Genesis 24:9

24:9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his solemn promise he would carry out his wishes. ¹ 

Genesis 24:49

24:49 Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way.” ² 

Genesis 24:51

24:51 Rebekah stands here before you. Take her and go so that she may become ³  the wife of your master’s son, just as the Lord has decided.” ⁴ 

Genesis 40:1

The Cupbearer and the Baker

40:1 After these things happened, the cupbearer ⁵  to the king of Egypt and the royal baker ⁶  offended ⁷  their master, the king of Egypt.

Genesis 40:7

40:7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials, who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” ⁸ 

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¹ tn Heb “and he swore to him concerning this matter.”

² tn Heb “and I will turn to the right or to the left.” The expression apparently means that Abraham’s servant will know where he should go if there is no further business here.

³ tn Following the imperatives, the jussive with the prefixed conjunction indicates purpose or result.

⁴ tn Heb “as the Lord has spoken.”

⁵ sn The Hebrew term cupbearer corresponds to the Egyptian wb’, an official (frequently a foreigner) who often became a confidant of the king and wielded political power (see K. A. Kitchen, NBD³ 248). Nehemiah held this post in Persia.

⁶ sn The baker may be the Egyptian retehti, the head of the bakers, who had privileges in the royal court.

⁷ sn The Hebrew verb translated offended here is the same one translated “sin” in 39:9. Perhaps there is an intended contrast between these officials, who deserve to be imprisoned, and Joseph, who refused to sin against God, but was thrown into prison in spite of his innocence.

⁸ tn Heb “why are your faces sad today?”