Joseph's righteousness emerges through sexual temptation and false accusation rather than covenant promises, uniquely demonstrating faithfulness through suffering instead of blessing.
Genesis 39
Joseph in Potiphar's House and Prison
1Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there.
2The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3His master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did prosper in his hand.
4Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. The LORD’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.
6He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome.
7After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”
8But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand.
9No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
10As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside.
12She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside.
13When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside,
14she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, “Behold, he has brought a Hebrew in to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.
15When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
16She laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.
17She spoke to him according to these words, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me,
18and as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
19When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his wrath was kindled.
20Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody.
21But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it.
23The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because the LORD was with him; and that which he did, the LORD made it prosper.
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Theme
Joseph rises to prominence in Potiphar's household through God's blessing, becoming overseer of all his master's affairs. When Potiphar's wife repeatedly attempts to seduce him, Joseph refuses on moral and theological grounds, but her false accusation leads to his imprisonment. Even in prison, the Lord's presence with Joseph results in his elevation to a position of authority over fellow prisoners, demonstrating God's faithfulness despite unjust circumstances.
Context
This chapter continues Joseph's journey from his brothers' betrayal in chapter 37, setting up his eventual encounter with Pharaoh's officials in chapter 40.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-6 Joseph's Rise in Potiphar's House Joseph prospers under God's blessing and becomes overseer of Potiphar's entire household.
- 7-10 Temptation and Refusal Potiphar's wife repeatedly propositions Joseph, who refuses based on loyalty to his master and faithfulness to God.
- 11-18 False Accusation When Joseph flees her physical advance, Potiphar's wife fabricates a story of attempted assault.
- 19-23 Imprisonment and Divine Favor Though imprisoned on false charges, Joseph again finds favor and rises to authority under the prison keeper.
Joseph in Potiphar's House and Prison
39:1–39:23 narrative narration solemn
Joseph prospers in Potiphar's house through God's blessing, resists his master's wife's seduction, and is falsely imprisoned. Despite suffering injustice, Joseph remains faithful to God and continues to find favor even in prison.
person_contrast
Joseph's righteousness emerges through sexual temptation and false accusation rather than covenant promises, uniquely demonstrating faithfulness through suffering instead of blessing.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Genesis 39:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Genesis 37:36 Lexical
The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.
Genesis 47:20 Lexical
So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine wa…
Genesis 40:3 Lexical
He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
Genesis 40:4 Lexical
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
Genesis 41:55 Lexical
When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “…
Genesis 39:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
Genesis 40:4 Lexical
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
Genesis 50:4 Lexical
When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your…
Genesis 47:29 Lexical
The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in yo…
Genesis 39:5 1 reference
Genesis 39:6 2 references
Genesis 39:19 2 references
Genesis 39:20 1 reference
Genesis 39:21 2 references
Genesis 39:22 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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v. 14
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v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
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Theological Significance
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