Genesis 39
Genesis 39 is part of “Joseph's Betrayal and Descent” (37:1–40:23) in the outline of Genesis.
Genesis 39 summary
At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him here, I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house (Gen 39:1), and yet there greatly honoured and favoured, I. By the providence of God, which made him, in effect, a master (Gen 39:2-6). 2.
Read the full introduction
At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him here, I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house (Gen 39:1), and yet there greatly honoured and favoured, I. By the providence of God, which made him, in effect, a master (Gen 39:2-6). 2. By the grace of God, which made him more than a conqueror over a strong temptation to uncleanness (Gen 39:7-12). II. We have him here a sufferer, falsely accused (Gen 39:13-18), imprisoned (Gen 39:19, Gen 39:20), and yet his imprisonment made both honourable and comfortable by the tokens of God's special presence with him (Gen 39:21-23). And herein Joseph was a type of Christ, "who took upon him the form of a servant," and yet then did that which made it evident that "God was with him," who was tempted by Satan, but overcame the temptation, who was falsely accused and bound, and yet had all things committed to his hand.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Genesis 39 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Joseph in Potiphar's House
1Now Ioseph was brought downe into Egypt: and Potiphar an Eunuche of Pharaohs (and his chiefe stewarde an Egyptian) bought him at the hande of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him thither. 2And the Lord was with Ioseph, and he was a man that prospered and was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3And his master sawe that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that hee did to prosper in his hande. 4So Ioseph founde fauour in his sight, and serued him: and he made him ruler of his house, and put all that he had in his hand. 5And from that time that he had made him ruler ouer his house and ouer all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptians house for Iosephs sake: and the blessing of the Lord was vpon all that he had in the house, and in the fielde. 6Therefore he left all that he had in Iosephs hand, and tooke accompt of nothing, that was with him, saue onely of the bread, which he did eate. And Ioseph was a faire person, and well fauoured. 7Nowe therefore after these thinges, his masters wife cast her eyes vpon Ioseph, and saide, Lye with me. 8But he refused and said to his masters wife, Beholde, my master knoweth not what he hath in the house with me, but hath committed all that he hath to mine hande. 9There is no man greater in this house then I: neither hath he kept any thing from me, but only thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickednes and so sinne against God? 10And albeit she spake to Ioseph day by day, yet he hearkened not vnto her, to lye with her, or to be in her company. 11Then on a certaine day Ioseph entred into the house, to doe his businesse: and there was no man of the houshold in the house: 12Therefore she caught him by his garmet, saying, Sleepe with me: but he left his garment in her hand and fled, and got him out. 13Nowe when she sawe that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled out, 14She called vnto the men of her house, and tolde them, saying, Beholde, he hath brought in an Ebrewe vnto vs to mocke vs: who came in to me for to haue slept with me: but I cryed with a loude voyce. 15And when he heard that I lift vp my voice and cryed, he left his garment with me, and fled away, and got him out. 16So she layde vp his garment by her, vntill her lord came home. 17Then she tolde him according to these words, saying, The Ebrew seruat, which thou hast brought vnto vs, came in to me, to mocke me. 18But assoone as I lift vp my voyce and cried, he left his garment with me, and fled out.
Joseph in Prison
19Then when his master heard the wordes of his wife, which she tolde him, saying, After this maner did thy seruant to me, his anger was kindled. 20And Iosephs master tooke him and put him in prison, in the place, where the kings prisoners lay bounde: and there he was in prison. 21But the Lord was with Ioseph, and shewed him mercie, and got him fauour in the sight of the master of the prison. 22And the keeper of the prison committed to Iosephs hande all the prisoners that were in the prison, and whatsoeuer they did there, that did he. 23And the keeper of the prison looked vnto nothing that was vnder his hande, seeing that the Lord was with him: for whatsoeuer he did, the Lord made it to prosper.