Chapter 39
Verses 1-23: Joseph in Potiphar’s House
- 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.
- And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
- And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
- So 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.
- And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
- And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
- And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
- But 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;
- There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
- And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
- And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
- And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
- And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
- That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
- And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
- And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
- And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
- And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
- And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
- 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.
- But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
- And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
- 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.
Interpretation: In Genesis 39, the narrative continues to trace Joseph’s journey, now in Egypt as a servant to Potiphar. Despite his circumstances, Joseph’s integrity, faithfulness, and God’s favor upon him lead to success and trust from Potiphar. However, his righteousness also results in a trial when he is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, leading to his imprisonment. This chapter illustrates the theme of God’s presence and providence in the midst of injustice and suffering, showing that divine favor can sustain one’s spirit and cause them to prosper even in the most challenging conditions. Joseph’s experience in Potiphar’s house and subsequent imprisonment sets the stage for his eventual rise to power and influence in Egypt.
2 Responses
Genesis 39:1-6 – Joseph in Potiphar’s House
Verses 1-6 detail Joseph’s arrival in Egypt, his service to Potiphar, and his success due to the Lord’s presence with him. Kabbalistically, Joseph’s experience in Potiphar’s house reflects the Sefirah of Yesod, which represents foundation and righteousness, underscoring Joseph’s role as a righteous individual who channels divine blessings into the physical world. Quantum mechanically, Joseph’s rise in Potiphar’s house can be seen as a result of the coherence between his moral integrity and the potentialities offered by his new environment, where his alignment with divine will optimizes the outcomes of his actions.
Genesis 39:7-10 – The Temptation by Potiphar’s Wife
Verses 7-10 narrate Potiphar’s wife’s repeated attempts to seduce Joseph and his refusal to betray his master or sin against God. Kabbalistically, this scenario is a test of Gevurah (strength, restraint) against the temptations of the Yetzer Hara (the evil inclination), illustrating Joseph’s spiritual fortitude. Quantum mechanically, Joseph’s refusal introduces a quantum decision point, significantly impacting the narrative’s direction by maintaining his integrity, despite the potential for easier, immediate gains.
Genesis 39:11-18 – Joseph’s False Accusation
Verses 11-18 describe the false accusation made by Potiphar’s wife after Joseph flees from her advance, leaving his garment behind. Kabbalistically, the garment symbolizes Joseph’s Neshama (soul), which remains untainted despite the external allegations, embodying the concept of Tahara (purity). Quantum mechanically, the accusation acts as a measurement that alters Joseph’s quantum state from a free man to a prisoner, demonstrating how external perceptions and accusations can drastically change one’s life trajectory.
Genesis 39:19-23 – Joseph in Prison
Verses 19-23 recount Joseph’s imprisonment, his favor with the prison keeper, and the Lord’s continued presence with him, leading to success even in jail. Kabbalistically, Joseph’s continued faith and success in prison can be attributed to Emunah (faith) in divine providence, which sustains him and allows him to flourish even in adverse conditions, associated with the Sefirah of Hod (glory). Quantum mechanically, Joseph’s situation in prison represents a new set of initial conditions, where his consistent integrity and faith influence the probability field of his circumstances, leading to favorable outcomes despite the seemingly negative environment.
The Interplay of Integrity, Destiny, and Divine Will
Genesis Chapter 39, through the story of Joseph in Egypt, explores the profound interplay between personal integrity, destiny, and divine will. Jewish mysticism highlights Joseph’s embodiment of divine attributes, such as righteousness, restraint, and faith, which guide him through trials and lead to spiritual and material success. Midrash Rabbah provides deeper commentary on these events, emphasizing the moral and ethical lessons inherent in Joseph’s responses to temptation and adversity.
Quantum mechanically, Joseph’s experiences illustrate the impact of individual choices and divine influence on the unfolding narrative of one’s life. Each decision and action taken by Joseph, as well as those around him, acts as a quantum observation, collapsing potentialities into the realities he experiences. This narrative invites reflection on the role of faith, character, and divine guidance in navigating the complexities of life, emphasizing that alignment with higher principles can lead to positive outcomes, even in the most challenging situations.