Genesis 40 is the account of Joseph's encounter with two fellow prisoners in the Egyptian dungeon where he was being held. While Joseph was imprisoned on false charges, Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker were thrown into the same prison after they had offended their master. The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to serve them during their imprisonment.

One morning, Joseph noticed that both men appeared troubled. When he asked about their condition, they explained that they had each experienced dreams the previous night but had no one to interpret their meaning. Joseph responded with faith, telling them that interpretations belong to God, and he asked them to share their dreams with him.

The chief cupbearer spoke first, describing his dream of a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and produced ripe grapes. In the dream, he had squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh's cup and placed it in Pharaoh's hand. Joseph interpreted this as a favorable sign, explaining that the three branches represented three days, and that within three days Pharaoh would restore the cupbearer to his former position.

Next, the chief baker shared his own dream. He had seen three white baskets on his head, with the top basket containing baked goods for Pharaoh. But birds were eating from it. Joseph delivered a much grimmer interpretation, explaining that the three baskets also represented three days, but that within this time Pharaoh would execute the baker and hang his body on a pole, where birds would eat his flesh.

Joseph made a personal appeal to the cupbearer, asking him to remember Joseph's kindness and mention his case to Pharaoh when he was restored. Joseph emphasized his innocence, explaining that he had been kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews and had done nothing in Egypt to deserve imprisonment.

Three days later, on Pharaoh's birthday, both interpretations came to pass exactly as Joseph had predicted. Pharaoh restored the cupbearer to his position but executed the baker. However, despite Joseph's request and the accuracy of his interpretation, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph and did not mention him to Pharaoh, leaving Joseph to remain in prison.