Genesis 39 KJV
Joseph in Potiphar's House
Genesis Chapter 39: Joseph in Potiphar's House
The repeated emphasis on the Lord's presence with Joseph (even extending to blessing an Egyptian household) echoes the Abrahamic covenant's promise that all nations would be blessed through his descendants, positioning Joseph as a conduit of divine favor amid foreign oppression.
1nd 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 Egyptianโs house for Josephโs 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 Josephโs 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 masterโs wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8 But he refused, and said unto his masterโs 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 Josephโs master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the kingโs 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 Josephโs 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.
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Did You Know?
The repeated emphasis on the Lord's presence with Joseph (even extending to blessing an Egyptian household) echoes the Abrahamic covenant's promise that all nations would be blessed through his descendants, positioning Joseph as a conduit of divine favor amid foreign oppression.
Joseph's explicit refusal frames the seduction as sin 'against God' rather than merely against Potiphar, introducing an internalized ethical framework that transcends human authority and anticipates later biblical notions of covenant loyalty.
The garment motif links this chapter to both the earlier coat of many colors and the later bloodied robe presented to Jacob, creating a literary pattern where clothing serves as deceptive evidence against Joseph across multiple betrayals.
Potiphar's title as captain of the guard places Joseph in the royal prison under direct oversight of Pharaoh's security apparatus, foreshadowing his eventual access to the Egyptian court through the butler and baker.
The narrative's focus on Joseph's administrative success in Potiphar's house subtly demonstrates acquired Egyptian cultural competence, preparing him for governance without compromising his distinct identity as a Hebrew servant of the Lord.