39 1 Joseph sold to Potiphar. 2 God prospereth him. 7 Potiphar’s wife tempteth him. 13, 20 He is accused and cast in prison. 23 God showeth him favor.
1 Now Joseph was brought down into Egypt: and Potiphar [a]an Eunuch of Pharaoh’s (and his chief steward an Egyptian) bought him at the hand of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him thither.
2 And the [b]Lord was with Joseph, and he was a man that prospered and was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him: and made him [c]ruler of his house, and put all that he had in his hand.
5 And from that time that he had made him ruler over his house and over all that he had, the Lord [d]blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake: and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
6 Therefore he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, [e]and took account of nothing, that was with him, save only of the bread, which he did eat. And Joseph was a fair person, and well favored.
7 Now therefore after these things, his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, [f]Lie with me.
8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what he hath in the house with me, but hath committed all that he had to mine hand.
9 There is no man greater in this house than I: neither hath he kept anything from me, but only thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness and so sin against [g]God?
10 And albeit she spake to Joseph day by day, yet he hearkened not unto her, to lie with her, or to be in her company.
11 Then on a certain day Joseph entered into the house to do his business: and there was no man of the household in the house.
12 Therefore she caught him by his garment, saying, Sleep with me: but he left his garment in her hand and fled, and got him out.
13 Now when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled out,
14 She called unto the men of her house, and told them, saying, Behold, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us [h]to mock us: who came in to me for to have slept with me: but I [i]cried with a loud voice.
15 And when he heard that I lift up my voice and cried, he left his garments with me, and fled away, and got him out.
16 So she laid up his garment by her, until her lord came home.
17 Then she told him [j]according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came into me, to mock me.
18 But as soon as I lift up my voice and cried, he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19 Then when his master heard the words of his wife, which she told him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me, his anger was kindled.
20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him in [k][l]prison, in the place, where the king’s prisoners lay bound: and there he was in prison.
21 ¶ But the Lord was with Joseph, and [m]showed him mercy, and got him favor in the sight of the [n]master of the prison.
22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison, and [o]whatsoever they did there, that did he.
23 And the keeper of the prison looked unto nothing that was under his hand, seeing that the Lord was with him: for whatsoever he did, the Lord made it to prosper.
Footnotes
- Genesis 39:1 Read Gen. 37:36.
- Genesis 39:2 The favor of God is the fountain of all prosperity.
- Genesis 39:4 Because God prospered him: and so he made religion to serve his profit.
- Genesis 39:5 The wicked are blessed by the company of the godly.
- Genesis 39:6 For he was assured that all things should prosper well: therefore he ate and drank and took no care.
- Genesis 39:7 In this word he declareth the sum whereunto all her flatteries did tend.
- Genesis 39:9 The fear of God preserved him against her continual tentations.
- Genesis 39:14 Or, to do us villainy and shame.
- Genesis 39:14 This declareth that where incontinence is, thereunto is joined extreme impudency and craft.
- Genesis 39:17 Or, after this manner.
- Genesis 39:20 Hebrew, in the prison house.
- Genesis 39:20 His evil intreatment in the prison may be gathered of Ps. 105:18.
- Genesis 39:21 Hebrew, inclined mercy unto him.
- Genesis 39:21 Or, lord.
- Genesis 39:22 That is, nothing was done without his commandment.