Genesis 39:1

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְיוֹסֵ֖ף And Joseph H3130
וְיוֹסֵ֖ף And Joseph
Strong's: H3130
Word #: 1 of 16
joseph, the name of seven israelites
הֽוֹרִדֻ֖הוּ was brought down H3381
הֽוֹרִדֻ֖הוּ was brought down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 2 of 16
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִצְרָ֑יְמָה to Egypt H4714
מִצְרָ֑יְמָה to Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 3 of 16
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וַיִּקְנֵ֡הוּ bought H7069
וַיִּקְנֵ֡הוּ bought
Strong's: H7069
Word #: 4 of 16
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
פּֽוֹטִיפַר֩ and Potiphar H6318
פּֽוֹטִיפַר֩ and Potiphar
Strong's: H6318
Word #: 5 of 16
potiphar, an egyptian
סְרִ֨יס an officer H5631
סְרִ֨יס an officer
Strong's: H5631
Word #: 6 of 16
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
פַּרְעֹ֜ה of Pharaoh H6547
פַּרְעֹ֜ה of Pharaoh
Strong's: H6547
Word #: 7 of 16
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
שַׂ֤ר captain H8269
שַׂ֤ר captain
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 8 of 16
a head person (of any rank or class)
הַטַּבָּחִים֙ of the guard H2876
הַטַּבָּחִים֙ of the guard
Strong's: H2876
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)
אִ֣ישׁ an Egyptian H376
אִ֣ישׁ an Egyptian
Strong's: H376
Word #: 10 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִצְרִ֔י H4713
מִצְרִ֔י
Strong's: H4713
Word #: 11 of 16
a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim
מִיַּד֙ him of the hands H3027
מִיַּד֙ him of the hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 12 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים of the Ishmeelites H3459
הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים of the Ishmeelites
Strong's: H3459
Word #: 13 of 16
a jishmaelite or descendant of jishmael
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֽוֹרִדֻ֖הוּ was brought down H3381
הֽוֹרִדֻ֖הוּ was brought down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 15 of 16
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
שָֽׁמָּה׃ H8033
שָֽׁמָּה׃
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 16 of 16
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis & Commentary

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an ... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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