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Genesis 39

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Joseph Rises in Potiphar's House 1–6

1
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither. ​
2
And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ​
3
And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4
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.
5
And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field. ​
6
And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was comely, and well-favored. ​

Joseph Resists Temptation 7–18

7
And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8
But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand:
9
he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? ​
10
And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11
And it came to pass about this time, that he went into the house to do his work; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. ​
13
And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14
that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us: he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
15
and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled, and got him out.
16
And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.
17
And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18
and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.

Joseph Is Imprisoned and Blessed 19–23

19
And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
20
And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. ​
21
But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. ​
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.
23
The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because Jehovah was with him; and that which he did, Jehovah made it to prosper. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Genesis 39

Verse 1

brought down to Egypt — The story returns to Joseph after ch. 38. God later told Jacob, 'fear not to go down into Egypt… I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again' (Gen 46:3–4). Joseph goes first, bought by 'Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard'.

Verse 2

the LORD was with Joseph — The words return in vv.3, 21 and 23. 'Prosperous' is tsalach, to succeed, the verb of vv.3 and 23, and used in Genesis also of the servant's journey for Isaac's wife (Gen 24:21). Stephen says of these years, 'God was with him' (Acts 7:9).

Verse 5

for Joseph's sake — Potiphar 'made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had', and the blessing of the LORD falls on the Egyptian's house and field together. Laban had said the same of Jacob: 'the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake' (Gen 30:27). The promise to Abraham was 'I will bless them that bless thee' (Gen 12:3).

Verse 6

a goodly person, and well favoured — The Hebrew is the pair used of Joseph's mother: 'Rachel was beautiful and well favoured' (Gen 29:17). Potiphar had left all in Joseph's hand, so that he 'knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat'. The trust is given in vv.4, 8, and again in the prison (v.22).

Verse 9

sin against God — Joseph's answer rests first on his master's trust and ends on God: 'how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' God had said to Abimelech in a dream, 'I also withheld thee from sinning against me' (Gen 20:6). David confesses after his own adultery, 'Against thee, thee only, have I sinned' (Ps 51:4).

Verse 12

he left his garment in her hand, and fled — Joseph's coat of many colours had been taken from him and used to deceive his father (Gen 37:31–33). Now this garment is left behind, and in vv.13–18 it is used as false witness. Paul's counsel, 'Flee fornication' (1 Cor 6:18), is the course Joseph takes.

Verse 20

the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound — The Hebrew word, sohar, 'dungeon' or enclosure, is found only in Gen 39:20–23 and 40:3, 5. It stands in the house of the captain of the guard (Gen 40:3). The psalmist says of this time, 'Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron' (Ps 105:18).

Verse 21

shewed him mercy — The word is chesed, covenant kindness; the LORD 'stretched out' (natah) mercy to him. 'Favour' (chen) is added, in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Stephen sums up both stages: God 'delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh' (Acts 7:10).

Verse 23

the LORD made it to prosper — The keeper 'looked not to any thing that was under his hand', as Potiphar 'knew not ought he had' (v.6). The verb is tsalach again (vv.2, 3), the word of Ps 1:3: 'whatsoever he doeth shall prosper'. The chapter ends as it began, on 'the LORD was with him'.