GENESIS CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE OVERVIEW
Overall what is happening in this chapter is that Joseph is now in Egypt and a slave to Potiphar, but even though he has a respectful character he soon finds himself in prison.
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge (2010) – Genesis 39
Joseph is bought by Potiphar, and preferred in the family; (Genesis 39:1)
He resists his mistress’s temptation; (Genesis 39:7)
He is falsely accused by her; (Genesis 39:13)
He is cast into prison; (Genesis 39:20)
God is with him there, and he is advanced by the keeper of prison; (Genesis 39:21)
Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 39
The history of Joseph is resumed. Potiphar makes Joseph overseer of his house. Potiphar's wife solicits him to a criminal correspondence, and, upon his repeated refusals, accuses him to her husband, by whom he is cast into prison. He recommends himself to the keeper of the prison.
John Gill (1746) – Genesis 39
In this chapter the history returns to Joseph again, who being brought down to Egypt was sold to Potiphar, with whom he found favor, and who set him over his house, the Lord prospering everything in his hands, Genesis 39:1; and being a young man of a comely aspect, his mistress lusted after him, and tempted him to lie with her from time to time, but he as constantly refused it, as being both ingratitude to his master, and a sin against God, Genesis 39:7; at a certain time they being alone in the house, she renewed her solicitations, and laid hold on his garment, which he left in her hand and fled, Genesis 39:11; upon which she called to her servants without, and accused Joseph of an ill design upon her, and reported the same to her husband when he came home, Genesis 39:13; upon which his master put him into prison, but he found favor also with the keeper of it, who committed the prisoners and all things relative to them into his hands, Genesis 39:20.
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 39
At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him here:
I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:1), and yet there greatly honored and favored,
I. By the providence of God, which made him, in effect, a master (Genesis 39:2-6).
2. By the grace of God, which made him more than a conqueror over a strong temptation to uncleanness (Genesis 39:7-12).
II. We have him here a sufferer, falsely accused (Genesis 39:13-18), imprisoned (Genesis 39:19-20), and yet his imprisonment made both honorable and comfortable by the tokens of God's special presence with him (Genesis 39:21-23). And herein Joseph was a type of Christ, “who took upon him the form of a servant,” and yet then did that which made it evident that “God was with him,” who was tempted by Satan, but overcame the temptation, who was falsely accused and bound, and yet had all things committed to his hand.
KEY VERSE
Genesis 39:1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there.
KEY EVENT
Joseph resists Potiphar’s wife advances.
KEY CROSS-REFERENCE
After David had sex with Bathsheba he wrote:
Psalm 51:4 Against You (God), You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.
KEY THOUGHT
There is never a right time to do a wrong thing.
KEY QUOTE
“It is better to lose a good coat – than a good conscience.” Matthew Henry
