Genesis 39:2-5

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 39:2

And the Lord was with Joseph ,.... Blessing him with his gracious presence, with discoveries of his love, and communion with himself, though destitute of the means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; favouring him with bodily health, and protecting him from all evils and enemies: and he was a prosperous man ; in worldly things, and which was owing to the presence of God with him, and his blessing on him: and he was in the house of his master the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:3

And his master saw that the Lord was with him ,.... He knew nothing of the spiritual and gracious presence of God that was with him, he was no judge of that; but he perceived by the ingenuity of his mind, by his ready and speedy learning the Egyptian language, by his dexterity in business, and by the prudence and faithfulness with which he did everything, that he was highly favoured by the divine Being, and had great endowments bestowed upon him, and was an extraordinary person for his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:4

And Joseph found grace in his sight ,.... In the sight of his master, as he did in the sight of God, he had favour both with God and man; his master had a high esteem of him, and a great value for him, and showed him much kindness and respect: and he served him ; readily, willingly, cheerfully, and faithfully; or he served him personally; his master took such a liking to him, that he selected him from the rest of his servants to wait on his person, and to be what we now call a "valet de... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:5

And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had ,.... How long he was in this office is not certain; there must be some time for the following observation; and during all the time he was in it, it was easily discerned: that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake ; that is, much more than before; everything under his hands succeeded before, but now much more abundantly; Potiphar's family was blessed with health, his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:4

He made him overseer - הפקיד hiphkid , from פקד pakad , to visit, take care of, superintend; the same as επισκοπος , overseer or bishop, among the Greeks. This is the term by which the Septuagint often express the meaning of the original. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:3

Verse 3 3.And his master saw. Here that which has been lately alluded to more clearly appears, that the grace of God shone forth in Joseph, in no common or usual manner; since it became thus manifest to a man who was a heathen, and, in this respect, blind. How much more base is our ingratitude, if we do not refer all our prosperous events to God as their author; seeing that Scripture often teaches us, that nothing proceeding from men, whether counsels, or labors, or any means which they can... 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

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