40:8 dreams. See notes 20:3 and 37:9. The three sets of dreams, to Joseph (37:5–11), to the cupbearer and baker (ch. 40), and to Pharaoh (ch. 41), show God’s sovereign control (41:28).

no one to interpret. Dreams were valued in the ancient Near East as a means of discerning the future; professional dream interpreters were often employed by royal courts.

interpretations belong to God. Joseph corrects the pagan beliefs of the Egyptian prisoners by acknowledging that God alone is the source of reliable interpretation, and that He bestows the gift of interpretation as He pleases (41:16; Dan. 2:24–49).

tell them to me. Joseph recognized himself as a prophet (37:5–11).