On the third day, which was the Pharaoh’s birthday: third day refers to the third day after the interpretation of the dreams. We may say, for example, “Three days later” or “After three days.” Birthday refers to the anniversary of the day on which the king was born. This may, however, be a day on which the king has chosen to celebrate his birthday. In some language areas people do not know the date of their births and do not celebrate birthdays. Translators need to be careful in translating birthday, because a literal rendering may mean that the king was giving this feast on the very day he was born. In some languages birthday is expressed as “the day when his birth came around again,” “the day he was remembering about his birth,” or “the day when the king became one year older.”

Made a feast for all his servants: for made a feast see discussion of 21.8. Servants refers to officials, officers, leaders, and people of high rank in the king’s court.

Lifted up the head: this is the third time this expression is used. See verses 13 and 19. The sense is usually understood as in verse 13 with the meaning of “release from prison” or “pardon.” However, in the case of the baker he was neither released nor pardoned, and so these terms are not appropriate in this context. A more general expression such as “brought out of prison” may be used; and this will also be appropriate in verse 13. Anchor Bible and New Jerusalem Bible say “singled out” here, which means to give special recognition to someone in a group. The expression may well mean to give the two officials a prominent position at the feast before the king revealed their fate. Revised English Bible “He had … brought up where they were all assembled” is a good model. Another model is “He brought out … and stood them up in front of all his officials.”

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 .