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._ Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, х_ BªBEEYT_ (H1004) _ HACOHAR_ (H5470), house of the round tower, a fortified prison; Septuagint, eis to ochurooma, the fortress] - usually attached to the dwelling of such an officer as Potiphar. It was partly a subterranean dungeon (Genesis 41:14), though the brick-built walls rose considerably above the surface of the ground, and were surmounted by a vaulted roof, somewhat in the form of an inverted bowl. Into such a dungeon Potiphar, in the first ebullition of rage, threw Joseph, and ordered him to be subjected further to as great harshness of treatment ...

20._And put him into the prison_. Though Moses does not state with what degree of severity Joseph was afflicted at the beginning of his imprisonment, yet we readily gather that he was not allowed any liberty, but was thrust into some obscure dungeon. The authority of Potiphar was paramount; he had the keeper of the prison under his power, and at his disposal. What clemency could be hoped for from a man who was jealous and carried away with the vehemence of his anger? There is no doubt that what is related of Joseph in Psalms 105:18, “His feet were made fast in fetters, and the iron entered into his soul,” had been handed down by tradition from the fathers. What a reward of innocence! For, according to the flesh, he might ascribe whatever he was suffering to his integrity. Truly, in this temptation he must have mourned in great perplexity and anxiety before God. And thoug

19-23 Joseph's master believed the accusation. Potiphar, it is likely, chose that prison, because it was the worst; but God designed to open the way to Joseph's honour. Joseph was owned and righted by his God. He was away from all his friends and relations; he had none to help or comfort him; but the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy. Those that have a good conscience in a prison, have a good God there. God gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison; he trusted him to manage the affairs of the prison. A good man will do good wherever he is, and will be a blessing even in bonds and banishment. Let us not forget, through Joseph, to look unto Jesus, who suffered being tempted, yet without sin; who was slandered, and persecuted, and imprisoned, but without cause; who by the cross ascended to the throne. May we be enabled to follow the same path in submitting and in suf...

Verse Genesis 39:20. _PUT HIM INTO THE PRISON_] בית סהר _beith sohar_, literally the _round house_; in such a _form_ the prison was probably built....

- Joseph in Potiphar’s House According to our reckoning, Perez and Zerah were born when Judah was in his twenty-eighth year, and therefore, Joseph in his twenty-fourth. Here, then, we go back seven years to resume the story of Joseph. Genesis 39:1 Joseph fares well with his first master. “Potiphar.” This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 37: “The Lord;” the God of covenant is with Joseph. “In the house.” Joseph was a domestic servant. “And his master saw.” The prosperity that attended all Joseph’s doings was so striking as to show that the Lord was with him. “Set him over” - made him overseer of all that was in his house. “The Lord blessed the Mizrite’s house.” He blesses those who bless his own...

EXPOSITION GENESIS 39:7 AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS,—Joseph had by this time been nearly ten years in Potiphar's house (vide Genesis 41:46)—THAT HIS MASTER'S WIFE CAST HER EYES (lasciviously) UPON JOSEPH; AND SHE SAID, LIE WITH ME. According to monumental evidence and historical testimony (Herod; 2.111), Egyptian females, even though married, were distinguished for licentiousness and immorality, and were not condemned to live in seclusion (Bohlen), but were allowed freely to mix in promiscuous society, which facts perfectly account for Joseph's temptation by his mistress. GENESIS 39:8,...

AND JOSEPH'S MASTER TOOK HIM, AND PUT HIM INTO THE PRISON,.... Which was in or adjoining to his house, Genesis 40:3; of himself he had power to do this, as the captain of the guard; and as he was the chief of the executioners, as some take his office to be, it is much he did not in his passion deliver him up into their hands to put him to death at once; but it may be through the great respect he had had for Joseph, which was not wholly extinguished by this impeachment of him; and especially if he heard Joseph's apology for himself before he committed him, his passion might subside a little, though for the credit of his wife he might take this step; or however things were so overruled by the providence of God, who has the hearts of all men in his hands, that he should do what he did. The word for "prison" has the signification of roundness, and may be rendered the "round house" t, or "rou...

CHAPTER 39 JOSEPH IN EGYPT _ 1. In Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:1)_ 2. Tempted by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:7) 3. Joseph in prison (Genesis 39:19) Potiphar, the master of Joseph, was an officer of Pharaoh. His name means “devoted to Ra,” a god of Egypt. Why is it stated a number of times that Potiphar was an Egyptian? Discoveries have shown that Egypt had come at that time under a new dynasty; therefore it is repeatedly stated that Potiphar, the Egyptian, was retained in his official position. Joseph in Egypt is the type of Christ among the Gentiles. Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake. The temptation of Potiphar's wife brings out the marvelous character of Jos

GENESIS 39. JOSEPH REPELS HIS MASTER'S WIFE, AND IS IMPRISONED ON HER FALSE ACCUSATION. This section is from J with touches from E. It is generally agreed that Potiphar. guard is an insertion in Genesis 39:1. J represents Joseph as sold to an unnamed Egyptian; the governor of the prison is also unnamed. According to E, Joseph is sold to Potiphar the captain of the guard, and attends, not as himself a prisoner, but as Potiphar's slave (_cf. Genesis 41:12_), to the officers who are in custody in the house. Clearly, Joseph's mistress cannot have been the wife of Potiphar the captain of the guard, who entrusts him with the service of Pharaoh's officers (Genesis 40:4). The identification is made in Genesis 39 to harmonise the

The False Accusation 8. _knoweth not_, &c. Here, as in Genesis 39:6, the marg., _knoweth not with me what is_, gives the meaning of the passage....