King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Yosef pleased him as he served him, and his master appointed him manager of his household; he entrusted all his possessions to Yosef.
Berean Standard Bible:
Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.
American Standard Version:
And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Joseph{H3130} found{H4672} grace{H2580} in his sight{H5869}, and he served{H8334} him: and he made him overseer{H6485} over his house{H1004}, and all that he had{H3426} he put{H5414} into his hand{H3027}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 39:21
- But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Genesis 39:22
- And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that [were] in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer [of it].
Genesis 39:8
- But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
Genesis 24:2
- And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
Proverbs 27:18
- ¶ Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Acts 20:28
- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Genesis 19:19
- Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
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Commentary for Genesis 39:4
Genesis 39:4 is part of the story of Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (also known as Israel), from the book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. The verse occurs within the larger narrative of Joseph's experiences in Egypt, where he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Favor and Providence:** Despite being a slave, Joseph finds favor with his master, Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. This favor, or "grace," is a recurring theme in Joseph's life, suggesting that his successes are not merely by chance but are part of a divine plan.
2. **Integrity and Success:** Joseph's character and diligence lead to his rapid promotion. His story illustrates the themes of integrity, hard work, and the rewards that come with them.
3. **God's Sovereignty Over Human Affairs:** Joseph's rise to power in Potiphar's household demonstrates that God's purposes can be worked out even in difficult circumstances and through imperfect human systems.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events of Genesis, including Joseph's story, are traditionally dated to the late second millennium BCE, around the time of the establishment of the Israelite nation.
- **Setting:** Joseph is in Egypt, which during this period was a powerful nation with a complex society, advanced administration, and a class of wealthy officials like Potiphar.
- **Slavery:** Slavery was a common practice in the ancient world, and Joseph's experience reflects the reality of the time. Slaves could be acquired through various means, including war, debt, or, as in Joseph's case, trafficking.
- **Joseph's Role:** As an overseer, Joseph would have been responsible for managing Potiphar's entire estate, which indicates a significant level of trust and responsibility. This position would have been one of influence and authority within the household.
In summary, Genesis 39:4 reflects the themes of divine favor, integrity leading to success, and God's sovereignty, set against the backdrop of ancient Egyptian society, where slavery was an established institution. Joseph's rise within Potiphar's household sets the stage for the subsequent events that will lead him to an even more prominent role in Egypt.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H4672
There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָצָא
Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. - Strong's Number: H2580
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵן
Transliteration: chên
Pronunciation: khane
Description: from חָנַן; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty); favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H8334
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁרַת
Transliteration: shârath
Pronunciation: shaw-rath'
Description: a primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to; minister (unto), (do) serve(-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on. - Strong's Number: H6485
There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּקַד
Transliteration: pâqad
Pronunciation: paw-kad'
Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H3426
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵשׁ
Transliteration: yêsh
Pronunciation: yaysh
Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.