Who was the cupbearer restored by Pharaoh?

Answer Details

In Genesis 40, two of Pharaoh's officials were imprisoned alongside Joseph: the chief cupbearer (also called the chief butler) and the chief baker. Both men had dreams on the same night, and Joseph interpreted their dreams.

Joseph told the chief cupbearer that his dream meant he would be restored to his position within three days. The chief baker's dream, however, foretold his execution. Three days later, on Pharaoh's birthday, both interpretations came true: the chief butler (cupbearer) was restored to his position of serving wine to Pharaoh, while the baker was hanged.

The question asks specifically about the cupbearer who was restored by Pharaoh. The chief butler is the correct answer because "cupbearer" and "chief butler" refer to the same person. Joseph was the one who interpreted the dreams but was not the cupbearer himself. Benjamin was Joseph's younger brother and is not part of this narrative. The baker was the other imprisoned official, but he was executed, not restored.

Examination tip: Remember the contrast in Genesis 40: the cupbearer (butler) was restored; the baker was executed. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him before Pharaoh, but the cupbearer forgot until Pharaoh himself had troubling dreams (Genesis 41).