Genesis Chapter 39 Bible Study
Genesis Chapter 39
We are know back to the chronological line of Chapter 37 and Joseph being sold into slavery.
The history of Joseph is one of the most remarkable, interesting, and instructive of any contained in the Scriptures or elsewhere. It affords us the clearest evidence of the providence of God conducting all things with amazing and stupendous wisdom, and making them “work together for good to those that love him;” causing even the wickedness of men to become subservient to the accomplishment of its designs.
Verse 01. 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.
Key Phrase: And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; By the Ishmaelites, as we have seen in
Genesis 37:28.
Key Phrase: Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian; His name
signifies the fruit of Pot or Phut, that is, the son or grandson of one of that name.
Note: Which might be common in Egypt, since it was the name of a son of Ham, Genesis 10:6,
from whom the land of Egypt is called the land of Ham, Psalm 105:23.
Key Phrase: he bought him: that is, "Joseph" of the hands of the Ishmaelites; What they gave
for him we know, but what they sold him for to Potiphar is not said. No doubt
they got a good price for him.
Verse 02. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the
house of his master the Egyptian.
Key Phrase: And the Lord was with Joseph; Blessing him with his gracious presence, with
discoveries of His love, and communion with himself. Though destitute of the
means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; The
Lord favoring him with bodily health and protecting him from all evils and enemies.
Key Phrase: and he was a prosperous man; This is in reference to worldly things, since we
know that He had spiritual favor owing to the presence of God with him and his
blessing on him would extend to worldly realm also.
Key Phrase: and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian; He continued there and did
not attempt escape. His employment lay chiefly, if not altogether, in the house,
and herein he was prosperous and continued to be so as long as he was in it.
Note: The Jewish writers say, he remained here twelve months. Near the pyramids built in the
neighborhood of Memphis, as is affirmed unanimously by the ancients. (cont.)
To this day in Egyptthere is hill, on which they say the house of Potiphar was built,
whose servant the patriarch Joseph was, and some of the rubbish of the bricks are yet
to be seen.
Verse 03. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that
he did to prosper in his hand.
Key Phrase: And his master saw that the Lord was with him; Potiphar knew nothing of the
spiritual and gracious presence of God that was with Joseph, he was no judge of
that. Yet he perceived by the ingenuity of his mind, his ready and speedy
learning of the Egyptian language, his dexterity in business and by the prudence
and faithfulness with which he did everything. Potiphar knew he was highly
favored by the divine Being. The great endowments bestowed upon him and was
an extraordinary person for his age.
Key Phrase: and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand; Though Potiphar
might have no knowledge of the true Jehovah, whose name he uses. Yet he might
have a notion of a supreme Being, and that all outward prosperity was owing to
Joseph. Knowing Joseph to be an Hebrew and Jehovah to be the God of the
Hebrews, he imputes all the prosperity that attended Joseph and his services unto
Joseph’s God.
Verse 04. 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.
Key Phrase: And Joseph found grace in his sight; In the sight of his master, as he did in the
sight of God, he had favor both with God and man. His master had a high esteem
of him, a great value for him and showed him much kindness and respect.
Key Phrase: and he served him; Readily, willingly, cheerfully, and faithfully. He may have
served him personally. His master took such a liking to him that he selected him
from the rest of his servants to wait on him personally, what we now call a "valet
de chambre", whose business was to dress and undress him, to wait upon him at
the table, to simply be his personal assistant.
Key Phrase: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his
hand; That is, after he had served him some time, in the capacity of a valet, he
advanced him, and made him the head servant, or steward of his house, and
committed all his business, cash, and accounts to his care, and put all his servants
under him.
Note: I like to call this section the learning curve to rule a nation.
Verse 05. 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.
Key Phrase: And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house,
and over all that he had; How long he was in this office is not certain. There
must have been some time for the following observation.
Key Phrase; that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; That is blessed
much more than before. Everything under his hands succeeded before, but now
even more abundantly. Potiphar's family was blessed with health, his substance
grew and increased. Potiphar grew rich and wealthy and abounded with all good
things. The blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house.
Key Phrase: and in the field; his domestic affairs prospered, his fields brought forth
plentifully, his cattle were fruitful and stood well; Everything belonging to him
within doors and outside of it happily succeeded, through the blessing of God upon
it, and all for Joseph's sake.
Note: The time for fields to grow and cattle to prosper is an indication of time that had passed.
Verse 06. 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.
Key Phrase: And he left all he had in Joseph's hand; His master took no care of anything, but
committed all to him, trusted him with his money and with his accounts, and with
the management of all his affairs, such confidence did he put in him.
Key Phrase; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat; Some scholars
understand or interpret this is of Joseph. That though he had all his master's
substance in his hands, yet he made no use of it for himself, enjoyed nothing of it
but the bread he ate; It is the observation of one Jewish writer that he ate
nothing but dry bread, and yet, like Daniel and his companions, was well favored
and of a goodly countenance or health. My discernment or interpretation of it is
that Joseph's master, who was so satisfied with Joseph's good management and
fidelity, that he never concerned himself about his affairs. It would mean Potiphar
did not know how they stood or what money he had in his house, or what he had
possession of. All that he regarded was his food, according to Aben Ezra the sense
is, that Joseph had all committed to his care, except the bread, or making pro-
vision of that for him and his family, which he might not touch being a Hebrew.
Key Phrase; and Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured; Being like his mother, as
Aben Ezra observes, see Genesis 29:17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a
lovely figure and was beautiful. this is remarked for the sake of what follows, and
as leading on to that.
Verse 07. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon
Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
Key Phrase: And it came to pass after these things; Joseph had by this time been nearly ten
years in Potiphar's house. Which would make him about 27 or 28 years old.
Key Phrase; that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; He being a handsome young
man, caught her eye, and maybe even her heart. Led her on to lust after him and
frequently fed her eyes with amorous glances at him.
Key Phrase; lie with me; Now directly if there being both opportunity and convenience,
perhaps her chamber was near. This was a very great temptation to a young man
in single life and living well, from his mistress. Who had it greatly in her power to
make him should he consent, or ruin him should he deny.
Verse 08. 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;
Key Phrase: But he refused, and said unto his master's wife; Reasoning with her about the
evil nature of the crime she tempted him to, which to commit would be ingrate-
tude, as well as injury to his master, and a sin against God.
Key Phrase; behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house; Is unaware of
what goods or money are in it or all that he owns.
Key Phrase: and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand: Such confidence did he
have in him, wherefore to do such an injury to him as to commit adultery with his
wife, would be making a horrible return on such trust. Acting in a most ungrateful
manner on his part for such favor shown him.
Verse 09. 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?
Key Phrase: There is none greater in this house than I; Not any of the servants of the house,
he was the chief of them, who had all the rest under him. Joseph had authority