בראשית, פרק מ׳, פסוק כ״א

The restoration of the chief cupbearer to his former royal post, especially while his counterpart faces execution, naturally raises questions about the reasoning behind his pardon. Several perspectives attempt to explain the motives for his release. One approach suggests that the decision was the result of a formal legal investigation. Through this inquiry, Pharaoh concluded that the cupbearer was fundamentally innocent and had always performed his duties properly [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The specific offense that led to his imprisonment was deemed accidental and entirely out of his control, such as the unavoidable mishap of a fly falling into a drink [חזקוני]. Alongside this legal acquittal, Pharaoh was also driven by personal sentiment. He simply missed the cupbearer, wishing to enjoy his company and benefit from his dedicated service once again [העמק דבר].

In contrast to these practical explanations, another perspective argues that the cupbearer's release was not the result of ordinary justice or personal preference at all. Rather, the entire sequence of events was deliberately orchestrated by God. The true purpose of the pardon was to validate the dream interpretation provided by Joseph. By ensuring the events unfolded exactly as foretold, God was actively laying the groundwork for Joseph's eventual rise to leadership [מלבי״ם].