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The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:1-23
The righteous man. Again the word of the Lord tries Joseph, but not so much now as the word of prophecy, but as the word of command, the doctrine of righteousness. "The Egyptian's house is blessed for Joseph's sake." "T…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:2
And the Lord—Jehovah, as usual, because the entire chapter is the work of the Jehovist (Tuch, Colenso), with the exception of a few alterations by the redactor (Davidson), or because, though the work of the Elohist, it…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:3
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 protection—and that the Lord (Jehovah) ma…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:4
And Joseph found grace in his sight,—vide Genesis 6:8; Genesis 18:3; Genesis 19:19; Genesis 39:21. Most men are pleased with a good servant. Even Laban bad no objections to Jacob so long as he divided that Jehovah was m…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:5
And it same to pass from the time that he had made (literally, from that time he made) him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that (literally, and) the Lord (Jehovah) blessed the Egyptian's house for Josep…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:7-12
Beauty either in men or women, often proves a snare both to themselves and others. This forbids pride in it, and requires constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it. We have great need to make a covena…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:7-12
Here is, I. A most shameful instance of impudence and immodesty in Joseph's mistress, the shame and scandal of her sex, perfectly lost to all virtue and honour, and not to be mentioned, nor thought of, without the utmos…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:7-23
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:7
And it came to pass after these things,—Joseph had by this time been nearly ten years in Potiphar's house (vide Genesis 41:46)—that his master's wife cast her eyes (lasciviously) upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:7-23
Joseph and the wife of Potiphar. I. THE GREAT TEMPTATION. 1. The time of it. Never perhaps had Joseph's prospects been brighter since he left his father's house than towards the close of that decade of years which he sp…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:10
And it came to pass, as she spake—or, though she spake (Kalisch)—to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her (a euphemistic expression), or to be with her. Genesis 39:11, Genesis 39:12 And it cam…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:13-18
Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to make him a guilty man, endeavoured to be avenged on him. Those that have broken the bonds of modesty, will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is no new thing for the best…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:13-18
Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to make him a criminal, now endeavours to represent him as one; so to be revenged on him for his virtue. Now was her love turned into the utmost rage and malice, and she pretends…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:13-15
And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand (a very indiscreet act on the part of Joseph, considering the possible use that might be made of it), and was fled forth, that she called unto t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:16-18
And she laid up his garment by her (literally, by her side), until his lord came home (literally, until the coming of his lord to his house). And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant,…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:19-23
Joseph's master believed the accusation. Potiphar, it is likely, chose that prison, because it was the worst; but God designed to open the way to Joseph's honour. Joseph was owned and righted by his God. He was away fro…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:19-23
Here is, 1. Joseph wronged by his master. He believed the accusation, and either Joseph durst not make his defence by telling the truth, as it would reflect too much upon his mistress, or his master would not hear it, o…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:19
And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner (literally, according to these words) did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. A papyrus co…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:20
And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison,—literally house of enclosure; sohar, from sahar, to encircle, meaning probably a turreted, arched, or rounded building for the confinement of prisoners—a place…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:21
But (even if Joseph was harshly treated in the tower of Heliopolis) the Lord—Jehovah (vide on Genesis 39:5)—was with Joseph (vide Genesis 39:2), and showed him mercy (literally, extended kindness unto him), and gave him…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:21
Joseph in slavery. "But the Lord was with Joseph," &c. Men would have thought, as they looked on the Hebrew slave, that he was God-forsaken. Not so. God blessed him. This was evidenced in the character he developed. The…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:21
God's presence with his servants. Joseph in slavery, yet the Lord was with him (cf. Revelation 1:9). Twice stated in this chapter. Outward prosperity is no test of God's presence (cf. Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 39:22
Joseph as prison warden. "And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hands all the prisoners that were in the prison," &c. Joseph is unjustly treated and thrown into prison. Here he makes the best of circumstanc…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 40:1-19
It was not so much the prison that made the butler and baker sad, as their dreams. God has more ways than one to sadden the spirits. Joseph had compassion towards them. Let us be concerned for the sadness of our brethre…