Genesis 39

1. Egyptian. Potiphar is three times specially called an “Egyptian”; from which it has been inferred by some that he was serving a foreign king, perhaps one of the Shepherd dynasty, and by others that at this time there were many Canaanites in Pharaoh’s service. But the intention may be to mark this as the beginning of the servitude of Abraham’s descendants to the Egyptians.

2 house. A situation better than that of a field-slave.

3 saw that the Lord was with him. Acknowledging Jahveh simply as the God of Joseph.

5 for Joseph’s sake. Cp. Laban’s admission, xxx. 27.

6 save the bread. A proverbial expression signifying the full confidence which Potiphar put in Joseph, though a slave; or the words may mean that as the food of Egyptians was prepared differently from that of foreigners (see xliii. 32), Joseph had no concern with his master’s table.—well favoured. That is, handsome in form and face.

9 against God. And not only against Potiphar. The contrast between Judah falling into Tamar’s snare, and Joseph resisting entreaties, shows the influence of true godliness, and proves that “the

Eternal was with Joseph in temptation, as well as in business and in suffering (1 Cor. x. 13).

12 garment. The hyke, or upper garment, was a large robe rather loosely fastened.

14 she called. Sinful love may change into hatred (2 Sam. xiii. 15) and the tempter become the accuser.

20 bound. “Prison,” literally “roundhouse.” This was probably attached to Potiphar’s own house (see xl. 3, where “the captain of the guard” is most likely to be understood of Potiphar himself). State prisoners were here confined, and Joseph is placed among them as a slave. His captivity, rigorous at first (Psa. cv. 18), did not long continue so. It is not improbable that Potiphar heard his wife’s story with some suspicion, which was afterwards strengthened; although, to save appearances, Joseph was left in prison.