Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Genesis 40:22 mean when it says Yosef's interpretation came true?
A: This verse shows the fulfillment of Yosef's (Joseph's) interpretation of the chief baker's dream (Genesis 40:18-19), where he predicted the baker would be hanged. It demonstrates that Yosef had true divine insight, as Rashi explains that his interpretations came from Hashem.
Q: Why was the chief baker hanged in Genesis 40:22?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 88:2) explains that the chief baker was punished for attempting to harm Pharaoh through his food service. The Talmud (Chagigah 4b) also suggests he was negligent in his duties. His execution proved Yosef's interpretation was accurate.
Q: How does Genesis 40:22 show Yosef's special abilities?
A: This verse proves Yosef's divine gift of dream interpretation, as Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:7) discusses how true prophets receive divine knowledge. The precise fulfillment of his prediction showed his connection to Hashem's wisdom, setting the stage for his later rise in Egypt.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 40:22 about divine justice?
A: The verse teaches that Hashem's justice is exact, as the baker received the punishment Yosef foretold. The Sforno notes that this demonstrates how wrongdoing is ultimately accounted for, even when it seems hidden. The timing also showed divine providence, as it led to Yosef's eventual release.
Q: Why is the detail about the baker's hanging important in the Torah's story?
A: As Rashi explains, this event was crucial because it later prompted Pharaoh's butler to remember Yosef's accurate interpretation (Genesis 41:9-13), leading to Yosef's release from prison. This shows how Hashem orchestrates events to fulfill His greater plan for the Jewish people.
Interpretation of the Verse
The verse states: "וְאֵת שַׂר הָאֹפִים תָּלָה כַּאֲשֶׁר פָּתַר לָהֶם יוֹסֵף" ("but he hanged the chief baker: as Yosef had interpreted to them"). This refers to the fulfillment of Yosef's interpretation of the chief baker's dream (Bereishit 40:22).
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereishit 40:22) explains that the phrase "כַּאֲשֶׁר פָּתַר לָהֶם יוֹסֵף" emphasizes the precision of Yosef's interpretation. The baker's execution was not merely a coincidence but a direct fulfillment of the divine message conveyed through Yosef. Rashi also notes that the baker was hanged, as Yosef had foretold, while the chief cupbearer was restored to his position, demonstrating the accuracy of Yosef’s prophetic insight.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 88:2) elaborates on the difference between the fates of the chief baker and the chief cupbearer. It suggests that the baker’s punishment was due to his negligence or wrongdoing, as hinted by the imagery in his dream (birds eating from the basket on his head). The Midrash teaches that dreams often reflect a person’s spiritual state, and the baker’s fate was a consequence of his actions.
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 10:4) discusses the nature of true prophecy and uses Yosef as an example of a prophet whose interpretations were divinely inspired. The fulfillment of Yosef’s words confirms his status as a צדיק ונביא (righteous prophet), whose interpretations were not mere conjecture but rooted in divine truth.
Lessons from the Verse