Genesis 39

Genesis 39 continues the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. It highlights Joseph’s experiences in Egypt, particularly his rise to a position of trust in Potiphar’s household and his eventual imprisonment due to false accusations. The chapter emphasizes Joseph’s faithfulness to God in the midst of trials and God’s favor toward him, which led to his success even in adverse circumstances.

Genesis 39:1 (NKJV)
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

Joseph, after being sold by his brothers, is taken to Egypt where he is purchased by Potiphar, a high-ranking official in Pharaoh’s court. This verse sets the stage for Joseph’s life in Egypt, a foreign land where he has no status or family support. Despite his circumstances, Joseph’s journey into Egypt is not accidental, as it plays a key role in God’s larger plan for his life and for the future of Israel. The mention of Potiphar as the captain of the guard highlights Joseph’s proximity to significant power and influence.

Genesis 39:2-3 (NKJV)
2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful 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 he did to prosper in his hand.

Though Joseph is a slave, God’s presence with him leads to his success in Potiphar’s house. This indicates that no matter his external circumstances, Joseph’s favor with God remained intact. Potiphar, a pagan, notices this divine blessing on Joseph’s life. Joseph’s prosperity is not attributed to his own abilities but to the fact that God was with him. This relationship between divine favor and visible success sets a pattern seen throughout Joseph’s life, demonstrating that God’s purpose and blessing can manifest even in adversity.

Genesis 39:4-5 (NKJV)
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

Joseph’s faithfulness in his duties leads Potiphar to elevate him to the position of overseer of his entire household. The blessings that come upon Potiphar’s house are a direct result of Joseph’s presence and God’s favor toward him. This shows how God’s blessing upon His people can extend to others around them, even to those who do not share their faith. Joseph’s role as overseer mirrors a leadership position, though he is still technically a slave. The blessing of the Lord extends not only to Potiphar’s house but also to his fields, symbolizing prosperity in every area of his life.

Genesis 39:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

Potiphar’s complete trust in Joseph allowed him to manage all his possessions, demonstrating Joseph’s reliability and integrity. However, a new challenge arises as Potiphar’s wife begins to desire Joseph due to his appearance. This temptation introduces a moral test for Joseph, who must now navigate the advances of his master’s wife. The detail of Joseph’s physical attractiveness sets the stage for the conflict that will follow, showing that sometimes success and blessing can lead to greater trials.

Genesis 39:8-9 (NKJV)
8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.
9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Joseph firmly resists the advances of Potiphar’s wife, citing his loyalty to his master and, more importantly, his commitment to God. Joseph recognizes that while his position gives him authority over much, it does not extend to Potiphar’s wife. He calls the act a “great wickedness,” showing his moral conviction that it would be both a betrayal of his master’s trust and, more crucially, a sin against God. Joseph’s refusal emphasizes his strong integrity and faithfulness, even when faced with personal temptation.

Genesis 39:10-12 (NKJV)
10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside,
12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

Despite persistent temptation from Potiphar’s wife, Joseph continues to resist her advances. This ongoing pressure reveals Joseph’s steadfast commitment to his moral principles. When she eventually traps him alone, Joseph chooses to flee rather than succumb to her demands, leaving his garment behind. His decision to flee reflects his deep desire to avoid sin, even at personal cost. Joseph’s actions demonstrate the importance of fleeing from temptation when it is unavoidable, choosing righteousness over immediate comfort or safety.

Genesis 39:13-15 (NKJV)
13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside,
14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.
15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.”

Potiphar’s wife, after being rejected, turns the situation around by falsely accusing Joseph of trying to assault her. She uses his garment as false evidence to support her claim. Her words not only accuse Joseph but also make a racial distinction, calling him a “Hebrew,” possibly to incite prejudice. This false accusation is intended to ruin Joseph’s reputation and remove him from her presence. The garment, which Joseph left behind in his attempt to escape, becomes the key piece of evidence against him, even though it tells a different story.

Genesis 39:16-18 (NKJV)
16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home.
17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me;
18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.”

Potiphar’s wife holds on to Joseph’s garment, waiting for her husband to return. When Potiphar arrives, she accuses Joseph of attempting to assault her, framing the story in such a way that it casts blame on both Joseph and Potiphar. By saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us,” she subtly places responsibility on Potiphar for bringing Joseph into the household. Her story is a fabrication, but she uses the garment as supposed proof to make her accusation seem credible. This sets the stage for Joseph’s unjust punishment.

Genesis 39:19-20 (NKJV)
19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused.
20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.

Upon hearing his wife’s accusation, Potiphar’s anger is kindled, and he promptly throws Joseph into prison. Though Joseph is innocent, he suffers the consequences of a false accusation. Potiphar, as captain of the guard, had the authority to severely punish Joseph, yet he opts to imprison him rather than execute him, possibly suggesting that he had some doubts about his wife’s story. Regardless, Joseph’s situation shifts dramatically from a position of favor in Potiphar’s house to being confined in prison, showing how unjustly life can turn, even for the righteous.

Genesis 39:21-23 (NKJV)
21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.
23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

Even in prison, God’s presence remains with Joseph, demonstrating divine mercy and favor. Joseph quickly earns the trust of the prison keeper, much like he did with Potiphar, and is given significant responsibility over the other prisoners. The text highlights that whatever Joseph did prospered, not because of his own abilities alone, but because the Lord was with him. This underscores the consistent theme that God’s blessing follows Joseph despite his external circumstances, whether as a slave or a prisoner, showing that God’s favor is not limited by human injustice.