Genesis study chapter

Genesis 39

c. 1700-1600 BCJoseph resists temptation and rises in Potiphar’s house.

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Key Verses: Genesis 39:2-3, 39:9, 39:21, 39:23

Joseph is brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, an Egyptian, buys him from the Ishmaelites. The LORD is with Joseph, and he becomes a successful man, in the house of his Egyptian master. His master sees the LORD is with him and the LORD causes all he does to succeed. Joseph finds favor in his sight, becoming his personal servant. Potiphar makes him overseer of his house and all he has. From the time he makes him overseer, the LORD blesses the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake-the LORD’s blessing is on all he has, in house and field. Potiphar leaves everything in Joseph’s charge, knowing nothing except the food he eats. Joseph is handsome in form and appearance. After a time, Potiphar’s wife casts her eyes on Joseph, saying, “Lie with me.” He refuses: “My master doesn’t concern himself with anything in the house; he’s put all he has in my charge. He’s not greater in this house than I am. He hasn’t withheld anything from me except you, because you’re his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” She speaks to Joseph day after day, but he refuses to lie beside her or be with her. One day Joseph goes into the house to do his work. None of the household men are there. She catches him by his garment, “Lie with me!” He leaves his garment in her hand and flees outside. Seeing he’s left his garment and fled, she calls to her household men, saying, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. When he heard me raise my voice and cry out, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.” She keeps his garment until his master comes home. She tells him the same story. Potiphar’s anger burns. He takes Joseph and puts him in prison where the king’s prisoners are kept. But the LORD is with Joseph, showing him steadfast love, giving him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. The keeper commits all prisoners to Joseph’s charge; whatever is done there, he does it. The keeper pays no attention to anything in Joseph’s charge because the LORD is with him, and whatever he does, the LORD makes it succeed.

This chapter demonstrates God’s faithfulness to Joseph despite false accusation and unjust imprisonment. Four times the phrase “the LORD was with Joseph” appears (39:2, 3, 21, 23), emphasizing divine presence in suffering. Joseph’s integrity shines-he refuses Potiphar’s wife not primarily because it would betray Potiphar’s trust (though he mentions that) but because it would be sin “against God.” This God-centered morality guides him even far from home. His question, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” shows that all sin is ultimately against God (cf. Psalm 51:4). Joseph’s fleeing is biblical wisdom-“flee youthful passions” (2 Timothy 2:22). Yet his righteousness leads to false accusation and imprisonment-suffering for doing right. This prefigures Christ, the righteous one unjustly condemned. Potiphar’s wife’s accusation invokes ethnic prejudice-“this Hebrew.” The garment left behind recalls his brothers stripping his robe (37:23)-both times a garment is used against him. Yet even in prison, God’s blessing continues. Joseph rises to leadership again, demonstrating consistent faithfulness and God’s sovereign plan unfolding through adversity.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife-identifying sin as primarily “against God” (39:9)-demonstrate a God-centered understanding of morality?
  2. What does the repeated refrain “the LORD was with Joseph” (39:2, 3, 21, 23) teach us about God’s presence during suffering and false accusation?
  3. How does Joseph’s unjust suffering for doing what’s right prefigure Christ, and what encouragement does this provide to believers who suffer for righteousness?