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
Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. ​
2
The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ​
3
His master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand.
4
Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5
From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. the LORD’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. ​
6
He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome. ​

Joseph Resists Temptation

7
After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”
8
But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand.
9
He isn’t greater in this house than I, neither has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” ​
10
As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11
About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside.
12
She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside. ​
13
When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside,
14
she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.
15
When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
16
She laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.
17
She spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me,
18
and as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”

Joseph Is Imprisoned and Blessed

19
When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his wrath was kindled.
20
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 custody. ​
21
But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. ​
22
The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it.
23
The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because the LORD was with him; and that which he did, the LORD made it prosper. ​

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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