Genesis 39:15-23

15 and he heard my voice, he left the mantle which I held, and he fled out. (and he heard my voice, he left his cloak which I held onto, and he fled away.)

16 Therefore into proving of the truth, she showed the mantle, that she held, to her husband turning again home. (And so to prove the truth of it all, she showed his cloak, which she had held onto, to her husband when he returned home.)

17 And she said (to him), The Hebrew servant, whom thou broughtest in, entered to me to scorn me (came to me, and mocked me);

18 and when he saw me cry, he left the mantle that I held, and he fled out. (and when I cried out, he left his cloak which I held onto, and he fled away.)

19 And when these things were heard, the lord believed over much to the words of the wife (the lord believed too much in his wife's words), and he was full wroth;

20 and he betook Joseph into prison, where the bound men of the king were kept, and he was closed there. (and he took Joseph, and put him in the prison, where the king's prisoners were kept, and so he was enclosed there.)

21 Forsooth the Lord was with Joseph, and had mercy on him, and gave grace to him, in the sight of the prince of the prison (before the ruler, that is, the warden, of the prison),

22 which betook in the hand of Joseph all the prisoners that were holden in keeping, and whatever thing was done, it was done under Joseph, (who put all the other prisoners, who were held in the prison, under Joseph's hand, or power, and whatever thing was done, it was done under Joseph's direction,)

23 neither the prince knew anything (and the ruler of the prison had no further concerns), for all things were betaken to Joseph; for the Lord was with him, and directed all his works.

Genesis 39:15-23 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.