Genesis 39

Joseph is blessed of God in his service with Potiphar; that his Master sets him over all where God is likewise with Joseph, so that he is set over the prisoners, 20.

1. Now Joseph was carried down to Egypt: Potiphar, Pharoahs Courtier, a Captain of the Guard, [see above chapter 37. On verse 36.] an Egyptian, bought him out of the hand of the Israelites, [see above chapter 37. On verse 36.] an Egyptian, bought him out of the hand of the Ismaelites, [see above chapter 37. On verse 25.] who had carried him down thither.

2. And the LORD was with Joseph; [see above chapter 21. On verse 22. And 26. Verse 24.] so that he was a prosperous man: and he was in his Masters house the Egyptian; [i.e. he ran not away again to his father or elsewhere, but applied himself patiently and faithfully to the low estate whereinto God had put him by his Providence. In the Hebrew, his Masters, in the plural, implying the singular onely, and so likewise in the sequel, and above chapter 24. 10. And 2 Sam. 12. 8.]

3. Now when his Master saw, that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all what he did to prosper by his hand: [i.e. by his service and attendance, Exodus 4:13. Leviticus 8:36. Proverbs 26:6, etc.]

4. Then Joseph found grace in his eyes, [see above ch. 18. 3.] and served him: [i.e. he attended his person. At first he was but a common servant, or drudge: then he came to be a Groom of the Chamber to his Master, and soon after the Steward of all his house] and he put (or set) him over his house, and all he had he put into his hand. [See above chapter 16. Verse 6.]

5. And it came to pass, that since he had set him over his house, and over all that was his, that the LORD blessed the Egyptians house, for Joseph sake: [wicked and mere worldly men are blessed for honest and pious ones living amongst them. See above chapter 30.27, 30. Isaiah 45:3, 4.] yea the blessing of the LORD was in all that he had, in the house, and in the fields.

6. And he left all he had in Josephs hand, so that he took knowledge with him of nothing, but the bread he did eat; [i.e. Potiphar troubled himself, or took care for nothing at all, but eating and drinking, remitting all the household-affairs to Joseph’s care and managing. Some are of opinion, that these words, but the bread he did eat, have regard to the superstition of the Egyptians, who would not eat with the Hebrews. See thereof below, chapter 43. Verse 32.] and Joseph was fair of feature, and fair of face, (or aspect).

7. And it fell out after these things, that his Masters wife did cast her upon Joseph: [Heb. That she lifted up her eyes to Joseph: the meaning is, she looked upon him with dishonest and lustful eyes. See Matthew 5:28. And 2 Pet. 2. 14. The contrary practice was in Job, chapter 31. Verse 1.] and she said; Lie with me. [after that doubtless she had used many ways and devices, to entice and allure him to uncleanness.]

8. But he refused it, and said to his Masters wife: Behold, my Master hath no knowledge with me of what there is in the house; and all what he hath, he hath given (or put) it into my hand.

9. There is none greater in this house, than myself; [viz. in regard of the power, which Joseph had received from his Master, for the guiding and governing of the house in his stead. Oth. He himself is not greater in this house.] and he hath withheld nothing from me, but thee, therein, that thou art his wife: [i.e. he hath likewise given charge to me, to take care of and provide for thee, in regard of thy bodily sustenance, but in no wise to have any bodily communion with thee. Oth. Therefore that then, etc.] how should I then do this, so great an evil, and sin against God?

10. And it happened, that when the day by day, [Heb. Day, day. One and the same word twice put down, doth sometimes imply a continuance of time, Exodus 16:5, 22. Leviticus 6:12. Deuteronomy 2:27. And 14. 22.] she spoke to him, and he hearkened not after her, (and) to be with her: [for to hear her solicitation; he knowing well enough, that evil communication or reasoning corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15. 33.]

11. So it fell out on such a day, that he came into the house, to do his work: and there was none of the people of the house [i.e. none of the household, or family. So below verse 14. And Mich. 7. 6.] within the household:

12. And she apprehended him by his garment, [doubtless by some upper garment, as cloak, or coat, & c.] saying; lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and went forth broad.

13. And it happened, when she saw, that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth .

14. Then she called the people of her house; [viz. those that were abroad, or in the interim come again, to the end she might pack and prepare her witnesses against the time of her accusing of Joseph before her husband.] and spoke to him, saying; Behold, [it seems, that she held Joseph’s garment in her hand yet, and showed it forth to her people in speaking to them] He [viz. my husband; she names him not otherwise, as making show as if she were much offended with him.] hath brought us in the Hebrew man [thus she calleth Joseph scornfully, and the more to incense the household against him, the Egpytians bearing otherwise, as making show as if she were much offended with him.] hath brought us in the Hebrew man [thus she calleth Joseph scornfully, and the more to incense the household against him, the Egyptians bearing otherwise but small good will to the Hebrews. See below, chapter 43. 32.] for to mock us: [This vile woman saith not here, with me, but with us; as if she would say; if he dare be so bold with me, what villainy and baseness shall not he dare to put upon any of the house?] He came to me, for to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. [Heb. Great voice.]

15. And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice, and cried out: then he left his garment with me, and fled, and forth.

16. And she laid his garment by her, till his Master came into his house.

17. Then spoke she to him, according to those same words, [viz. which she had used towards the household, repeating the same over again to her husband.] saying; The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought us in here, came to me to mock me.

18. And it came to pass, when I lifted up my voice, and cried; that he left his garment with me and fled forth.

19. And it came to pass, when his Master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying; according to these same words hath thy servant done unto me; [i.e. just as I told thee, so he did] then his anger kindled. [He believes his wife, without hearing Joseph first. Compare the phrase with above chapter 4. 5, 6. And see the Annot. On ver. 5.]

20. And Joseph’s Master took him, and delivered him into the prison-house [Heb. To the house of roundness, or the round Tower. This prison is likewise called a pit, or dungeon, below chapter 40. 15. And 41. 14.] to the place where the Kings prisoners were kept in prison: [Hebr. The Kings bound (ones) were bound: understand here such prisoners, as had trespassed against the King himself, or committed some heinous crime, lying there for life and death] thus was he there in the prison-house.

21. Yet the LORD was with Joseph, and turned (his) kindness towards him: and gave him grace in the eyes [Heb. gave his grace, i.e. he made him gracious and acceptable, see above chapter 18. On verse 3.] of the chief of the prison-house.

22. And the chief of the prison-house gave (or, put) all the prisoners, that were in the prison-house, into Joseph’s hand, and all what they did there, he did. [i.e. whatsoever they used to do, and all that was done, was done by his command and ordering.]

23. The chief of the prison-house, looked upon nothing at all [Heb. Was not seeing all (i.e. any) thing] that was in his hand, because the LORD was with him: and what he did, the LORD did make to thrive.