Genesis 40:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 40:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
Genesis 40:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 40

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head from off thee, etc.] Order thee to be beheaded; so the Targum of Jonathan and Ben Melech interpret it, “Pharaoh shall remove thy head from thy body with a sword:” and shall hang thee on a tree; his body after his head was severed from it, this should be hung upon a gallows or gibbet, and there continue: and the birds shall eat the flesh from off thee; as they usually do when bodies are thus hung up, (see <102109>2 Samuel 21:9,10); this was signified by the birds eating the bakemeats out of the uppermost basket when upon his head, as it seemed to him in his dream.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Joseph in Prison An uncomplaining patience and an unhesitating hopefulness keep the breast of Joseph in calm tranquillity. There is a God above, and that God is with him. His soul swerves not from this feeling. Meanwhile, new and distinguished prisoners are introduced into his place of confinement. Genesis 40:1-4 The chief butler and chief baker, high officials in Pharaoh’s court, come under the displeasure of their sovereign. “In the house of the captain of the guards.” It appears that this officer’s establishment contained the keep in which Joseph and these criminals were confined. “Charged Joseph with them.” As Joseph was his slave, and these were state prisoners, he appointed him to…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification