Genesis 39

King James Version

Full text for Genesis Chapter 39

1¶ 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.

2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3And his master saw that the LORD [was] with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4And 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.

5And 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.

6And 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.

7¶ And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8But 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;

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?

10And 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.

11And 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.

12And 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,

14That 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:

15And 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.

16And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

17And 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:

18And 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.

20And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners [were] bound: and he was there in the prison.

21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that [were] in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer [of it].

23The 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Joseph, sold into Egypt, becomes overseer of Potiphar's house, prospering because the Lord is with him. Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce him, but Joseph refuses, fleeing her advances. Falsely accused, Joseph is cast into prison, yet the Lord remains with him, granting him favor with the prison keeper and causing all his endeavors to prosper there as well.

Medium Summary

Genesis 39 recounts Joseph's experiences in Egypt after being sold by his brethren. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, purchases Joseph, who quickly finds favor due to the Lord's presence and blessing upon his work. Joseph is appointed overseer of Potiphar's entire household, leading to the blessing of Potiphar's possessions for Joseph's sake. However, Potiphar's wife repeatedly attempts to entice Joseph to lie with her. Joseph steadfastly refuses, citing his loyalty to his master and, more importantly, his unwillingness to commit "this great wickedness, and sin against God." When she forcefully accosts him, Joseph flees, leaving his garment behind. Using the garment as false evidence, Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of assault. Enraged, Potiphar casts Joseph into the king's prison. Nevertheless, the Lord continues to be with Joseph, showing him mercy and granting him favor with the prison keeper, who entrusts all the prisoners and their affairs into Joseph's hand, for the Lord made all that he did to prosper.

Long Summary

Genesis chapter 39 details the early stages of Joseph's life in Egypt following his sale into slavery. He is acquired by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Immediately, the narrative emphasizes that "the LORD was with Joseph," resulting in his prosperity and his master's recognition of divine favor upon him. Joseph quickly finds grace in Potiphar's sight and is elevated to the position of overseer over all of Potiphar's house and possessions. This appointment leads to a significant blessing upon Potiphar's entire household and fields, explicitly stated to be "for Joseph's sake," demonstrating God's favor extending through Joseph. Potiphar places such trust in Joseph that he "knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat." Joseph, described as "a goodly person, and well favoured," then faces a severe trial. Potiphar's wife repeatedly casts her eyes upon him and solicits him to lie with her. Joseph consistently refuses, explaining his refusal by highlighting the immense trust Potiphar has placed in him, withholding nothing but his wife, and, crucially, stating, "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Despite her daily persistence, Joseph does not yield. One day, when Joseph enters the house alone to perform his duties, she seizes him by his garment, demanding he lie with her. Joseph flees, leaving his garment in her hand. Infuriated and seeking to cover her own actions, she falsely accuses Joseph to her household servants and then to Potiphar, claiming Joseph attempted to mock her and lie with her, presenting his garment as proof. Upon hearing his wife's words, Potiphar's wrath is kindled, and he commits Joseph to the king's prison. Yet, even in this dire circumstance, the chapter concludes with the reaffirmation that "the LORD was with Joseph," showing him mercy and granting him favor with the keeper of the prison. Consequently, the keeper entrusts all the prisoners and their work to Joseph's charge, for the Lord made all that Joseph did to prosper.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Presence and ProsperityThe Lord's constant presence with Joseph is repeatedly emphasized, directly correlating with his prosperity and success in all his endeavors, both in Potiphar's house and in prison.
  • Integrity and Moral ResistanceJoseph demonstrates unwavering integrity by refusing Potiphar's wife's advances, not only out of loyalty to his master but primarily out of a profound conviction that such an act would be "great wickedness, and sin against God."
  • False Accusation and InjusticeJoseph becomes a victim of false accusation by Potiphar's wife, who manipulates circumstances and uses his garment as fabricated evidence to unjustly imprison him.
  • Divine Favor in AdversityDespite being unjustly imprisoned, Joseph continues to experience the Lord's favor, which grants him mercy and a position of trust and authority even within the confines of the prison.
  • Stewardship and TrustJoseph is entrusted with significant responsibility, first over Potiphar's entire household and then over the prison, demonstrating his capability and the trust placed in him, which is attributed to the Lord's blessing.
  • The Blessing for Joseph's SakeThe chapter explicitly states that Potiphar's house was blessed by the Lord "for Joseph's sake," illustrating how God's favor on an individual can extend to those around them.