The chief baker and chief butler of the king had been cast into prison for some offense, and they came under Joseph's charge. One morning, observing that they appeared very sad, he kindly inquired the cause and was told that each had had a remarkable dream, of which they were anxious to learn the significance. "Do not interpretations belong to God?" said Joseph, "tell me them, I pray you." As each related his dream, Joseph made known its import: In three days the butler was to be reinstated in his position, and give the cup into Pharaoh's hand as before, but the chief baker would be put to death by the king's command. In both cases the event occurred as foretold.

Kongens overbager og overmundskænk var blevet kastet i fængsel for en eller anden forseelse, og de blev betroet i Josefs varetægt. En morgen, da han så, at de var særlig bedrøvede, spurgte han venligt om grunden og fik at vide, at de havde haft en mærkelig drøm, hvis betydning de var ivrige efter at få at vide. Josef sagde: "Er det ikke Guds sag at tyde drømme? Fortæl mig det da!" Da de havde fortalt deres drøm, sagde Josef, hvad de betød: Tre dage efter ville overmundskænken blive genindsat i sit embede og række Farao bægeret som før; men overbageren ville blive henrettet på kongens befaling. I begge tilfælde gik det, som Josef havde sagt.