Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Genesis 40:1-3

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We are into a new chapter as of today. Chapter 40 is our new home for a few weeks. This is the story of Joseph, or rather the third part of the story which takes place in Egypt (Mitsra'im).

We saw how Joseph was blessed by God and drew scrutiny from his brothers who sold him into slavery. Then we saw Joseph's rise to be the keeper of his master's household, followed by an accusation of attempted rape. Now we are looking at his rising to new status as the keeper of the prison where he is being held.

The story now continues with the unstated offenses committed by the chief cupbearer and chief baker who served the king of Egypt. So Pharaoh was angry with these two and sent them to jail. The same jail where Joseph was being held. Joseph is also the keeper of said prison. This sets us up for the famous interpretation of dreams for which Joseph is known.

I find it strange that the text makes a distinction between the king of Egypt and the Pharaoh. The text in Hebrew says that they "did wrong against the king of Egypt." and later that , "Pharaoh was angry with his two officials." It says clearly that these officials belonged to the king and again to the Pharaoh.

Who will take care of the former officials of Pharaoh as they arrive in prison?

Today's reading

English

Sometime after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined.

Hebrew

The story continues with Joseph speaking to...

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Shabbat Shalom