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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:1-6

Here is, I. Joseph bought (Gen. 39:1), and he that bought him, whatever he gave for him, had a good bargain of him; it was better than the merchandise of silver. The Jews have a proverb, ?If the world did not know the worth of good men, they would hedge them about with pearls.? He was sold to an officer of Pharaoh, with whom he might get acquainted with public persons and public business, and so be fitted for the preferment for which he was designed. Note, 1. What God intends men for he will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:1

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt ,.... By the Ishmaelites, Genesis 37:28 ; as in a following clause: and Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian ; as his name also shows, which signifies the fruit of Pot or Phut, that is, the son or grandson of one of that name F13 Onomastic. Sacr. p. 671, 672. ; which might be common in Egypt, since it was the name of a son of Ham, Genesis 10:6 , from whom the land of Egypt is called the land of Ham, Psalm 105:23... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:2

And the Lord was with Joseph ,.... Blessing him with his gracious presence, with discoveries of his love, and communion with himself, though destitute of the means of grace and ordinances of worship he enjoyed in his father's house; favouring him with bodily health, and protecting him from all evils and enemies: and he was a prosperous man ; in worldly things, and which was owing to the presence of God with him, and his blessing on him: and he was in the house of his master the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:3

And his master saw that the Lord was with him ,.... He knew nothing of the spiritual and gracious presence of God that was with him, he was no judge of that; but he perceived by the ingenuity of his mind, by his ready and speedy learning the Egyptian language, by his dexterity in business, and by the prudence and faithfulness with which he did everything, that he was highly favoured by the divine Being, and had great endowments bestowed upon him, and was an extraordinary person for his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:5

And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had ,.... How long he was in this office is not certain; there must be some time for the following observation; and during all the time he was in it, it was easily discerned: that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake ; that is, much more than before; everything under his hands succeeded before, but now much more abundantly; Potiphar's family was blessed with health, his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:6

And he left all he had in Joseph's hand ;.... His master took no care of anything, but committed all to him, trusted him with his money and with his accounts, and with the management of all his affairs; such confidence did he put in him: and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat ; some understand this of Joseph, that though he had all his master's substance in his hands, yet he made no use of it for himself, enjoyed nothing of it but the bread he ate; and it is the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:1

An officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard - Mr. Ainsworth, supposing that his office merely consisted in having charge of the king's prisoners, calls Potiphar provost marshal! See Clarke on Genesis 37:36 ; (note), See Clarke on Genesis 40:3 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:4

He made him overseer - הפקיד hiphkid , from פקד pakad , to visit, take care of, superintend; the same as επισκοπος , overseer or bishop, among the Greeks. This is the term by which the Septuagint often express the meaning of the original. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:6

Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored - מראה ויפה תאר יפה yepkeh thoar , vipheh mareh , beautiful in his person, and beautiful in his countenance. The same expressions are used relative to Rachel; see them explained Genesis 29:17 ; (note). The beauty of Joseph is celebrated over all the East, and the Persian poets vie with each other in descriptions of his comeliness. Mohammed spends the twelfth chapter of the Koran entirely on Joseph, and represents him as a perfect beauty,... read more

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