Genesis 39:1-20

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:7-12

Here is, I. A most shameful instance of impudence and immodesty in Joseph's mistress, the shame and scandal of her sex, perfectly lost to all virtue and honour, and not to be mentioned, nor thought of, without the utmost indignation. It was well that she was an Egyptian; for we must have shared in the confusion if such folly had been found in Israel. Observe, I. Her sin began in the eye: She cast her eyes upon Joseph (Gen. 39:7), who was a goodly person, and well-favoured, Gen. 39:6. Note,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:13-18

Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to make him a criminal, now endeavours to represent him as one; so to be revenged on him for his virtue. Now was her love turned into the utmost rage and malice, and she pretends she cannot endure the sight of him whom awhile ago she could not endure out of her sight. Chaste and holy love will continue, though slighted; but sinful love, like Amnon's to Tamar, is easily changed into sinful hatred. 1. She accused him to his fellow servants (Gen. 39:13-15)... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:19-23

Here is, 1. Joseph wronged by his master. He believed the accusation, and either Joseph durst not make his defence by telling the truth, as it would reflect too much upon his mistress, or his master would not hear it, or would not believe it, and there is no remedy, he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment, Gen. 39:19, 20. God restrained his wrath, else he had put him to death; and that wrath which imprisoned him God made to turn to his praise, in order to which Providence so disposed that he... 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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:6

And he left all he had in Joseph's hand ;.... His master took no care of anything, but committed all to him, trusted him with his money and with his accounts, and with the management of all his affairs; such confidence did he put in him: and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat ; some understand this of Joseph, that though he had all his master's substance in his hands, yet he made no use of it for himself, enjoyed nothing of it but the bread he ate; and it is the... read more

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