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BOOK 1 OF 66 · LAW · KING JAMES BIBLE

Genesis 39

Genesis book home•Chapter 39 of 50•23 verses
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REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Genesis 39 Overview

Genesis 39 returns to Joseph in Egypt. The LORD is with him, and Potiphar sees that his work prospers, placing him over the household. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly pressures Joseph to commit adultery, but Joseph refuses on moral and theological grounds. When he flees, leaving his garment behind, she falsely accuses him. Joseph is imprisoned, yet the LORD remains with him and gives him favor with the prison keeper.

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39Chapter
23Verses
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Before you read Genesis 39

Coming from

Genesis 38 develops Judah’s line while Joseph remains sold into Egypt.

In this chapter

Joseph’s circumstances fall from favored servant to prisoner, but God’s presence remains constant and Joseph chooses integrity under sustained temptation.

Leads into

Genesis 40 places Pharaoh’s imprisoned butler and baker under Joseph’s care and introduces Joseph’s dream interpretation in prison.

Key understanding

Genesis 39 returns to Joseph in Egypt. The LORD is with him, and Potiphar sees that his work prospers, placing him over the household. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly pressures Joseph to commit adultery, but Joseph refuses on moral and theological grounds. When he flees, leaving his garment behind, she falsely accuses him. Joseph is imprisoned, yet the LORD remains with him and gives him favor with the prison keeper.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

The LORD’s presence is emphasized both in Potiphar’s house and prison.

Truth 2

Faithful work earns trust under foreign authority.

Truth 3

Joseph defines adultery as wickedness and sin against God.

Truth 4

Fleeing temptation can still lead to false accusation and suffering.

Truth 5

External injustice does not equal divine abandonment.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

1 Corinthians 6 and 10 emphasize fleeing sexual immorality and temptation.

Connection 2

2 Timothy 2:22 likewise says to flee youthful lusts.

Connection 3

Acts 7 says God was with Joseph and delivered him out of afflictions.

Connection 4

Psalm 105 remembers Joseph’s imprisonment before exaltation.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Joseph’s prosperity is not proof that faithfulness always produces immediate favorable circumstances; the same faithful man is falsely imprisoned.

Keep this clear 2

The chapter depicts an abused power dynamic in which Joseph is repeatedly pressured by his master’s wife.

Keep this clear 3

The garment evidence is manipulated; physical evidence can be used deceptively.

Keep this clear 4

Joseph’s refusal is based on both loyalty to Potiphar and ultimate accountability to God.

Read Genesis 39 watching for…Explore deeper

Every repetition of “the LORD was with Joseph.”

The extent of Potiphar’s trust.

Joseph’s reasons for refusing.

The repeated nature of the temptation.

The parallel between household authority and prison authority.

TWBC REVIEW STANDARD

Plain language. Scripture first. Fact distinguished from inference. No filler. No fake certainty. Designed to help you read the Bible itself.

Chapter outline4 sections
1-6The LORD prospers Joseph in Potiphar's house7-12Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife13-20Joseph is falsely accused and imprisoned21-23The LORD gives Joseph favor in prison
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.

STUDY THIS VERSE

Genesis 39:23

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