When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is what your slave did to me," he burned with anger. When his master heardThe phrase "when his master heard" indicates a pivotal moment of decision and reaction. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a master's authority was absolute, and his response would have significant consequences. This moment underscores the weight of authority and the responsibility that comes with it, reminding us of the importance of discernment and justice in leadership. the account his wife told him
The "story" refers to the account given by Potiphar's wife, which is a fabrication. The Hebrew word for "story" is "דָּבָר" (dabar), which can mean word, matter, or thing. This highlights the power of words to shape perceptions and influence actions. In a historical context, the testimony of a wife would carry significant weight, especially against a slave. This serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for deceit and the need for truthfulness. saying, 'This is what your slave did to me,'
The phrase "This is what your slave did to me" is a direct accusation. The term "slave" (עֶבֶד, ebed) emphasizes Joseph's lowly status and vulnerability. In the ancient world, slaves had little to no rights, and their word was often disregarded against that of their masters. This highlights the theme of injustice and the trials faced by the righteous, as Joseph is falsely accused despite his integrity. he burned with anger
The phrase "he burned with anger" conveys an intense emotional response. The Hebrew root for "burned" is "חָרָה" (charah), which suggests a kindling or blazing of anger. This reaction is understandable given the perceived betrayal and violation of trust. However, it also reflects the human tendency to react impulsively to accusations without seeking the full truth. This serves as a reminder of the importance of patience and seeking God's wisdom in moments of anger and decision-making. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosephA Hebrew slave in Egypt, known for his integrity and faithfulness to God. He is the central figure in this account, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. 2. PotipharAn Egyptian officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. He is Joseph's master and the one who hears the false accusation against Joseph. 3. Potiphar's WifeThe unnamed wife of Potiphar who falsely accuses Joseph of attempting to assault her after he refuses her advances. 4. EgyptThe setting of this account, where Joseph is living as a slave after being sold by his brothers. 5. False AccusationThe event where Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of wrongdoing, leading to his imprisonment. Teaching Points Integrity in AdversityJoseph's account teaches us the importance of maintaining integrity even when falsely accused or misunderstood. His commitment to righteousness, despite the consequences, is a model for believers. God's SovereigntyDespite the injustice Joseph faces, God's sovereign plan is at work. This reminds us that God can use even the most difficult circumstances for His purposes. The Cost of RighteousnessStanding for what is right may lead to personal loss or suffering, as seen in Joseph's imprisonment. Believers are called to trust God through these trials. The Power of False AccusationsThis account highlights the destructive power of false accusations and the importance of seeking truth and justice. Faithfulness in ServiceJoseph's faithfulness in serving Potiphar, even as a slave, is a testament to serving God wholeheartedly in all circumstances. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joseph's response to Potiphar's wife's advances demonstrate his commitment to God, and how can we apply this in our own lives when facing temptation? 2. In what ways does Joseph's experience in Genesis 39:19 reflect the theme of suffering for righteousness' sake found in 1 Peter 2:19-20? 3. How can we find comfort in God's sovereignty when we face false accusations or unjust treatment, as Joseph did? 4. What lessons can we learn from Joseph's integrity and faithfulness that can be applied to our work or service environments today? 5. How does the account of Joseph in Genesis 39 encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when our circumstances seem unjust or challenging? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 37Provides background on Joseph's journey to Egypt, including his brothers' betrayal and sale into slavery. Genesis 39:2-6Highlights Joseph's success and favor in Potiphar's house due to God's presence with him, setting the stage for the conflict. Psalm 105:17-19Reflects on Joseph's trials and God's purpose in them, emphasizing God's sovereignty and faithfulness. 1 Peter 2:19-20Discusses enduring unjust suffering for doing good, which parallels Joseph's experience. People Ishmaelites, Joseph, Pharaoh, PotipharPlaces EgyptTopics Account, Anger, Angry, Bondman, Burned, Burneth, Heareth, Hearing, Kindled, Manner, Master, Pass, Saying, Servant, Slave, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Story, Treated, Wife, Wife's, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 39:19 5461 prisoners Genesis 39:7-20 5404 masters
5951 slander Genesis 39:19-20 5348 injustice, nature and source
5501 reward, human
5568 suffering, causes Library Goodness in a Dungeon
'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. But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureJoseph
(Preached on the Sunday before the Wedding of the Prince of Wales. March 8th, third Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxxix. 9. How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? The story of Joseph is one which will go home to all healthy hearts. Every child can understand, every child can feel with it. It is a story for all men and all times. Even if it had not been true, and not real fact, but a romance of man's invention, it would have been loved and admired by men; far more then, when we know …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch The Complete Surrender.
Genesis 39:1-3.--Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him at the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian, and his master saw that the Lord was with him. We have in this passage an object lesson which teaches us what Christ is to us. Note: Joseph was a slave, but God was with him so distinctly …
Andrew Murray—The Master's Indwelling Seventh Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Resist Sin.
Text: Romans 6, 19-23. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification. 20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. 21 What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Tests of Love to God
LET us test ourselves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God. For the deciding of this, as our love will be best seen by the fruits of it, I shall lay down fourteen signs, or fruits, of love to God, and it concerns us to search carefully whether any of these fruits grow in our garden. 1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 39:19 NIVGenesis 39:19 NLTGenesis 39:19 ESVGenesis 39:19 NASBGenesis 39:19 KJV
Genesis 39:19 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
