What does Genesis 40:15 mean?

The former cupbearer to Pharaoh, Egypt's king, will be restored to his office in three days. This is the interpretation Joseph has given the jailed man, in response to the cupbearer's dream (Genesis 40:9–13). Since this was revealed to him by God, Joseph has no doubt it will happen. He is so confident, in fact, that he pleads with the cupbearer to put in a good word for him to Pharaoh when the time is right, to get him out of prison (Genesis 40:14).

For the first time, we hear Joseph express how he feels about his captivity. He describes himself as one stolen out of the land of the Hebrews. Taking free men captive and selling them as slaves, even in that era, was seen as unfair treatment and would later be made a crime punishable by death under God's Law (Exodus 21:16). Making matters worse, Joseph wasn't so much "stolen" as sold by his own brothers, in an act of deep betrayal (Genesis 37:26–28).

In addition, Joseph wants the cupbearer to understand—and to communicate to Pharaoh—that he is not guilty of the attempted rape of his master's wife (Genesis 39:8–15). He does not deserve his imprisonment. This is not a faithless act on Joseph's part; God does not demand His people do literally nothing to improve their lives. Rather, Joseph is taking an excellent opportunity to plead his case. As it happens, his plea will work—but not for at least two more years (Genesis 41:1, 9).