Genesis 39:23

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

אֵ֣ין׀ H369
אֵ֣ין׀
Strong's: H369
Word #: 1 of 17
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
שַׂ֣ר The keeper H8269
שַׂ֣ר The keeper
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 2 of 17
a head person (of any rank or class)
בֵּית of the prison H1004
בֵּית of the prison
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 3 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַסֹּ֗הַר H5470
הַסֹּ֗הַר
Strong's: H5470
Word #: 4 of 17
a dungeon (as surrounded by walls)
רֹאֶ֤ה looked H7200
רֹאֶ֤ה looked
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 5 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶֽת H853
אֶֽת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְא֙וּמָה֙ not to any thing H3972
מְא֙וּמָה֙ not to any thing
Strong's: H3972
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
בְּיָד֔וֹ that was under his hand H3027
בְּיָד֔וֹ that was under his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 9 of 17
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
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִתּ֑וֹ H854
אִתּ֑וֹ
Strong's: H854
Word #: 12 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַֽאֲשֶׁר H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 14 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עֹשֶׂ֖ה was with him and that which he did H6213
עֹשֶׂ֖ה was with him and that which he did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 15 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָ֥ה because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 16 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מַצְלִֽיחַ׃ made it to prosper H6743
מַצְלִֽיחַ׃ made it to prosper
Strong's: H6743
Word #: 17 of 17
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Analysis & Commentary

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with ... 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.

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