Joseph is bought by Potiphar and preferred in the family, 1-6. He resists his mistress's temptation, 7-12. He is falsely accused by her, 13-19. He is cast into prison, 20. God is with him there, and he is advanced by the keeper of the prison, 21-23.
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hands of the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 And the LORD 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 the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him, and he made 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 had made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake. And the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know anything that he had, except the bread which he ate. And Joseph was a handsome person and well favored.
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 to his master's wife, "Behold, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in his house than I am, neither has he kept back anything from me but you because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" 10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass, about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business, and there were none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." And he left his garment in her hand and fled and went out. 13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled forth, 14 That she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice. 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me and fled and went out." 16 And she laid up his garment by her until his lord came home. 17 And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, "The Hebrew servant which you have brought to us came in to me to mock me. 18 And it came to pass, as I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me and fled."
19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife which she spoke to him, saying, "After this manner your servant did to me," that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound, and he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. And whatever they did there was done by him. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look to anything that was under his hand because the LORD was with him. And that which he did the LORD made it to prosper.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Genesis, Chapter 39[➚]