Genesis 39:6-23

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 39:6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:7

And it came to pass after these things ,.... After he was the overseer of his house; in which office, after he had been some time, so it was that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph ; he being a handsome young man, caught her eye, and that her heart, and led her on to lust after him, and frequently fed her eyes with amorous glances at him: and at length being fired with lust, and having an opportunity: she said , to him, in a bold and impudent manner, in plain words,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife ,.... Reasoning with her about the evil nature of the crime she tempted him to, which to commit would be ingratitude, as well as injury to his master, and a sin against God; by which it appears that Joseph was a partaker of the grace of God, and that this was in strong exercise at this time, by which he was preserved from the temptation he was beset with: behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house ; what goods or money are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:9

There is none greater in this house than I ,.... Not any of the servants of the house, he was the chief of them, who had all the rest under him; or rather, "he himself is not greater F17 איננו גדול "non ipse magnus", Montanus; "ne ipse quidem est me major", Junius & Tremellius, Munster, Fagius, Drusius, Mercerus, Cartwright. in this house than I"; that is, his master was not greater than he: he had a greater propriety in the house and the things of it, and he had the original... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:10

And it came to pass, that as she spake to Joseph day by day ,.... Continually, incessantly, hoping in time to prevail upon him to comply with her desires; so that the temptation, as it was strong, and very ensnaring, it was urgent, and frequent, and pressed with great importunity; which required the more grace and spiritual strength to resist: that he hearkened not unto her ; not only did not yield to her, but would not give her an hearing, at least as little as possible he could, lest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:11

And it came to pass about this time ,.... About a week, or a month, or rather a year, as Aben Ezra thinks, after she first began her solicitations to him. According to Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 4. sect. 3. , it was a public festival, at which women used to attend; but she excused herself, pretending illness; and so Jarchi takes it to be some noted day at the idol's temple, to which all used to go; but she pretended she was sick, and could not go, knowing that Joseph would not be... read more

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