Keraia
Genesis 39

Genesis 39:1

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife · Genesis 39:1–12
Read Genesis 39

Translations

Modern
Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
Traditional
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
Literal
And Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guards, an Egyptian man, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.
Latin
Igitur Joseph ductus est in Ægyptum, emitque eum Putiphar eunuchus Pharaonis, princeps exercitus, vir ægyptius, de manu Ismaëlitarum, a quibus perductus erat.

Original

Hebrew
English
Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

Notes

Genesis 39:1–23

Joseph was honest and faithful in his work for Potiphar. This is very different from Judah, who failed morally (chapter 38). God was with Joseph (39:2–3, 21, 23). He helped Joseph succeed and become a blessing to others (see study notes on 12:1–9; 28:16–22), even while Joseph was a slave and later in prison.

Genesis 39:1–47:31

Joseph began as a slave, alienated from his brothers and separated from his father; he ended as Pharaoh’s viceroy. Through the trips to Egypt, the covenant family went from the brink of apostasy, divided by jealousy and deception, to being reconciled and united by Judah’s intercession and Joseph’s forgiveness.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Joseph Symbolic Numbers The Righteous Suffer

People

Ishmael: Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of Arab tribes Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt Pharaoh: Egyptian ruler during Joseph's time Potiphar: Egyptian official who bought Joseph as a slave

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Eunuch Genesis, Book of Ishmael Ishmeelite Jacob Joseph Patriarchs, Period of the Potiphar Slave, Slavery

Topics

Civil Service: Appointment In, on Account of Merit Egypt: Israel in Joseph Sold Into Ishmaelites: Merchants of, Buy Joseph Joseph: Son of Jacob is Falsely Accused, and Thrown Into Prison Potiphar: Joseph's Master