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¹ And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
² And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he 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 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
⁵ And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord 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 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
⁷ And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
⁸ But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
⁹ There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
¹⁰ And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
¹¹ And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
¹² And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
¹³ And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
¹⁴ That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
¹⁵ And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
¹⁶ And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
¹⁷ And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
¹⁸ And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
¹⁹ And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
²⁰ And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
²¹ But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
²² And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
²³ The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.
🌟 The Lord Was With Joseph – From the Pit to the Palace 🌟
“But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” – Genesis 39:21
Genesis 39 brings us into the powerful unfolding of Joseph’s journey in Egypt. Despite being sold into slavery, he rises in Potiphar’s house, only to be falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet, through it all, the Lord’s presence never leaves him. This chapter is a profound testimony to how divine favor can rest on a person even in the darkest seasons.
The trials Joseph faces—temptation, betrayal, injustice—are situations many believers today can relate to. But his story shows us that when God is with you, nothing can truly hold you back. The Lord’s hand turned every setback into a setup for Joseph’s destiny.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 39
Verses 1–6: Joseph Prospers in Potiphar’s House
Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. But the Lord is with Joseph, and everything he touches prospers. Potiphar takes notice, making Joseph overseer of his house.
- God’s presence brings success (v.2)
- Joseph earns trust through integrity and diligence
- Potiphar’s house is blessed for Joseph’s sake
This passage reveals how favor follows the faithful. The blessings extended to the entire household, echoing God’s promise in Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee…”
Verses 7–12: The Temptation by Potiphar’s Wife
Joseph is confronted with daily temptation by Potiphar’s wife. Despite her persistence, he refuses her advances, saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v.9).
- Joseph resists sin not just out of fear, but loyalty to God
- The devil often attacks during seasons of prosperity
- Character is proven when no one else is watching
Verses 13–20: False Accusation and Injustice
When Joseph refuses her again, Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses him. Potiphar is enraged and throws Joseph into prison, though the text hints he may have doubted his wife’s story.
- Even when innocent, God’s people may suffer injustice
- This moment parallels many who are slandered despite righteous living
- God allows the trial to reposition Joseph for a greater purpose
Verses 21–23: God’s Favor in Prison
Though now in prison, God is still with Joseph. The keeper of the prison commits all things into Joseph’s hand, just as Potiphar had.
- A setup for the next phase of God’s plan
- Divine favor is not limited to position—it’s tied to God’s presence
- Joseph’s leadership and integrity shine even in confinement
💡 Key Themes
✨ God’s Presence Transforms Any Situation
Whether in slavery or prison, God’s presence turns Joseph’s surroundings into places of growth and influence.
✨ Integrity in the Face of Temptation
Joseph shows us that resisting sin, even when it’s private and persistent, is a sign of deep spiritual maturity and fear of God.
✨ Divine Favor Amid Injustice
God’s plan often allows temporary suffering to shape us for eternal impact. What looks like a setback is a divine setup.
👤 Key People
- Joseph – A model of integrity, perseverance, and faith. God’s presence empowers him through trials.
- Potiphar – A high-ranking Egyptian who recognizes Joseph’s favor and entrusts him with great responsibility.
- Potiphar’s Wife – A tool of temptation and deception, representing worldly enticement and false accusation.
- The Prison Keeper – Another authority figure who, like Potiphar, is moved to trust Joseph due to God’s evident favor.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 39 teaches us how to walk faithfully even when life seems unfair. Joseph’s journey speaks to anyone who has been mistreated, overlooked, or falsely accused. It reminds us that God sees all and promotes those who remain faithful under pressure.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Are you remaining faithful when no one else is watching?
- How do you respond to unjust treatment?
- What areas of your life can still prosper because the Lord is with you?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Genesis Chapter 40
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