Potiphar. See note on Genesis 37:36 . guard = executioners. Egyptian. This is emphasized three times (verses: Genesis 39:1 , Genesis 39:2 , Genesis 39:5 ); because recent discoveries show that Egypt was at this time under a new dynasty; and emphasis is put on the fact that Potiphar, though an "Egyptian", was retained in high position. Ishmeelites. See note on chapter Genesis 37:25 . read more
"And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ismaelites, that had brought him down thither."This important verse does a number of things:It shows that the Ismaelites and Midianites of Genesis 37 were the same group of traders. It gives more fully the status of Potiphar, captain of the guard, an office that also included the directorship of the prisons, the deputy of Potiphar also being called,... read more
Genesis 39:1, &c.— And Joseph, &c.] Moses here resumes the history of Joseph, who, he informs us, was so particularly favoured by the Lord, that his blessing attended the house of Potiphar for Jacob's sake. Potiphar, sensible of this, and charmed with the goodness and fidelity of Joseph, raised him to the first place in his family, made him, Gen 39:4 his overseer, his major domo, whom the Romans called atriensis, to whom all the other servants were to be obedient, and put all he had... read more
1. Potiphar—This name, Potiphar, signifies one "devoted to the sun," the local deity of On or Heliopolis, a circumstance which fixes the place of his residence in the Delta, the district of Egypt bordering on Canaan. officer—literally, "prince of the Pharoah"—that is, in the service of government. captain of the guard—The import of the original term has been variously interpreted, some considering it means "chief cook," others, "chief inspector of plantations"; but that which seems best founded... read more
The clause "the Lord was with Joseph" occurs four times in this chapter (Genesis 39:2-3; Genesis 39:21; Genesis 39:23) and explains the reason for his success. The divine name "LORD," Yahweh, appears seven times in this chapter (Genesis 39:2-3 [twice], 5 [twice], 21, and 23) but only one other time in the Jacob toledot (Genesis 37:2 to Genesis 50:26): in Genesis 49:18. God had previously promised to be with Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:3; Genesis 26:24; Genesis 26:28; Genesis 28:15; Genesis... read more
Joseph in the House of Potiphar5. Overseer] rather, ’house-steward.’6. Potiphar left everything under Joseph’s control except his own food. There may be here an allusion to the strict caste laws of Egypt: cp. Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34.7. Joseph was yet but a youth, when temptations are strongest, and he was far removed from all the restraining influences of home. But He who was ’the fear of Isaac’ (Genesis 31:42) was ’the fear of Joseph ’also, and his resolute resistance to temptation... read more
Genesis 39:9 'How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' So said Joseph, alone with Potiphar's wife? The unhappy woman had been enticing Joseph, then about twenty-seven years old, to gross and grievous sin. Sin had mastered her; she was the insane slave of its power. Now, she in turn craved, by a sort of dreadful 'law of sin,' to drag down another soul with her in the pit. Joseph was not a glorified spirit. He was a young mortal man, subject to 'like passions' with ours. The... read more
JOSEPH IN PRISONGenesis 39:1-23"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life."- James 1:12DRAMATISTS and novelists, who make it their business to give accurate representations of human life, proceed upon the understanding that there is a plot in it, and that if you take the beginning or middle without the end, you must fail to comprehend these-prior parts. And a plot is pronounced good in proportion as, without violating truth to nature,... read more
CHAPTER 39 Joseph In Egypt 1. In Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:1-6 ) 2. Tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-18 ) 3. Joseph in prison (Genesis 39:19-23 ) Potiphar, the master of Joseph, was an officer of Pharaoh. His name means “devoted to Ra,” a god of Egypt. Why is it stated a number of times that Potiphar was an Egyptian? Discoveries have shown that Egypt had come at that time under a new dynasty; therefore it is repeatedly stated that Potiphar, the Egyptian, was retained in his... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23
Joseph’s rise to power (39:1-41:57)In contrast to Judah, Joseph was blameless in his behaviour in Egypt. Soon he was placed in charge of Potiphar’s household (39:1-6). When he rejected the immoral invitations of Potiphar’s wife, she turned against him bitterly and had him thrown into prison (7-20). Again his behaviour was blameless, and soon he was given a position of responsibility over the other prisoners (21-23).Among the prisoners who later joined Joseph were two of Pharaoh’s palace... read more