And his master saw that the Lord (Jehovah) was with him —this does not imply that Potiphar was acquainted with Jehovah, but simply that he concluded Joseph to be under the Divine protection— and that the Lord (Jehovah) made all that he did to prosper in his hand. That which led to the conviction of Potiphar concerning Joseph was the remarkable success which he saw attending all his efforts and undertakings. read more
And Joseph found grace in his sight ,—vide Genesis 6:8 ; Genesis 18:3 ; Genesis 19:19 ; Genesis 39:21 . Most men are pleased with a good servant. Even Laban bad no objections to Jacob so long as he divided that Jehovah was multiplying his flocks for Jacob's sake ( Genesis 30:27 )— and he served him ( i.e. he waited on Potiphar, or acted as his personal attendant and comptroller of his household): and he ( i.e. Potiphar) made him overseer over his house, —a position... read more
And it same to pass from the time that he had made (literally, from that time he made ) him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that (literally, and) the Lord (Jehovah) blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake (cf. Genesis 30:12 ); and the blessing of the Lord (Jehovah) was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. It is observable that throughout this chapter, when the historian is speaking in his own name the term Jehovah is used to designate the... read more
- Joseph in Potiphar’s HouseAccording to our reckoning, Perez and Zerah were born when Judah was in his twenty-eighth year, and therefore, Joseph in his twenty-fourth. Here, then, we go back seven years to resume the story of Joseph.Genesis 39:1-6Joseph fares well with his first master. “Potiphar.” This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 37:0: “The Lord;” the God of covenant is with Joseph. “In the house.” Joseph was a domestic servant. “And his master saw.” The prosperity that... read more
Genesis 39:2. The Lord was with Joseph Those that can separate us from all our friends cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph had none of his relations with him, he had his God with him, even in the house of the Egyptian: Joseph was banished from his father’s house, but the Lord was with him. It is God’s presence with us that makes all we do prosperous. Those that would prosper must therefore make God their friend; and those that do prosper must therefore... read more
Genesis 39:3. His master saw that the Lord was with him Many of the heathen acknowledged a supreme God, and his overruling providence in the affairs of men, although they did not glorify him as God, but worshipped the creature with, and more than, the Creator: Potiphar, however, would doubtless learn from Joseph many things concerning the one living and true God; and proving by experience that his affairs prospered, and that Joseph ascribed this prosperity to the especial blessing of... read more
Genesis 39:4. He made him overseer over all that he had Committed all to his care and management. But it may be asked how this could be, since Joseph understood not the Egyptian language? In answer to which it may be observed, that, undoubtedly, as soon as he came thither he would do his utmost to obtain the knowledge of that language, and being a person of good parts, would soon obtain it, especially as there was a great affinity between that language and his own. Besides, it is not to be... read more
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
was = = it came to be. See Genesis 1:2 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:2
And the Lord —Jehovah, as usual, because the entire chapter is the work of the Jehovist (Tuch, Colenso), with the exception of a few alterations by the redactor (Davidson), or because, though the work of the Elohist, it has been modified by the Jehovistic editor (Bleek, Vaihinger); but more likely because the advancement of Joseph in Egypt was a special fruit of the theocratic promise which belonged to the patriarchal family (Hengstenberg, Quarry)— was with Joseph (cf. Genesis 39:21 ; ... read more