Verse

Genesis 39:6

ESV So he left all that he had in Joseph 's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
NIV So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
NASB So he left Joseph in charge of everything that he owned; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
CSB He left all that he owned under Joseph’s authority; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome.
NLT So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing — except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,
KJV 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.
NKJV Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

What does Genesis 39:6 mean?

An employer who feels the need to make every decision, giving no trust to their employees, is sometimes called a "micro-manager." We have no information of whether Potiphar was a natural micro-manager, but the Bible is clear he was not that way with his captive slave, Joseph (Genesis 39:1). Joseph was so successful in overseeing all of Potiphar's household, and the Lord's blessings on the household were so abundant, that Potiphar stopped concerning himself with any of the household business. He just let Joseph handle it all (Genesis 39:2–5).

Potiphar's only concern, when it came to his household, was what food he would eat. Perhaps this also refers to his most private affairs. Aside from those, Potiphar was convinced Joseph would handle everything as well or better than he could. Again, Potiphar clearly understood that Joseph's success came because of the power and blessing of Joseph's God. He wisely chose to stay out of the way and allow that to continue.

Beyond merely being successful and respected, Joseph was a good-looking young man. The description given here is the same as the compliment paid to his mother, Rachel (Genesis 29:17). Apparently, Rachel's son Joseph was stunning to look at.

Of course, some advantages come with drawbacks. Joseph's good looks will become a liability at this moment in his life, presenting him with temptation in the form of his master's wife (Genesis 39:7).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: