Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. His master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did prosper in his hand. Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Yahweh’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.
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Genesis 39:2-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. His master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did prosper in his hand. Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Yahweh’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field. He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate. Joseph was well-built and handsome.
Parallel Translations
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Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
His master saw that Yahweh was with him, and that Yahweh made all that he did prosper in his hand.
Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Yahweh’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.
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And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
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.
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.
Show all 3 translations
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And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
And Joseph found favour in his sight, and he ministered unto him. And he appointed him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
And it came to pass from the time that he appointed 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.
Cross-references (68)
- 1 Samuel 18:14 (vv2–3) David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Yahweh was with him.
- Psalms 91:15 (v2) He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.
- Jeremiah 15:20 (v2) I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall. They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you; for I am with…
- Genesis 26:28 (vv2–3) They said, “We saw plainly that Yahweh was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let’s make…
- Acts 7:9-10 (v2) “The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions,…
Show all 60 cross-references
- Genesis 21:22 (vv2–3) At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do.
- Genesis 26:24 (vv2–3) Yahweh appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless…
- Isaiah 43:2 (v2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire,…
- Genesis 39:21-22 (vv2, 4) But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. The keeper of the…
- Psalms 1:3 (vv2–3) He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he…
- Genesis 28:15 (v2) Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you, until I have…
- Isaiah 41:10 (v2) Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will…
- Genesis 30:27 (vv3, 5) Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake.”
- 1 Samuel 16:18 (v2) Then one of the young men answered, and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man…
- Psalms 46:7 (v2) Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
- Psalms 46:11 (v2) Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
- 1 Samuel 3:19 (v2) Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
- 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 (v2) Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an…
- 1 Samuel 18:28 (vv2–3) Saul saw and knew that Yahweh was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him.
- Isaiah 8:9-10 (v2) Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for…
- 2 Samuel 6:11-12 (v5) Yahweh’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom and all his house. King David was told,…
- Titus 2:9-10 (v2) Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, not stealing, but…
- 2 Chronicles 26:5 (v3) He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought Yahweh, God made…
- Acts 27:24 (v5) saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
- Genesis 12:2 (v5) I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
- Psalms 72:17 (v5) His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.
- Matthew 5:16 (v3) Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Genesis 19:19 (v4) See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown to me in saving my…
- Genesis 24:2 (v4) Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh.
- Genesis 39:8 (v4) But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has put all that he has…
- Psalms 21:6 (v5) For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with joy in your presence.
- Proverbs 27:18 (v4) Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
- Matthew 1:23 (v2) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;” which is, being interpreted,…
- Acts 20:28 (v4) Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the…
- Ephesians 1:3 (v5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
- Genesis 18:3 (v4) and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant.
- Genesis 19:29 (v5) When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the overthrow, when he overthrew the…
- Genesis 33:10 (v4) Jacob said, “Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one…
- Deuteronomy 28:3-6 (v5) You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your…
- Proverbs 16:7 (v4) When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Proverbs 17:2 (v4) A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
- Proverbs 22:29 (v4) Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
- Philippians 2:15-16 (v3) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom…
- Genesis 15:2 (v4) Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- Genesis 30:30 (v3) For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will…
- Genesis 32:5 (v4) I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.’ ”
- Genesis 33:8 (v4) Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”
- Genesis 39:23 (v3) The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh…
- Genesis 41:40-41 (v4) You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh…
- Joshua 1:7-8 (v3) Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn…
- 1 Samuel 16:22 (v4) Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.”
- 1 Chronicles 22:13 (v3) Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and…
- Nehemiah 2:4-5 (v4) Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if…
- Nehemiah 2:20 (v3) Then I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have…
- Proverbs 14:35 (v4) The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
- Zechariah 8:23 (v3) Yahweh of Armies says: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of…
- Acts 8:31 (v2) He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
- 1 Corinthians 16:2 (v3) On the first day of every week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections are made when I come.
- 1 Timothy 6:1 (v2) Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be…
- Revelation 3:9 (v3) Behold, I give some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come…
60 distinct cross-references across this passage (68 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On v3 3. And his master saw. Here that which has…
3. And his master saw. Here that which has been lately alluded to more clearly appears, that the grace of God shone forth in Joseph, in no common or usual manner; since it became thus manifest to a man who was a heathen, and, in this respect, blind. How much more base is our ingratitude, if we do not refer all our prosperous events to God as their author; seeing that Scripture often teaches us, that nothing proceeding from men, whether counsels, or labors, or any means which they can devise, will profit them, except so far as God gives his blessing. And whereas Potiphar, on this account, conceived so much greater regard for Joseph, as to set him over his house; we hence gather, that heathens may be so affected by religion, as to be constrained to ascribe glory to God. However, his ingratitude again betrays itself, when he despises that God whose gifts he estimates so highly in the person of Joseph. He ought at least to have inquired who that God was, that he might conform himself to the worship due to him: but he deems it enough, insomuch as he thinks it will be for his private advantage, to acknowledge that Joseph was divinely directed, in order that he may use his labor with greater profit.
The lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. This was a wonderful method of procedure, that the entire blessing by which the Lord was pleased to testify his paternal love towards Joseph, should turn to the gain of the Egyptians. For since Joseph neither sowed nor reaped for himself, he was not at all enriched by his labor. But in this way it was brought about that a proud man, who otherwise might have abused him as a vile and sordid slave, should treat him humanely and liberally. And the Lord often soothes the wicked by such favors, lest when they have suffered any injury, they should turn the fury of their indignation against the pious. We here see how abundantly the grace of God is poured out upon the faithful, since a portion of his kindness flows from them even to the reprobate. We are also taught what an advantage it is to receive the elect children of God to our hospitality, or to join ourselves to those whom the divine favor thus accompanies, that it may diffuse its fragrance to those who are near them. But since it would not greatly profit us to be saturated with those temporal benefits of God, which suffocate and ruin the reprobate; we ought to center all our wishes on this one point, that God may be propitious to us. Far better was it for Joseph that Potiphar’s wealth should be increased for his sake; than it was for Potiphar to make great gain by Joseph.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5 The favor of God is the fountain of all…
The favor of God is the fountain of all prosperity.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Gen 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and…
Gen 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Ver. 2. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he, &c.] "The Lord" also "is with you, while ye be with him": {2Ch 15:2} and so long you may promise yourselves prosperity; that of Gaius, howsoever, - that your souls shall prosper; and for most part also, your outward estates. If it fall out otherwise, it is because God will have godliness admired for itself. If ungodly men prosper, it is that ease may slay them, {Pro 1:32} and "that they may perish for ever." {Psa 37:20} Moritur Zacharias Papa, rebus pro Ecclesiae salute et Apostolicae sedis dignitate, non tam pie quam prospere gestis, saith Sigonius. This was little to his commendation, - that he was not so pious as he was prosperous.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–4 The heathens owned a supreme God, and his overruling…
The heathens owned a supreme God, and his overruling providence in affairs, though they did not glorify him as God, but worshipped the creature with and more than the Creator, Rom 1:25.
In his hand, i.e. under his ministry, as this phrase is used, Exo 4:13; Lev 8:36; Pro 26:6, and oft elsewhere.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–5 And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Blessing him with…
And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Blessing him with his gracious presence, with discoveries of his love, and communion with himself, though destitute of the means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; favouring him with bodily health, and protecting him from all evils and enemies:
and he was a prosperous man; in worldly things, and which was owing to the presence of God with him, and his blessing on him:
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and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian; he continued there, and did not attempt to make his escape; or his employment lay chiefly, if not altogether, in the house, and herein he was prosperous, and continued to be so as long as he was in it; the Jews (n) say, he remained here twelve months. Near the pyramids built in the neighbourhood of Memphis, as is affirmed unanimously by the ancients, to this day is shown a hill, on which they say the house of Potiphar was built, whose servant the patriarch Joseph was, and some of the rubbish of the bricks are yet to be seen (o).
(n) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 2. p. 5. (o) Jablonski de Terra Goshen, Dissert. 6. sect. 6.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v2 Those that can separate us from all our friends,…
Those that can separate us from all our friends, cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph had none of his relations with him, he had his God with him, even in the house of the Egyptian: Joseph was banished from his father's house, but the Lord was with him. It is God's presence with us that makes all we do prosperous. Those that would prosper, must therefore make God their friend; and those that do prosper, must therefore give God the praise.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v4 Verse 4. He made him overseer] הפקיד hiphkid, from…
Verse 4. He made him overseer] הפקיד hiphkid, from פקד pakad, to visit, take care of, superintend; the same as επισκοπος, overseer or bishop, among the Greeks. This is the term by which the Septuagint often express the meaning of the original.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv2–4 Gen 39:2. The Lord was with Joseph — Those…
Gen 39:2. The Lord was with Joseph — Those that can separate us from all our friends cannot deprive us of the gracious presence of our God. When Joseph had none of his relations with him, he had his God with him, even in the house of the Egyptian: Joseph was banished from his father’s house, but the Lord was with him. It is God’s presence with us that makes all we do prosperous. Those that would prosper must therefore make God their friend; and those that do prosper must therefore give God the praise. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian — He did not endeavour, as might have been expected, to effect an escape to his father, but demeaned himself patiently and faithfully in the station into which God’s providence had brought him.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5 he was in the house of his master--Those slaves…
he was in the house of his master--Those slaves who had been war captives were generally sent to labor in the field and subjected to hard treatment under the "stick" of taskmasters. But those who were bought with money were employed in domestic purposes, were kindly treated, and enjoyed as much liberty as the same class does in modern Egypt.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v2 2. The Lord was with Joseph — The holy…
2. The Lord was with Joseph — The holy covenant God of Israel was not absent from his faithful servant. He ever encampeth round about them that fear him.
A prosperous man — Making to prosper whatever he undertook. Compare the Psalmist’s description of the blessed or happy man. Psa_1:3.
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He was in the house of his master — First as a house-servant, then overseer of all his possessions. Gen_39:4-6. Potiphar quickly discerned Joseph’s integrity and pious attention to all his affairs. He probably did not concern himself about the religious ideas of his slave, or learn from him any special doctrines of Jehovah. He doubtless adhered to his own Egyptian idolatries. But in Gen_39:2-6 the sacred historian shows that the integrity and prosperity of Joseph were due to the divine providence which favoured the faithful son of Israel.
“The great pictures of Egyptian civilization which are found in the monumental sepulchres, abound in representations of overseership in the house and in the field. Workmen are represented as engaged in various kinds of labour, such as gardening, farming, fishing, while the overseer watches and directs, and keeps the record of the work with a reed pen in a papyrus register. Division and subdivision of labour, and minute supervision, had at this time been carried to a high degree in this home of science and civilization. Great native talent as well as integrity is displayed in this sudden rise of a shepherd-lad, sold as a slave into such a land as Egypt. We see here unmistakable signs of superior abilities, which serve to explain the previous envy of his brethren. A man so clearly born to command must have displayed something of his power and the natural bent of his genius in early youth.” — Newhall.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5 2. the Lord was with Joseph] This is the…
2. the Lord was with Joseph] This is the motif of the whole section. Jehovah stands by Joseph whether in trouble or in prosperity, in good report or in evil; cf. Gen_39:3; Gen_39:5; Gen_39:21; Gen_39:23. Joseph was one of those rare characters in which great personal attractiveness in manner and appearance was combined with high principle and good intellectual powers.
in the house] i.e. not sent out to labour in the field.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And his master saw that the Lord (Jehovah) was…
And his master saw that the Lord (Jehovah) was with him this does not imply that Potiphar was acquainted with Jehovah, but simply that he concluded Joseph to be under the Divine protectionand that the Lord (Jehovah) made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
That which led to the conviction of Potiphar concerning Joseph was the remarkable success which he saw attending all his efforts and undertakings.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5 His master saw that Yahweh was with him
His master saw that Yahweh was with him
This means that the master saw how Yahweh was helping Joseph. AT: "His master saw that Yahweh was helping him" (See: Idiom)
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that Yahweh prospered everything that he did
"Yahweh caused everything that Joseph did to prosper"
Joseph found favor in his sight
"To find favor" means to be approved by someone. The idiom "in his sight" refers to a person's opinion. Possible meanings are 1) AT: "Potiphar was pleased with Joseph" or 2) AT: "Yahweh was pleased with Joseph" (See: Idiom)
He served Potiphar
This means that he was Potiphar's personal servant.
Potiphar made Joseph manager over his house, and everything that he possessed
"Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and everything that belonged to Potiphar"
put under his care
When something is "put under someone's care," it means that the person is responsible for its care and safe-keeping. AT: "he had Joseph care for" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
lord
Yahweh
favor
manager
house
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv2, 5 39:2 God is mentioned for the first time (apart…
39:2 God is mentioned for the first time (apart from 38:7-10) since Jacob built his altar in Bethel (35:1-15); his covenant name, “the Lord,” is used for the first time since Jacob left Laban (31:49).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.