Genesis 39:4

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּמְצָ֨א found H4672
וַיִּמְצָ֨א found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
יוֹסֵ֥ף And Joseph H3130
יוֹסֵ֥ף And Joseph
Strong's: H3130
Word #: 2 of 14
joseph, the name of seven israelites
חֵ֛ן grace H2580
חֵ֛ן grace
Strong's: H2580
Word #: 3 of 14
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינָ֖יו in his sight H5869
בְּעֵינָ֖יו in his sight
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 4 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַיְשָׁ֣רֶת and he served H8334
וַיְשָׁ֣רֶת and he served
Strong's: H8334
Word #: 5 of 14
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
אֹת֑וֹ H853
אֹת֑וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיַּפְקִדֵ֙הוּ֙ him and he made him overseer H6485
וַיַּפְקִדֵ֙הוּ֙ him and he made him overseer
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 7 of 14
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֵּית֔וֹ over his house H1004
בֵּית֔וֹ over his house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 9 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֶשׁ and all that he had H3426
יֶשׁ and all that he had
Strong's: H3426
Word #: 11 of 14
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
ל֖וֹ H0
ל֖וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 14
נָתַ֥ן he put H5414
נָתַ֥ן he put
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 13 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ into his hand H3027
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ into his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 14 of 14
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

Cross References

Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Proverbs 27:18Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.Genesis 24:2And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:Genesis 19:19Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:Genesis 39:8But 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;Proverbs 22:29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.Proverbs 17:2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.Proverbs 16:7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.Genesis 18:3And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:Genesis 33:10And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

Analysis & Commentary

And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and... 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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