Genesis 39:4

4 So Joseph 1found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and 2all that he owned he put in his charge.

Genesis 39:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 39:4

And Joseph found grace in his sight
In the sight of his master, as he did in the sight of God, he had favour both with God and man; his master had a high esteem of him, and a great value for him, and showed him much kindness and respect: and he served him;
readily, willingly, cheerfully, and faithfully; or he served him personally; his master took such a liking to him, that he selected him from the rest of his servants to wait on his person, and to be what we now call a "valet de chambre", whose business was to dress and undress him, to wait upon him at table and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put
into his hand;
that is, after he had served him some time, in the capacity of a valet, he advanced him, and made him the head servant, or steward of his house, and committed all his business, cash, and accounts to his care, and put all his servants under him.

Genesis 39:4 In-Context

2 The 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 saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all 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 blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the 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 handsome in form and appearance.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Genesis 18:3; Genesis 19:19
  • 2. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 39:8, 22

Footnotes 2

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