But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had described to them in his interpretation.
Here is, 1. The verifying of Joseph's interpretation of the dreams, on the very day prefixed. The chief butler and baker were both advanced, one to his office, the other to the gallows, and both at the three days' end. Note, Very great changes, both for the better and for the worse, often happen in a very little time, so sudden are the revolutions of the wheel of nature.
Commenting on Genesis 40:20-23
But he hanged the chief baker,.... The is, he ordered him to be hanged; because, as the same Targum says, he consulted to kill him (Pharaoh): as Joseph had interpreted to them; the events as to both answered to the interpretation Joseph had given of their several dreams.
THE BAKER'S DREAM. (Gen 40:16-23) I had three white baskets--The circumstances mentioned exactly describe his duties, which, notwithstanding numerous assistants, he performed with his own hands. white--literally, "full of holes"; that is, wicker baskets. The meats were carried to table upon the head in three baskets, one piled upon the other; and in the uppermost, the bakemeats.
Commenting on Genesis 40:16-23