Genesis 39:1-9

Joseph's Success in Egypt

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the 1Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there.
2 2The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
3 Now his master 3saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD 4caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 So Joseph 5found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and 6all that he owned he put in his charge.
5 It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD 7blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus 8the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.
6 So he left everything he owned in Joseph's charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except * the food which he ate. Now Joseph was 9handsome in form and appearance.
7 It came about after these events 10that his master's wife looked * with desire at Joseph, and she said, "11Lie with me."
8 But 12he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge.
9 "13There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing * from me except * you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and 14sin against God?"

Genesis 39:1-9 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.

Cross References 14

  • 1. Gen 37:25, 28, 36; Psalms 105:17
  • 2. Gen 39:3, 21, 23; Acts 7:9
  • 3. Genesis 21:22; Genesis 26:28
  • 4. Psalms 1:3
  • 5. Genesis 18:3; Genesis 19:19
  • 6. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 39:8, 22
  • 7. Genesis 30:27
  • 8. Deut 28:3, 4, 11
  • 9. Genesis 29:17; 1 Samuel 16:12
  • 10. Proverbs 7:15-20
  • 11. 2 Samuel 13:11
  • 12. Proverbs 6:23, 24
  • 13. Genesis 41:40
  • 14. Genesis 20:6; Genesis 42:18; 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalms 51:4

Footnotes 12

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