Genesis 39

coll to have come from heaven, to countenance the fact. (See Mr. Selden, lib. v. de Jure N. et G. cap. 9. and lib. vii. cap. 5.) But, it is not likely, he would take his son’s wife to be his own. And likewise having known her, though by an error, most think Selah himself afterward had her not to wife: but she rather did penance (as we now speak) in widowhood all her days. For Selah, wc find, had children by another, (Numb. xxvi. 19.) body heard it), but was easily believed against a servant; whom they all, perhaps, envied. If she pretended it was done in Joseph’s apartment, the question might have been asked her, What she did there?

Genesis 39:1

&ND Joseph. Having ended this story of Judah, he returns to that of Joseph, which he had begun before in the thirtyseventh chapter; repeating, where he left off, how he was sold to Potiphar. Brought down.] It is a descent from Judca to Egypt: which lies very low.

Genesis 39:2

And the Lord was with Joseph. To guide him in his deportment, and in the management of all affairs committed to him: so that, as it follows, " he was a prosperous man." lie teas in the house of his master.] One of his domestic servants.

Genesis 39:3

His master saw that the Lord was with him, &c. Found by observation and experience that he was an extraordinary person. It is not likely that Potiphar knew God by the name of Jehovah: but the meaning is, he observed the happy fruits of Joseph’s service; which Moses, not he, ascribes to the Lord’s peculiar blessing.

Genesis 39:4

And he served him. Found such favour with his master, that he took him to wait upon his person. And he made him overseer over his house.] In time he advanced him to a higher station, to be (as they now speak) his major-domo, to whom all the servants in the family were to be obedient. And put all he had into his hand.] Committed all his estate, both within doors and without (as appearsby the next verse), to his care and management. Ver. G. He left alt he had in Joseph* s hand.] Did not call him to a daily account, nor concerned himself about any business: but trusted entirely to his prudence and fidelity. And he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did cat.] This is the highest expression of confidence; signifying, that he was utterlycareless about any thing that concerned his estate: not minding what his expense or receipts were; but, taking his ease, left all to Joseph’s honesty. In short, he thought of nothing, but only to enjoy what he had, without any care or trouble. And Joseph was a goodly person.] Being the son of a beautiful mother.

Genesis 39:7

Cast her eyes upon Joseph. Looked upon him amorously, or rather lasciviously: he being young as well as handsome.

Genesis 39:9

How can I do this great wickedness? &c. Here are three he hajedias, as the Hebrews call them; pointing us to so many remarkable things. How shall I commit such a wickedness as adultery? such.a great wickedness? against so kind a master, who so entirely trusts in my integrity? especially, since it cannot be committed without the highest offence to God.

Genesis 39:10

Day by day. Took all occasions to solicit him. * Or to be with her.] He avoided, as much as was possible, to entertain any discourse with her,, shunning her company, &c.

Genesis 39:11

About this time. The phrase in the Hebrew (where there are again two lies of the same kind with the former) signifies some remarkable day. R. Solomon and Josephus think it was some festival, when the master and the rest of the family were gone to the temples; and she stayed at home, feigning herself not well. But the Vulgar translates it simply, upon a certain day. Or it may signify, having the like opportunity, as formerly, and Joseph being about his business in the house she caught him, &c. To do his business.] To cast up his accounts, saith the Chaldee interpreters. None of the men of the house were within.] In that part of the house where he was.

Genesis 39:12

Left the garment in her hand. If he had struggled to get the garment away from her, the accusation might have been more specious, that he went about to ravish her. Epiphanius hath made a good reflection uponthis example. KaTaXtfnravu ra i/i<rna,. i«u to atofia ouk a7roX- \vmv. *A7ro8tS/3a(T>c€t rbv tottov, \va fii] wivy ry 7rayt§i, &C. (vid. Haeres. Ixxix. n. 9.) He left his garment, that he might not lose his body: and shunned the place, that he might not fall into the snare. And indeed it was dangerous to adventure himself in her company; much more to touch her, lest he should fall into temptation.

Genesis 39:14

She called unto the men of her house. Cried to them, who were in her apartment, to come and help her. He hath brought in.] In her rage she reflects upon her husband, as accessory to her danger, that she might the more incense him against Joseph. There is something like this in Apuleius’s story (lib. x. Mctamorph.) of the stepmother’s love to her son-in-law, which was turned info hatred, and made her contrive just such a lio as this, when he would not yield to her. To mock us.] To abuse our family. I cried with a loud voice.]. An improbable story (for no-

Genesis 39:17

Came in tnito vie to mock me. To offer violence to me (as the Hebrew phrase signifies), and rob me of my chastity.

Genesis 39:18

lie left his garment with me. Philo observes, that this was an argument rather that she laid hands on him: for he could have easily taken his garment from her, if he had not fled hastily from her importunity. But her husband’s jealousy made him credulous. ■

Genesis 39:20

Joseph’s master took him, &c. Caused him to be apprehended,.and carried to prison. During his anger he would not hearken to the apology, which we cannot but (hink he offered to make for himself. Unless we suppose (which is not unlikely) that his master would not so much as see him; but ordered him immediately to be hurried to the jail. A place where the king’s prisoners were bound.] Where the king himself caused those who had offended him to be committed. This shews Potipharwas a great man, (see xl. 3.) and that he looked upon the crime as very great: for this prison, we must think, was most strictly guarded/ that they who were thrown into it might not escape punishment. And it appears by what the Psalmist says, (cv. 18.) that the prisoners were hardly used; and that Joseph (xl. 15.) was thrust into the lowest part of the prison, which was the most dismal, as well as of greatest difficulty to make an escape out of it. And he tvas there in the prison.’] His master proceeded no further against him, but there he left him. Perhaps Joseph found means to let him know the truth; which made him not form any process to take away his life, or inflict any other punishment on him: and yet, to save his wife’s credit, he let him lie in the prison.

Genesis 39:21

The Lord was with Joseph. The same wisdom and virtue appeared in him, now he was in prison, that his master discerned, when he came first into his house, (ver. 2.) Give him favour.] So that he had more liberty than the rest, after some short confinement. Keeper of the prison.] The under-keeper it appears from xl. 4.

Genesis 39:22

Committed to Joseph’s hand, &c. His favour increased so much (as it had done in his master’s house, ver. 4.) that he, in effect, was the keeper of the prison, not a prisoner.

This came out first. Perceiving there were twins struggling in her womb, the midwife, to distinguish this from the other, as the first-born, hound this thread about his wrist.

How hast thou broke forth?. What is the cause of this? Or, what a violence is this? Speaking as one astonished at his eruption. For it was without example; and therefore the novelty of the thing made her break out into this exclamation. Though, if it be true which a learned anatomist affirms, that where twins are of the same sex, they are wrapped in the very same secuudines, as they call them (whereas those that are of a different, are separated by distinct inclosures), the other son being stronger and more vigorous, might force his way the more readily, when his brother was nearer to the birth. (Ferncllius, lib. vii. Physiolog. cap. 12.) This breach be upon thee.] Take thy name from this breach. Be thou ever called eruption, or breach; as Bochart interprets it. (Hierozoic. par. i. lib. ii. cap. 30.)

Called Zarah. Which most think signifies as much as he ariseih (being used commonly of the sun’s rising), because this child appeared first, by putting out his hand before the other.