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.
What does Genesis 39:1 mean?
Our enemies may strip us of outward distinctions and ornaments; but wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 39:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 39:1
Joseph fares well with his first master. "Potiphar." This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 37 :"The Lord;" the God of covenant is with Joseph. "In the house." Joseph was a domestic servant. "And his master saw." The prosperity that attended all Joseph's doings was so striking as to show that the Lord was with him. "Set him over" - made him overseer of all that was in his house. "The Lord blessed the Mizrite's house." He blesses those who bless his own Genesis 12:3 . "Beautiful in form and look" Genesis 29:17 . This prepares the way for the following occurrence.
Key words
- Joseph
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And Joseph was brought down to Egypt,.
- brought
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And Joseph was brought down to Egypt,.
- Egypt
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And Joseph was brought down to Egypt,.
Context in Genesis 39
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Genesis 39 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the Joseph narrative and Israel’s descent into Egypt. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Glossary
- Egypt Place
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The land of the Nile and the pyramids, the oldest kingdom of which we have any record, holds a place of great significance in Scripture. Modern identification: Ain Shams.