John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:1-23
Joseph in the House of Potiphar5. Overseer] rather, ’house-steward.’6. Potiphar left everything under Joseph’s control except his own food. There may be here an allusion to the strict caste laws of Egypt: cp. Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34.7. Joseph was yet but a youth, when temptations are strongest, and he was far removed from all the restraining influences of home. But He who was ’the fear of Isaac’ (Genesis 31:42) was ’the fear of Joseph ’also, and his resolute resistance to temptation... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 39:7-23
Joseph was evidently in his mid-twenties at this time. He was in a "no win" position with Potiphar’s wife. As a slave he had to obey her, but as a trustworthy and moral servant of Potiphar he had to refuse her. The typical male clothing in patriarchal times consisted of mid-calf-length shorts and a tunic that resembled a long T-shirt (cf. Genesis 3:21; Genesis 37:3). [Note: Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 376.] Joseph regarded obedience to God as his primary responsibility (Genesis 39:9) and... read more