability to interpret dreams. At this point Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is troubled by a dream that none of his wise men or magicians can explain. The chief cupbearer, remembering how Joseph accurately interpreted his own dream while they were both imprisoned, brings Joseph’s name before Pharaoh. Pharaoh then summons Joseph from the prison to interpret the royal dream.
Joseph’s interpretation reveals a pattern of seven years of abundant harvest followed by seven years of severe famine. He also advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise and discerning administrator to collect and store food during the years of plenty so that the nation will be prepared for the coming scarcity. This counsel proves pivotal for Egypt’s survival.
In Genesis 41:13 the chief cupbearer recounts the outcome of Joseph’s earlier interpretation: “And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.” The cupbearer confirms that his own dream was fulfilled—he was restored to his former position in Pharaoh’s court—while the chief baker, whose dream foretold execution, was indeed hanged. A parallel wording appears in the text: “And the interpretation thereof was, That within three days the butler shall be restored unto his office, and the baker shall be hanged.”
These verses highlight Joseph’s remarkable accuracy and the reliability of his divine insight. They also underscore a broader theological principle: faithfulness and trustworthiness in one’s duties are rewarded, whereas unfaithfulness leads to judgment. The restoration of the cupbearer and the execution of the baker serve as tangible demonstrations of God’s sovereign control over history and the fulfillment of prophetic words. The passage invites readers to reflect on the importance of integrity, the certainty of God’s promises, and the necessity of wise stewardship in times of plenty and scarcity alike.
