Genesis 39:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:1-6

Here is, I. Joseph bought (Gen. 39:1), and he that bought him, whatever he gave for him, had a good bargain of him; it was better than the merchandise of silver. The Jews have a proverb, ?If the world did not know the worth of good men, they would hedge them about with pearls.? He was sold to an officer of Pharaoh, with whom he might get acquainted with public persons and public business, and so be fitted for the preferment for which he was designed. Note, 1. What God intends men for he will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:1

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt ,.... By the Ishmaelites, Genesis 37:28 ; as in a following clause: and Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian ; as his name also shows, which signifies the fruit of Pot or Phut, that is, the son or grandson of one of that name F13 Onomastic. Sacr. p. 671, 672. ; which might be common in Egypt, since it was the name of a son of Ham, Genesis 10:6 , from whom the land of Egypt is called the land of Ham, Psalm 105:23... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:1

An officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard - Mr. Ainsworth, supposing that his office merely consisted in having charge of the king's prisoners, calls Potiphar provost marshal! See Clarke on Genesis 37:36 ; (note), See Clarke on Genesis 40:3 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:1

Verse 1 1.And Joseph was brought down. For the purpose of connecting it with the remaining part of the history, Moses repeats what he had briefly touched upon, that Joseph had been sold to Potiphar the Egyptian: he then subjoins that God was with Joseph, so that he prospered in all things. For although it often happens that all things proceed with wicked men according to their wish, whom God nevertheless does not bless with his favor; still the sentiment is true and the expression of it proper,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt. The narrative now preparing to recite the fortunes of Joseph in Egypt, which eventually led, through his elevation to be Pharaoh's prime minister, first to the salvation of the patriarchal family, 'and finally to their settlement in Goshen, the historian reverts, in accordance with his usual practice, to a point of time antecedent to the incidents contained in the preceding chapter, and makes a new departure in his story from the moment of Joseph's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

Joseph is the house of Potiphar. I. PURCHASED AS A SLAVE . 1. A sad lot. Worse even than being kidnapped by strangers, Joseph had been first sold by his brethren; carried into Egypt, he had there been exposed for sale in a slave-market; and now, as if he had been a beast of burden or a captive taken in war, he had been a second time purchased for money. Few fortunes are more touchingly sorrowful or more deeply humiliating than this which was now measured out to Jacob's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

Sunshine and shadow. I. THE BRIGHTENING SKY . The advancement of Joseph in the house of Potiphar. 1. To Joseph's sense it was a lightening in his bondage. 2. To Joseph's faith it was the smiling of Jehovah's face. 3. To Joseph's hope it was the dawning of a better day. II. THE THREATENING CLOUD . The temptation of Joseph by his mistress. Here was— 1. An assault upon his virtue, which, unless it were overcome, would deprive him of Jehovah's favor, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

The righteous man. Again the word of the Lord tries Joseph, but not so much now as the word of prophecy, but as the word of command, the doctrine of righteousness. "The Egyptian's house is blessed for Joseph's sake." "The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man." A lesson on the true method of prosperity. A prosperous man is one who has the Lord with him— 1. To give him favor with fellow-men. 2. To teach him wisdom, and put things into his hand. 3. To give him the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 39:1-23

- 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 39:1

Genesis 39:1. And Joseph was brought down into Egypt The history of Joseph is one of the most remarkable, interesting, and instructive of any contained in the Scriptures or elsewhere. It affords us the clearest evidence of the providence of God conducting all things with amazing and stupendous wisdom, and making them “work together for good to those that love him;” nay, and causing even the wickedness of men to become subservient to the accomplishment of its designs. One design of God, with... read more

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