Some time after this marks a transition to the introduction of the king’s chief butler and baker, who are also arrested and put in prison. This event brings Joseph into contact with two of the king’s officials and lays the ground for the dream interpretations that eventually bring Joseph to leadership in Egypt.

The transition expression does not refer to a particular event in verses 20-23 but to that report in general. Since verses 1-4 continue the story of Joseph in prison, we may translate, for example, “After some time,” “A while later,” “Time went on and then one day,” or “One day.”

Butler translates a word whose literal sense is “drink-giver.” The term is the title of an official whose job it was to prepare and give drinks to the king. See verse 11. This person was in a position to influence the king’s decisions, as seen in Neh 1.11; 2.1-9. For translation suggestions see verse 2.

For baker see verse 2.

Offended their lord the king of Egypt: offended translates the verb “to sin,” but that meaning is not suitable in this context. Most modern versions, like Good News Translation, say “offended”; that is, the two men did something that displeased or angered the king. In 41.9 the butler refers to a similar offense, namely his forgetfulness, as “my faults.” If a general verb meaning “offend” is not available, it may be possible to say, for example, “did something that was not right,” “made a bad mistake,” or “did something the king didn’t like.” Their lord the king is sometimes expressed “their chief who was the king of Egypt.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .