Genesis 39:4 - Exposition

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 corresponding to that occupied by Eliezer in the household of Abraham ( Genesis 24:2 ). Egyptian monuments attest the existence of such an officer in wealthy houses at an early period; a tomb at Kum-el-Ahmar exhibiting the account books, writing materials, and clerks that pertain to the office of's steward, and another at Beni-hassan, besides displaying his accustomed implements, styling him the Overseer. A sepulchral inscription belonging to the period of the eleventh dynasty also mentions among the officers comprising the household of Ameni the chancellor Athorsi, the barber Khentikhrati, the slave Gefahapi, the lady's maid Khui, the steward Ameni, the steward Santit. Joseph had also, after his exaltation, a ruler or steward of his house (cf. Genesis 43:16 , Genesis 43:19 ; Genesis 44:1 )— and all that he had he put into his hand = literally, and all which was to him he gave into his hand, i.e. he entrusted to Joseph's cam).