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Genesis 41:10 - Anger leads to unjust imprisonment?

Genesis 41:10 - בראשית 41:10

Hebrew Text

פַּרְעֹה קָצַף עַל־עֲבָדָיו וַיִּתֵּן אֹתִי בְּמִשְׁמַר בֵּית שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים אֹתִי וְאֵת שַׂר הָאֹפִים׃

English Translation

Par῾o was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the officer of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:

Transliteration

Paro katzaf al-avadav vayiten oti bemishmar beit sar hatabachim oti ve'et sar ha'ofim.

Hebrew Leining Text

פַּרְעֹ֖ה קָצַ֣ף עַל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אֹתִ֜י בְּמִשְׁמַ֗ר בֵּ֚ית שַׂ֣ר הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים אֹתִ֕י וְאֵ֖ת שַׂ֥ר הָאֹפִֽים׃
פַּרְעֹ֖ה קָצַ֣ף עַל־עֲבָדָ֑יו וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אֹתִ֜י בְּמִשְׁמַ֗ר בֵּ֚ית שַׂ֣ר הַטַּבָּחִ֔ים אֹתִ֕י וְאֵ֖ת שַׂ֥ר הָאֹפִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Narrative

This verse (Bereshit 40:2) appears in the story of Yosef (Joseph) in Egypt, where Pharaoh becomes angry with two of his high-ranking officials—the chief cupbearer (sar hamashkim) and the chief baker (sar ha'ofim). As a result, both are imprisoned in the house of the captain of the guard (beit sar hatabachim), where Yosef is also held. This event sets the stage for Yosef's eventual rise to power in Egypt through his interpretation of their dreams.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Pharaoh's anger was directed at both servants for separate reasons:

  • Chief Cupbearer: A fly was found in Pharaoh's cup, indicating negligence in his duties.
  • Chief Baker: A pebble was found in Pharaoh's bread, suggesting carelessness in food preparation.

Rashi further notes that the phrase "בְּמִשְׁמַר בֵּית שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים" ("in custody in the officer of the guard’s house") refers to Potiphar's house, where Yosef was already imprisoned. This suggests that Yosef was given authority over these high-ranking prisoners, as hinted in Bereshit 39:22-23.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 88:2) elaborates on the nature of their offenses:

  • The chief cupbearer was punished for failing to prevent a fly—a symbol of impurity—from entering Pharaoh's drink.
  • The chief baker was punished for a pebble, which could have harmed Pharaoh, showing a lack of vigilance.

The Midrash also connects this event to divine providence, as their imprisonment leads to Yosef's eventual meeting with Pharaoh and his rise to power.

Rambam's Perspective on Divine Justice

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:5) discusses how seemingly random events are part of Hashem's hidden guidance. The anger of Pharaoh and the imprisonment of these officials, though appearing as human actions, were orchestrated to fulfill the divine plan of bringing Yosef to a position where he could save his family and the future of Bnei Yisrael.

Symbolism in Their Roles

Some commentators note that the roles of the two officials—cupbearer (associated with wine, a symbol of joy) and baker (associated with bread, a symbol of sustenance)—represent different aspects of royal service. Their downfall underscores the precariousness of human favor and the importance of diligence in serving authority, a theme later echoed in Yosef's own rise and fall in Pharaoh's court.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 55a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing dreams and their interpretations, particularly in relation to Joseph's experiences in Egypt.
📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is mentioned in the discussion of Joseph's imprisonment and his eventual rise to power, highlighting divine providence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Pharaoh angry with his servants in Genesis 41:10?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:2), Pharaoh was angry with his servants—the chief butler and the chief baker—because they had either failed in their duties or had been involved in a plot against him. The verse refers to an earlier event (Genesis 40:1-3) where these two officials were imprisoned due to Pharaoh's displeasure with them.
Q: What is the significance of the 'officer of the guard’s house' in this verse?
A: The 'officer of the guard’s house' (שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים) refers to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard (as mentioned in Genesis 39:1). According to the Talmud (Sotah 13b), this was a high-ranking position responsible for overseeing prisoners. Yosef (Joseph) was later placed in this same prison, showing Divine Providence at work in his eventual rise to power.
Q: Why does the verse mention both the chief butler and the chief baker?
A: The verse mentions both officials—the chief butler (שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים) and the chief baker (שַׂר הָאוֹפִים)—because their dreams (later interpreted by Yosef) played a key role in Yosef’s eventual release and rise to leadership. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 88:2) explains that their imprisonment was part of Hashem’s plan to bring Yosef before Pharaoh.
Q: How does this verse connect to Yosef’s story in the Torah?
A: This verse is part of Pharaoh’s recounting of past events to Yosef (Joseph). It sets the stage for Yosef’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, which leads to his appointment as viceroy of Egypt. The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that this moment highlights how Hashem orchestrates events to fulfill His plan, as Yosef’s imprisonment ultimately leads to the salvation of his family and the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: This verse teaches us about hashgachah pratit (Divine Providence)—how seemingly negative events (like Yosef’s imprisonment) are part of a greater plan. The Talmud (Chullin 7b) states that 'a person does not prick his finger below unless it is decreed from Above,' meaning everything happens for a reason. This encourages trust in Hashem even during difficult times.