40:1 After these things happened, the cupbearer 1 to the king of Egypt and the royal baker 2 offended 3 their master, the king of Egypt.
50:4 When the days of mourning 4 had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s royal court, 5 “If I have found favor in your sight, please say to Pharaoh, 6
1 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.
2 sn The baker may be the Egyptian retehti, the head of the bakers, who had privileges in the royal court.
3 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.
4 tn Heb “weeping.”
5 tn Heb “the house of Pharaoh.”
6 tn Heb “in the ears of Pharaoh.”