Genesis 39:5 - Exposition

And it same to pass from the time that he had made (literally, from that time he made ) him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that (literally, and) the Lord (Jehovah) blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake (cf. Genesis 30:12 ); and the blessing of the Lord (Jehovah) was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. It is observable that throughout this chapter, when the historian is speaking in his own name the term Jehovah is used to designate the Supreme Being (cf. Genesis 39:21 , Genesis 39:23 ), whereas when Joseph replies to his mistress it is the word Elohim which he employs, the reason of which is sufficiently obvious.

Genesis 39:6 — And (accordingly, encouraged by the admirable success attending Joseph's management) he left all that he had in Joseph's hand ( i.e. gave him unrestricted control over all his temporal affairs); and he knew not ought he had (literally, he knew not anything with him, i.e. he shared not the care of anything along with him), save the bread which he did eat. This was necessitated by the laws of caste which then prevailed among the Egyptians, and in particular' by the fact that " the Egyptians might not eat with the Hebrews ( Genesis 43:32 ). And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored —literally, beautiful is form and beautiful in appearance, like his mother Rachel ( Genesis 29:17 ).