The answer is: The butler and the baker

Gen 40:9-19

Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams while in prison is one of the many colorful stories woven into the fabric of Genesis. In Genesis 40, Joseph finds himself amid an unusual situation: he’s surrounded by the butler (the cupbearer) and the baker of Pharaoh, who were both thrown behind bars. Despite his own troubles, Joseph shows an incredible ability to empathize and engage with his fellow prisoners.

What’s fascinating here is that the cupbearer and the baker had crucial jobs in Pharaoh's kitchen, effectively serving him daily. In dream interpretation, Egypt had a rich tradition—dreams were seen as messages from the divine or omens critical to understanding the future. Joseph's interpretations provided him a silver lining to his own predicament; through them, we see his rising ability and purpose coming out even before he makes it to the throne.

Interestingly, the butler's dream about vines and grapes symbolizes renewal and restoration, while the baker's involves baskets and birds and ends on a much darker note. This duality emphasizes a fundamental theme in many biblical narratives: the juxtaposition of hope and despair. The resolutions bring forth the idea that the trials we face prepare us for great promises ahead, rooting believers in hope.

Plus, there's a striking echo of this dream-interpreting motif in Daniel (another figure imprisoned for his wisdom). Both Joseph and Daniel show that understanding messages beyond the surface can transcend personal suffering and has profound implications on the broader community.