The History of Joseph. (b. c. 1717.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry · Public domain; electronic edition by Christian Classics Ethereal Library

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH. (B. C. 1717.)

We should not have had this story of Pharaoh's butler and baker recorded in scripture if it had not been serviceable to Joseph's preferment. The world stands for the sake of the church, and is governed for its good. Observe, 1. Two of the great officers of Pharaoh's court, having offended the king, are committed to prison. Note, High places are slippery places; nothing more uncertain than the favour of princes. Those that make God's favour their happiness, and his service their business, will find him a better Master than Pharaoh was, and not so extreme to mark what they do amiss. Many conjectures there are concerning the offence of these servants of Pharaoh; some make it no less than an attempt to take away his life, others no more than the casual lighting of a fly into his cup and a little sand into his bread. Whatever it was, Providence by this means brought them into the prison where Joseph was. 2. The captain of the guard himself, who was Potiphar, charged Joseph with them (Genesis 40:4), which intimates that he began now to be reconciled to him, and perhaps to be convinced of his innocence, though he durst not release him for fear of disobliging his wife. John Baptist must lose his head, to please Herodias.

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Matthew Henry on Genesis 40:1-19Genesis 40:1-19 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryIt 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1-23Genesis 40:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1Genesis 40:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd it came to pass (literally, and it was) after these things (literally, words, i.e. after the transactions just recorded), that the butler— מָשְׁקֶה, the hiph. part. of שָׁקָה, to drink, signifies one who causes to d…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1-23Genesis 40:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryJoseph in the round house at Heliopolis. I. THE PRISONERS AND THEIR ATTENDANT. 1. The prisoners. 2. Their attendant. In this new capacity Joseph behaved himself wisely and with discretion. With regard to his illustrious…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1-23Genesis 40:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe inspired man. Joseph is already supreme in the narrow sphere of the prison: "all was committed to his hand." The narrow sphere prepares him for the wider. The spiritual supremacy has now to be revealed. "Do not inte…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 40:1-19It 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…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1And it came to pass (literally, and it was) after these things (literally, words, i.e. after the transactions just recorded), that the butler— מָשְׁקֶה, the hiph. part. of שָׁקָה, to drink, signifies one who causes to d…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1-23The inspired man. Joseph is already supreme in the narrow sphere of the prison: "all was committed to his hand." The narrow sphere prepares him for the wider. The spiritual supremacy has now to be revealed. "Do not inte…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1-23Joseph in the round house at Heliopolis. I. THE PRISONERS AND THEIR ATTENDANT. 1. The prisoners. 2. Their attendant. In this new capacity Joseph behaved himself wisely and with discretion. With regard to his illustrious…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:1-23EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:2And Pharaoh was wroth—literally, broke forth (sc. into anger)—against two of his officers (vide Genesis 37:36) against the chief—sar: the word occurs in one of the oldest historical documents of ancient Egypt ('Inscript…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:3And he put them in ward (or in custody) in the house of the captain of the guard,—i.e. Potiphar (vide Genesis 37:36)—into the prison,—literally, house of enclosure (vide Genesis 39:20)—the place where Joseph was bound.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 40:4And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them (literally, set Joseph with them, i.e. as a companion or servant; to wait upon them, since they were high officers of State, not to keep watch over them as criminals…Joseph S. Exell and contributors