Genesischapter 39

23 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 271 cross-references outward and receives 175 — heaviest partner: Genesis.

Chapter summary

Joseph in Potiphar's house. ‘The LORD was with Joseph’ — the refrain of the chapter, repeated four times. He rises to steward over all; he is young and comely; Potiphar's wife presses day by day, and day by day he refuses. ‘How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ She seizes his garment; he flees; she accuses him. Potiphar casts him into the king's prison — even there, ‘the LORD was with Joseph’. He is made trusty over the prisoners. Calvin notes that faithfulness cost Joseph his liberty; the prison is the LORD's appointed path to the throne of Egypt.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Genesis overview for the book's full setting.

1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither.

2 And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4 And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

5 And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field.

6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was comely, and well-favored.

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand:

9 he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?