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Genesis Chapter 39 (JPS)

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Genesis Chapter 39 (JPS)
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1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither.

2 And HaShem 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 HaShem was with him, and that HaShem made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4 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.

5 And it came to pass from the time that he appointed him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that HaShem blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of HaShem 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, having him, he knew not aught save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon.

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, having me, knoweth not what is in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand;

9 he is not 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 G-d?'

10 And it came to pass, as she spoke 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 on a certain day, when he went into the house to do his work, and there was none of the men of the house there within,

12 that 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 spoke unto them, saying: 'See, he hath brought in a 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 by me, and fled, and got him out.'

16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.

17 And she spoke unto him according to these words, saying: 'The Hebrew servant, whom 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 by me, and fled out.'

19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke 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, the place where the king's prisoners were bound; and he was there in the prison.

21 But HaShem was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, 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 HaShem was with him; and that which he did, HaShem made it to prosper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to Joseph in Potiphar's house in Genesis 39?
Sold to Potiphar in Egypt, Joseph prospers as overseer of his master's house because the LORD is with him; when Potiphar's wife repeatedly tries to seduce him and he refuses and flees, she falsely accuses him, and Joseph is thrown into prison, where he again finds favor and is put in charge of the other prisoners.
Why did Joseph refuse Potiphar's wife?
Joseph told her he couldn't betray his master's trust or 'sin against God' by lying with her (verses 8-9), and when she grabbed his garment he fled, leaving it behind — the item she then used as false evidence against him.
How did Joseph fare even in prison?
Verses 21-23 say the LORD was with Joseph even in prison, giving him favor with the keeper, who put him in charge of all the other prisoners and everything done there — the same kind of divine favor described of David in 1 Samuel 18:14.

Today's Verse

but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:

Daniel 2:28 | ASV

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