1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
2 And the LORD 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 the LORD [was] with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served 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 had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD 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 ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was [a] goodly [person], and well favoured.
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 wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9 [There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10 And 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.
11 And it came to pass about this time, that [Joseph] went into the house to do his business; and [there was] none of the men of the house there within.
12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19 And 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.
20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners [were] bound: and he was there in the prison.
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 And 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].
23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing [that was] under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and [that] which he did, the LORD made [it] to prosper.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 39
Genesis Chapter 39 narrates the story of Joseph after he has been sold into slavery by his brothers. This chapter highlights themes of faithfulness, temptation, and divine providence as Joseph navigates his new life in Egypt.
Joseph in Potiphar’s House
After being sold by his brothers, Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
- Joseph’s Success: Despite his circumstances, Joseph finds favor in Potiphar’s eyes due to his hard work and integrity.
- Divine Favor: The Lord is with Joseph, leading to his success in all that he does, which results in Potiphar entrusting him with the management of his household.
Joseph’s Rise to Authority
Joseph’s skills and character earn him a position of authority within Potiphar’s household.
- Potiphar recognizes Joseph’s abilities and promotes him to oversee all his possessions.
- Joseph is responsible for everything in Potiphar’s house, and the Lord blesses Potiphar’s household because of Joseph.
Temptation from Potiphar’s Wife
As Joseph gains prominence, he faces temptation from Potiphar’s wife, who attempts to seduce him.
- Joseph’s Resistance: Joseph consistently refuses her advances, citing his loyalty to Potiphar and his commitment to God.
- Character and Integrity: Joseph demonstrates strong moral character by avoiding the situation and fleeing when she persists.
False Accusation and Imprisonment
After Joseph rejects Potiphar’s wife’s advances, she falsely accuses him of attempted assault.
- Potiphar’s Reaction: Angered by the accusation, Potiphar has Joseph thrown into prison.
- Joseph’s Faithfulness: Despite the injustice, Joseph remains faithful, and the Lord continues to be with him.
Theological Themes
Several significant theological themes emerge from Genesis Chapter 39:
- Divine Providence: God’s presence and favor are evident in Joseph’s life, guiding him through trials.
- Integrity and Morality: Joseph’s commitment to righteousness serves as a model for resisting temptation.
- Faithfulness in Adversity: Joseph’s experiences illustrate the importance of remaining faithful to God, even in difficult circumstances.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 39 presents a powerful narrative of Joseph’s trials and triumphs in Egypt. Through his experiences, the chapter emphasizes the significance of faithfulness, integrity, and the unwavering presence of God in the lives of those who trust Him.
