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.
What does Genesis 39:4 mean?
Our enemies may strip us of outward distinctions and ornaments; but wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Genesis 39:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 39:4
And Joseph found grace in his sight,.... In the sight of his master, as he did in the sight of God, he had favour both with God and man; his master had a high esteem of him, and a great value for him, and showed him much kindness and respect: and he served him; readily, willingly, cheerfully, and faithfully; or he served him personally; his master took such a liking to him, that he selected him from the rest of his servants to wait on his person, and to be what we now call a "valet de chambre", whose business was to dress and undress him, to wait upon him at table, &c.
Key words
- Joseph
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And Joseph found grace in his sight,.
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And Joseph found grace in his sight,.
- grace
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And Joseph found grace in his sight,.
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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