1 Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. 2 Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 His master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did prosper in his hand. 4 Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 It happened from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Yahweh was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. 6 He left all that he had in Joseph's hand. He didn't concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome. 7 It happened after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph; and she said, "Lie with me." 8 But he refused, and said to his master's wife, "Behold, my master doesn't know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has into my hand. 9 He isn't greater in this house than I, neither has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" 10 As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn't listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 About this time, he went into the house to do his work, and there were none of the men of the house inside. 12 She caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside. 13 When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had run outside, 14 she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, "Behold, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice. 15 It happened, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and ran outside." 16 She laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. 17 She spoke to him according to these words, saying, "The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me, 18 and it happened, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and ran outside." 19 It happened, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, "This is what your servant did to me," that his wrath was kindled. 20 Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody. 21 But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, he was responsible for it. 23 The keeper of the prison didn't look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper.
Joseph, being brought to Potiphar's house, prospers in all his undertakings, Genesis 39:1-3. Potiphar makes him his overseer, Genesis 39:4. Is prospered in all his concerns for Joseph's sake, in whom he puts unlimited confidence, Genesis 39:5, Genesis 39:6. The wife of Potiphar solicits him to criminal correspondence, Genesis 39:7. He refuses, and makes a fine apology for his conduct, Genesis 39:8, Genesis 39:9. She continues her solicitations, and he his refusals, Genesis 39:10. She uses violence, and he escapes from her hand, Genesis 39:11-13. She accuses him to the domestics, Genesis 39:14, Genesis 39:15, and afterward to Potiphar, Genesis 39:16-18. Potiphar is enraged, and Joseph is cast into prison, Genesis 39:19, Genesis 39:20. The Lord prospers him, and gives him great favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison, Genesis 39:21, who entrusts him with the care of the house and all the prisoners, Genesis 39:22, Genesis 39:23.
INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 39
In this chapter the history returns to Joseph again, who being brought down to Egypt was sold to Potiphar, with whom he found favour, and who set him over his house, the Lord prospering everything in his hands, Genesis 39:1; and being a young man of a comely aspect, his mistress lusted after him, and tempted him to lie with her from time to time, but he as constantly refused it, as being both ingratitude to his master, and a sin against God, Genesis 39:7; at a certain time they being alone in the house, she renewed her solicitations, and laid hold on his garment, which he left in her hand and fled, Genesis 39:11; upon which she called to her servants without, and accused Joseph of an ill design upon her, and reported the same to her husband when he came home, Genesis 39:13; upon which his master put him into prison, but he found favour also with the keeper of it, who committed the prisoners and all things relative to them into his hands, Genesis 39:20.
(Genesis 39:1-6) Joseph preferred by Potiphar.
(Genesis 39:7-12) Joseph resists temptation.
(Genesis 39:13-18) Joseph is falsely accused by his mistress.
(Genesis 39:19-23) He is cast into prison, God is with him there.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.