Genesis39

Joseph, sold into Egypt, becomes overseer of Potiphar's house, prospering because the Lord is with him. Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce him, but Joseph refuses, fleeing her advances. Falsely accused, Joseph is cast into prison, yet the Lord remains with him, granting him favor with the prison keeper and causing all his endeavors to prosper there as well.

Joseph Rises in Potiphar's House

1
Yosef was brought down to Egypt, and Potifar, an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Yishma'elim who had brought him there. ​
2
ADONAI was with Yosef, and he became wealthy while he was in the household of his master the Egyptian. ​
3
His master saw how ADONAI was with him, that ADONAI prospered everything he did.
4
Yosef pleased him as he served him, and his master appointed him manager of his household; he entrusted all his possessions to Yosef.
5
From the time he appointed him manager of his household and all his possessions, ADONAI blessed the Egyptian's household for Yosef's sake; ADONAI's blessing was on all he owned, whether in the house or in the field. ​
6
So he left all his possessions in Yosef's care; and because he had him, he paid no attention to his affairs, except for the food he ate. Now Yosef was well-built and handsome as well. ​

Joseph Resists Temptation

7
In time, the day came when his master's wife took a look at Yosef and said, "Sleep with me!"
8
But he refused, saying to his master's wife, "Look, because my master has me, he doesn't know what's going on in this house. He has put all his possessions in my charge.
9
In this house I am his equal; he hasn't withheld anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" ​
10
But she kept pressing him, day after day. Nevertheless, he didn't listen to her; he refused to sleep with her or even be with her.
11
However, one day, when he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men living in the house was there indoors,
12
she grabbed him by his robe and said, "Sleep with me!" But he fled, leaving his robe in her hand, and got himself outside. ​
13
When she saw that he had left his robe in her hand and had escaped,
14
she called the men of her house and said to them, "Look at this! My husband brought in a Hebrew to make fools of us. He came in and wanted to sleep with me, but I yelled out loudly.
15
When he heard me yelling like that, he left his robe with me and ran out."
16
She put the robe aside until his master came home.
17
Then she said to him, "This Hebrew slave you brought us came in to make a fool of me.
18
But when I yelled out, he left his robe with me and fled outside."

Joseph Is Imprisoned and Blessed

19
When his master heard what his wife said as she showed him, "Here's what your slave did to me," he became furious.
20
Yosef's master took him and put him in prison, in the place where the king's prisoners were kept; and there he was in the prison. ​
21
But ADONAI was with Yosef, showing him grace and giving him favor in the sight of the prison warden. ​
22
The prison warden made Yosef supervisor of all the prisoners in the prison; so that whatever they did there, he was in charge of it.
23
The prison warden paid no attention to anything Yosef did, because ADONAI was with him; and whatever he did, ADONAI prospered. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 39

Verse 1

Potiphar, whose name may mean 'dedicated to Re (the sun god),' was the captain of the royal guard, indicating a position of high authority and trust in Pharaoh's court.

Verse 2

The recurring phrase 'the LORD was with Joseph' is the theological key to this chapter, explaining his prosperity and success despite his terrible circumstances as a slave.

Verse 5

The blessing of the LORD extends beyond Joseph to include the entire Egyptian household, revealing that divine favor often brings tangible, material benefits to those associated with God's chosen people.

Verse 6

The detail that Joseph was physically 'goodly' (handsome) is not incidental; it immediately sets the stage for the moral temptation that follows, linking his physical appearance to the ensuing crisis.

Verse 9

Joseph frames his refusal primarily as a theological matter, stating that to commit adultery would be a 'great wickedness' and a 'sin against God,' demonstrating his focus on divine law over human consequence.

Verse 12

Joseph's action of fleeing and leaving his garment is a radical physical demonstration of his commitment to purity, prioritizing immediate escape over defending his reputation or possessions.

Verse 20

The prison was likely a state facility under the direct authority of the Captain of the Guard (Potiphar). Joseph was treated as a serious, potentially political, offender, reflecting his master's fury.

Verse 21

Even in the dungeon, the LORD’s presence is reaffirmed. The phrase 'showed him mercy' (Hebrew *ḥesed*) highlights God's covenant loyalty and faithful kindness despite the injustice Joseph suffered.

Verse 23

This verse concludes the narrative segment by reiterating the central theme, showing that Joseph's administrative success is entirely dependent on God’s active, prospering presence, regardless of his environment.

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