Genesis 39:18-23

18 And it happened [that] as I raised my voice and called out, he left his garment beside me and fled outside."
19 And when his master heard the words of his wife that she spoke to him, "{This is what your servant did to me}," {he became very angry}.
20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into prison, the place that the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in prison.
21 And Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed loyal love to him, and gave him favor in the eyes of the chief of the prison.
22 And the chief of the prison put all the prisoners that [were] in the prison into the hand of Joseph. And everything that was done there, he [was] the one who did [it].
23 The chief of the prison {did not worry about} anything in his hand, since Yahweh [was] with him. And whatever he did Yahweh made [it] successful.

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]. Literally "according to these words your servant did to me"
  • [b]. Literally "his nostrils became hot"
  • [c]. Literally "did not pay heed to"
  • [d]. That is, Joseph's
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.