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Genesis 40:20 - Pharaoh's birthday fate reversal

Genesis 40:20 - בראשית 40:20

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי יוֹם הֻלֶּדֶת אֶת־פַּרְעֹה וַיַּעַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּה לְכָל־עֲבָדָיו וַיִּשָּׂא אֶת־רֹאשׁ שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים וְאֶת־רֹאשׁ שַׂר הָאֹפִים בְּתוֹךְ עֲבָדָיו׃

English Translation

And it came to pass on the third day, which was Par῾o’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

Transliteration

Vayehi bayom hashlishi yom huledet et-Paroh vayaas mishteh l'khol-avadav vayisa et-rosh sar hamashkim v'et-rosh sar ha'ofim b'toch avadav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֣י <b>׀</b> בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י י֚וֹם הֻלֶּ֣דֶת אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה לְכׇל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּשָּׂ֞א אֶת־רֹ֣אשׁ <b>׀</b> שַׂ֣ר הַמַּשְׁקִ֗ים וְאֶת־רֹ֛אשׁ שַׂ֥ר הָאֹפִ֖ים בְּת֥וֹךְ עֲבָדָֽיו׃
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י י֚וֹם הֻלֶּ֣דֶת אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה לְכׇל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּשָּׂ֞א אֶת־רֹ֣אשׁ ׀ שַׂ֣ר הַמַּשְׁקִ֗ים וְאֶת־רֹ֛אשׁ שַׂ֥ר הָאֹפִ֖ים בְּת֥וֹךְ עֲבָדָֽיו׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of Pharaoh's Birthday

The verse describes Pharaoh celebrating his birthday with a feast for his servants. According to Rashi (Bereshit 40:20), the phrase "יוֹם הֻלֶּדֶת אֶת־פַּרְעֹה" ("Pharaoh’s birthday") refers to the day of his coronation, as kings in ancient times would mark their ascension to the throne as a "birth" into kingship. This interpretation aligns with the common practice in Tanach where a king’s reign is considered a new beginning (see Yechezkel 20:33).

The Third Day and Divine Timing

The mention of "בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי" ("the third day") is significant. The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeishev 8) notes that Hashem often brings salvation or judgment on the third day, as seen with Yitzchak’s binding (Bereshit 22:4) and the giving of the Torah (Shemot 19:16). Here, it foreshadows the resolution of Yosef’s interpretation of the dreams—a turning point in his eventual rise to power.

The Lifting of the Heads

The phrase "וַיִּשָּׂא אֶת־רֹאשׁ" ("he lifted up the head") is interpreted in two ways by the commentators:

  • Rashi explains that Pharaoh "remembered" his servants—the chief butler and baker—on this day, leading to their judgment.
  • Ramban (Bereshit 40:20) suggests a deeper meaning: Pharaoh "elevated" the butler by restoring him, while "lifting the head" of the baker meant execution—a euphemism for beheading, as seen in other biblical usages (e.g., Shmuel II 16:9).

Symbolism of the Butler and Baker

The Malbim observes that the butler (who served wine, a symbol of joy) and the baker (who provided bread, a basic necessity) represent two aspects of human dependence—material sustenance and spiritual elevation. Their fates reflect divine justice: the butler, who acknowledged Yosef’s wisdom, was spared, while the baker, who did not, faced punishment.

Pharaoh’s Feast and Yosef’s Future

The Kli Yakar notes that this event was orchestrated by Hashem to set the stage for Yosef’s eventual release and rise to power. The butler’s restoration would later lead to Yosef’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, fulfilling the divine plan to bring Bnei Yisrael to Egypt (Bereshit 15:13).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Pharaoh lift up the heads of the chief butler and baker on his birthday?
A: According to Rashi, Pharaoh lifted up their heads to either restore them to their positions (in the case of the butler) or to execute them (in the case of the baker). This was based on the interpretation of their dreams by Yosef (Joseph), which came true on Pharaoh's birthday.
Q: What is the significance of Pharaoh's birthday in this verse?
A: The Midrash explains that kings in ancient times would often make important decisions or display their power on their birthdays. Here, Pharaoh used his birthday as an occasion to judge his servants, fulfilling the dreams interpreted by Yosef (Joseph).
Q: Why does the verse mention the 'third day'?
A: The 'third day' refers to the time after Yosef (Joseph) interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker. Rashi explains that this was the day Pharaoh chose to act on their fates, showing that divine timing was at work in fulfilling the interpretations.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse about dreams and interpretations?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 55b) teaches that dreams follow their interpretation, meaning that the way a dream is understood can influence its outcome. Here, Yosef's (Joseph's) interpretations came true, showing the power of divine wisdom in understanding dreams.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of Yosef (Joseph)?
A: This event was a turning point for Yosef (Joseph), as the chief butler—who was restored—later remembered him when Pharaoh had troubling dreams. This led to Yosef's rise to power in Egypt, showing how Hashem orchestrates events for a greater purpose (Rambam, Hilchot Dei'ot).