Genesis 39:18-23

18 but when I screamed for help,[a] he left his garment with me and ran outside."
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him-"These are the things your slave did to me"-he was furious
20 and had him thrown into prison, where the king's prisoners were confined. So Joseph was there in prison.

Joseph in Prison

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
22 The warden put all the prisoners who were in the prison under Joseph's authority,[b] and he was responsible for everything that was done there.
23 The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph's authority,[c] because the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful.[d]

Genesis 39:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 39

In this chapter the history returns to Joseph again, who being brought down to Egypt was sold to Potiphar, with whom he found favour, and who set him over his house, the Lord prospering everything in his hands, Ge 39:1-6; and being a young man of a comely aspect, his mistress lusted after him, and tempted him to lie with her from time to time, but he as constantly refused it, as being both ingratitude to his master, and a sin against God, Ge 39:7-10; at a certain time they being alone in the house, she renewed her solicitations, and laid hold on his garment, which he left in her hand and fled, Ge 39:11,12; upon which she called to her servants without, and accused Joseph of an ill design upon her, and reported the same to her husband when he came home, Ge 39:13-19; upon which his master put him into prison, but he found favour also with the keeper of it, who committed the prisoners and all things relative to them into his hands, Ge 39:20-23.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Lit I raised my voice and screamed
  • [b]. Lit prison in the hand of Joseph
  • [c]. Lit anything in his hand
  • [d]. Gn 39:2-3
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