Bible Commentary

Genesis 39:5

Genesis 39:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

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 Joseph's sake (cf. ); and the blessing of the Lord (Jehovah) was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. It is observable that throughout this chapter, when the historian is speaking in his own name the term Jehovah is used to designate the Supreme Being (cf. , ), whereas when Joseph replies to his mistress it is the word Elohim which he employs, the reason of which is sufficiently obvious.

—And (accordingly, encouraged by the admirable success attending Joseph's management) he left all that he had in Joseph's hand (i.e. gave him unrestricted control over all his temporal affairs); and he knew not ought he had (literally, he knew not anything with him, i.e. he shared not the care of anything along with him), save the bread which he did eat. This was necessitated by the laws of caste which then prevailed among the Egyptians, and in particular' by the fact that " the Egyptians might not eat with the Hebrews (). And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored—literally, beautiful is form and beautiful in appearance, like his mother Rachel ().

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Genesis 39 — OverviewGenesis 39 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleAt this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him here, I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house (ver. 1), and yet there greatly honoured and favoured, 1. By the providence of God, which made him, in…Genesis 39 — OverviewGenesis 39 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeGenesis 39:1, Joseph is bought by Potiphar, and preferred in the family; Genesis 39:7, He resists his mistress’s temptation; Genesis 39:13, He is falsely accused by her; Genesis 39:20, He is cast into prison; Genesis…Genesis 39 — OverviewGenesis 39 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter the history returns to Joseph again, who being brought down to Egypt was sold to Potiphar, with whom he found favour, and who set him over his house, the Lord prospering everything in his hands, Ge 39:1;…Genesis 39:1-6Genesis 39:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere is, I. Joseph bought (v. 1), and he that bought him, whatever he gave for him, had a good bargain of him; it was better than the merchandise of silver. The Jews have a proverb, "If the world did but know…Genesis 39:1-6Genesis 39:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONGenesis 39:1-23Genesis 39:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryJoseph is the house of Potiphar. I. PURCHASED AS A SLAVE. 1. A sad lot. Worse even than being kidnapped by strangers, Joseph had been first sold by his brethren; carried into Egypt, he had there been exposed for sale…