Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.
Parallel translations
- WEB Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
- NASB So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and put him in charge of all that he owned.
- NLT This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joseph wins Potiphar's favor and is put in charge of his entire household.
Overview
Joseph's integrity and competence earn him trust and authority over all his master's affairs. His rise from slave to overseer foreshadows his later elevation in Egypt. God advances Joseph step by step toward the position from which he will preserve many lives.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Gen 39:21–22the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
- Gen 39:8But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care.
- Gen 24:2So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
- Gen 19:19Your servant has indeed found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness by sparing my life. But I cannot run to the mountains; the disaster will overtake me, and I will die.
- Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
- Prov 27:18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
- Prov 17:2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.
- Gen 18:3“My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.
- Prov 16:7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
- Prov 22:29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
- Gen 33:10But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably.
- Gen 33:8“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered.
- Neh 2:4–5“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven
- Prov 14:35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
- Gen 15:2But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- Gen 32:5I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’”
- Gen 41:40–41You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
- 1 Sam 16:22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 39:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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