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Genesis Chapter 39

Old Testament Law (Torah) 23 Verses

What is Genesis 39 about?

The book of beginnings — creation, the Fall, Noah's flood, and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And 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.
2And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4And 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.
5And 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.
6And 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.
7And it came to pass after these things, that his master`s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8But 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:
9he 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?
10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, [or] to be with her.
11And it came to pass about this time, that he went into the house to do his work; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us: he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
15and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled, and got him out.
16And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.
17And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.
19And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
20And Joseph`s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king`s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
21But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph`s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because Jehovah was with him; and that which he did, Jehovah made it prosper.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt, etc.] By the Ishmaelites, (<013728>Genesis 37:28); as in a following clause: and Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian; as his name also shows, which signifies the fruit of Pot or Phut, that is, the son or grandson of one of that name f1688; which might be common in Egypt, since it was the name of a son of Ham, (<011006>Genesis 10:6), from whom the land of Egypt is called the land of Ham, (<19A523>Psalm 105:23,27 106:22); of this man and his offices, (see Gill on “<013736>Genesis 37:36”); he bought him: that is, “Joseph”, of the hands of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“JOSEPH IN POTIPHAR'S HOUSE. (Gen. 39:1-23) Potiphar--This name, Potiphar, signifies one "devoted to the sun," the local deity of On or Heliopolis, a circumstance which fixes the place of his residence in the Delta, the district of Egypt bordering on Canaan. officer--literally, "prince of the Pharoah"--that is, in the service of government. captain of the guard--The import of the original term has been variously interpreted, some considering it means "chief cook," others, "chief inspector of plantations"; but that which seems best founded is "chief of the executioners," the same as the captain of the watch, the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“- Joseph in Potiphar’s House According to our reckoning, Perez and Zerah were born when Judah was in his twenty-eighth year, and therefore, Joseph in his twenty-fourth. Here, then, we go back seven years to resume the story of Joseph. Genesis 39:1-6 Joseph fares well with his first master. “Potiphar.” This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 37:0: “The Lord;” the God of covenant is with Joseph. “In the house.” Joseph was a domestic servant. “And his master saw.” The prosperity that attended all Joseph’s doings was so striking as to show that the Lord was with him. “Set him over” - made him overseer of…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“39:1–47:31 Joseph began as a slave, alienated from his brothers and separated from his father; he ended as Pharaoh’s viceroy. Through the trips to Egypt, the covenant family went from the brink of apostasy, divided by jealousy and deception, to being reconciled and united by Judah’s intercession and Joseph’s forgiveness. 39:1-23 Joseph’s integrity in Potiphar’s service contrasts with Judah’s moral failure (ch 38). God was with Joseph (39:2-3, 21, 23) and enabled him to prosper and be a blessing (see study notes on 12:1-9; 28:16-22) despite his slavery and imprisonment.”
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