Genesis 39:22

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,)

Genesis 39:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 39:22

And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all
the prisoners that [were] in the prisons
Who, as they were state prisoners, were a considerable charge; and this gave Joseph great honour, credit, and influence in the prison: and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer [of it];
not that he learned and exercised every trade the prisoners were of, to get a living by, which is the sense of some, as Aben Ezra relates; or that he in fact did everything that was done in the prison: but the meaning is, that he gave orders for the doing of everything, and there was nothing done without him; all that was done, as the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, he commanded it to be done; or, as Onkelos, all that was done was done by his word, that is, by his authority and command.

Genesis 39:22 In-Context

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.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.