Genesis 39

Genesis 39 follows Joseph after his brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian official and captain of Pharaoh’s guard, purchased Joseph. The Lord was with Joseph, blessing everything he did — and Potiphar noticed. As a result, Potiphar placed Joseph in charge of his entire household and possessions, and the Lord blessed Potiphar’s house because of Joseph.

Joseph was “a goodly person, and well favoured,” and he attracted the attention of Potiphar’s wife. She repeatedly propositioned Joseph, asking him to sleep with her, but Joseph consistently refused, explaining it would be a sin against God and a betrayal of his master’s trust. One day, when no one else was in the house, Potiphar’s wife caught Joseph by his cloak and demanded he sleep with her. Joseph fled, leaving his cloak behind in her hand.

Potiphar’s wife used Joseph’s cloak as evidence to falsely accuse him of attempted rape. She told her household servants and later her husband that Joseph had tried to assault her, but she had screamed, causing him to flee and leave his garment behind. When Potiphar heard this accusation, he became angry and had Joseph thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held.

Even in prison, the Lord remained with Joseph and showed him kindness. The prison warden noticed Joseph’s reliability and placed him in charge of all the other prisoners and prison operations. Whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it succeed, continuing to demonstrate His favor despite Joseph’s difficult circumstances.