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Genesis Chapter Study

Joseph in Potiphar's House and Prison

Genesis 39 (KJV)

Genesis 39 follows Joseph after he is taken into Egypt and placed in the house of Potiphar. Though Joseph has been betrayed, sold, and removed from his family, the chapter repeatedly shows that the LORD is with him. Joseph serves faithfully, resists temptation, suffers false accusation, and is cast into prison, yet God's favor remains upon him in every circumstance.

What You'll Learn

• How Joseph ended up in Potiphar's house
• Why the phrase “the LORD was with Joseph” matters
• How Joseph prospered even as a servant
• What Potiphar recognized about Joseph
• How Joseph resisted temptation from Potiphar's wife
• Why Joseph called sin an offense against God
• How Joseph responded when temptation became persistent
• Why Joseph was falsely accused
• How God showed Joseph mercy in prison
• What Genesis 39 teaches about faithfulness during injustice

Genesis 39 teaches that God's presence remains with His people even when they face temptation, injustice, false accusation, and suffering.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Genesis 39:1 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.

Genesis 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Genesis 39:4 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.

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, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Genesis 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Genesis 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Genesis 39:11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

Genesis 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Genesis 39:13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

Genesis 39:14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:

Genesis 39:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.

Genesis 39:16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

Genesis 39:17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

Genesis 39:18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

Genesis 39:19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

Genesis 39:20 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.

Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 39:22 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.

Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Genesis 39:1

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.

Study: Joseph arrives in Egypt as a slave after being sold by his brothers. Though his circumstances appear hopeless, God is moving Joseph into the very place where His larger plan will unfold.

Genesis 39:2

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Study: The key truth of the chapter appears here: the LORD was with Joseph. Joseph's prosperity did not come from easy circumstances but from God's presence with him in difficult circumstances.

Genesis 39:3

And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Study: Potiphar recognizes that Joseph is different. God's blessing on Joseph becomes visible even to an Egyptian master who does not belong to Joseph's covenant family.

Genesis 39:4

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.

Study: Joseph serves faithfully where God has placed him. Potiphar entrusts Joseph with great responsibility, showing that Joseph's character and work were marked by diligence and trustworthiness.

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, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Study: God's blessing on Joseph extends to Potiphar's household. This reflects the larger covenant pattern that God blesses others through the people He has chosen and set apart.

Genesis 39:6

And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Study: Potiphar trusts Joseph completely. The mention of Joseph's appearance prepares the reader for the temptation that will soon come through Potiphar's wife.

Genesis 39:7

And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Study: Joseph's test begins suddenly and directly. Temptation often comes when a person is gaining influence, responsibility, and favor.

Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Study: Joseph refuses immediately. He recognizes the trust Potiphar has placed in him and understands that giving in would betray that trust.

Genesis 39:9

There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Study: Joseph sees sin clearly. He understands that adultery would not only wrong Potiphar but would ultimately be sin against God.

Genesis 39:10

And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Study: The temptation is persistent, but Joseph remains firm. He does not negotiate with sin or allow himself to remain close to danger.

Genesis 39:11

And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

Study: Joseph is alone in a vulnerable situation. The setting intensifies the temptation and shows that integrity must remain firm even when no one else appears to be watching.

Genesis 39:12

And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Study: Joseph flees rather than remain near temptation. His response shows that sometimes the most faithful choice is not to argue, explain, or linger, but to run from sin.

Genesis 39:13

And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

Study: Joseph's garment becomes evidence that will be twisted against him. This continues a pattern in Joseph's life where clothing becomes connected to suffering and deception.

Genesis 39:14

That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:

Study: Potiphar's wife turns from temptation to false accusation. She shifts blame and uses Joseph's identity as a Hebrew to stir suspicion against him.

Genesis 39:15

And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.

Study: She presents Joseph's act of fleeing as proof of guilt. The truth is completely reversed, showing how injustice can make righteousness appear guilty.

Genesis 39:16

And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

Study: Potiphar's wife preserves the garment to support her false story. The accusation is deliberate, calculated, and intended to destroy Joseph's reputation.

Genesis 39:17

And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

Study: She repeats the accusation to Potiphar and subtly blames him for bringing Joseph into the house. Her words are designed to provoke anger and protect herself.

Genesis 39:18

And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

Study: The lie is repeated as if it were truth. Joseph has no recorded opportunity to defend himself, yet God still knows the truth and remains with him.

Genesis 39:19

And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

Study: Potiphar becomes angry after hearing his wife's accusation. Joseph's faithfulness now appears to cost him the position and trust he had gained.

Genesis 39:20

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.

Study: Joseph is imprisoned despite his innocence. Yet even this unjust suffering becomes part of God's providential plan to position Joseph for what comes next.

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Study: The chapter repeats its central truth: the LORD was with Joseph. God's presence did not keep Joseph out of prison, but God's mercy met Joseph inside the prison.

Genesis 39:22

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.

Study: Just as Joseph was entrusted with Potiphar's house, he is now entrusted with responsibility in prison. God's favor continues to produce trust and influence in unlikely places.

Genesis 39:23

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Study: Genesis 39 ends where it began: with the LORD making Joseph prosper. Joseph is still not free, but God is still with him, preparing him for the next stage of His plan.

Genesis 39 begins with Joseph being brought down to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Though Joseph is now a servant in a foreign land, the LORD is with him and causes his work to prosper. Potiphar notices God's blessing on Joseph and eventually places him over his entire household.

As Joseph gains responsibility and favor, he faces a serious temptation from Potiphar's wife. She repeatedly urges him to sin, but Joseph refuses. He recognizes that such an act would betray his master and, more importantly, would be sin against God. When she grabs his garment and pressures him again, Joseph flees, leaving the garment behind.

Potiphar's wife uses Joseph's garment to falsely accuse him, and Joseph is placed in prison despite his innocence. Yet even in prison, the LORD remains with Joseph, shows him mercy, and gives him favor with the keeper of the prison. Joseph is entrusted with responsibility over the prisoners, and the chapter closes by repeating that the LORD was with him and made what he did to prosper.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being present with Your people in every circumstance. Help me to remain faithful when life is difficult, when temptation is strong, and when doing what is right comes at a cost. Give me the courage to flee from sin and the wisdom to honor You when no one else is watching. Strengthen my integrity, guard my heart, and remind me that You are still working even in seasons of injustice and waiting. Help me trust Your plan and walk faithfully before You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

• Read Genesis 39 again and underline each phrase showing that the LORD was with Joseph
• Memorize Genesis 39:9
• Identify one area where you need to flee temptation more decisively
• Ask God to help you serve faithfully in your current circumstances
• Pray for integrity when no one else is watching
• Encourage someone who is walking through an unfair situation
• Thank God that His presence is not limited by your circumstances

Genesis 39 records Joseph's life in Egypt after being sold into slavery. Joseph is purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, and the LORD causes Joseph to prosper in his service. Potiphar entrusts Joseph with his household, and God's blessing rests on all that Joseph oversees. Joseph then faces repeated temptation from Potiphar's wife but refuses to sin against God. When he flees from her, she falsely accuses him, and Joseph is placed in prison. Even there, the LORD is with Joseph, shows him mercy, and gives him favor with the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39 teaches that God's presence remains with His people through service, temptation, injustice, and suffering.

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