Genesis 39:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, "This is the way your servant treated me," his anger was kindled.

NIV: When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger.

NASB: Now when his master heard the words of his wife which she spoke to him, saying, 'This is what your slave did to me,' his anger burned.

CSB: When his master heard the story his wife told him—"These are the things your slave did to me"—he was furious

NLT: Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused.

Potiphar seems to react quickly to his wife's false accusation against Joseph (Genesis 39:11–15). Joseph's master (Genesis 39:1) is convinced by her manipulative deception (Genesis 39:16–18). She has skillfully cast guilt on her husband for bringing this Hebrew slave into her home. She implies that this attempted rape was, in some ways, her husband's fault. One would expect any husband to become angry when hearing a story such as this. Scripture describes his anger as growing, rapidly: it is "kindled," or it "burned."

What complicates the issue is Joseph's stellar reputation. Prior to this moment, Potiphar trusted Joseph with every conceivable decision in the household (Genesis 39:6). That Joseph was adamant about not sleeping with his master's wife suggests that his moral character was well known (Genesis 39:8, 10). At the same time, her aggressive attempts and Potiphar's strangely specific comment about her being off-limits (Genesis 39:9) suggest she may have had a reputation for this kind of thing.

Whatever details go through Potiphar's mind, he's angry. There is zero chance he will let this pass. In that time and place, a master likely had the right to kill a slave like Joseph outright. This is what many husbands would be tempted to do. Fortunately for Joseph, Potiphar's reaction will be merciful—so to speak (Genesis 39:20).

Genesis 39:19–23 describes Joseph's arrival in the Egyptian prison reserved for the king's prisoners. Joseph's once-trusting master has him jailed after the master's wife falsely accuses Joseph of attempted rape. Despite the unfair imprisonment, God has not abandoned Joseph. That Joseph isn't immediately executed speaks well of both his reputation and the Lord's protection. Even in prison, Joseph is blessed: the king's jailer favors Joseph and quickly puts him in charge of nearly all of duties in the jail. Joseph continues to succeed in every circumstance he faces, under God's provision.

Joseph's arrival as a slave in Egypt is not the end of his story. The Lord continues to be with him and to bless him. Joseph rises to become the right-hand man of his master, Potiphar, the captain of the guard. Eventually, he is betrayed by a false accusation of rape by his master's scorned wife. Even then, Joseph finds the Lord is still with him, still blessing him, even in prison. Soon Joseph oversees every aspect of the prison, serving once again under God's faithful blessing.

In chapter 37, Joseph narrowly escaped being murdered by his own brothers (Genesis 37:18–20), only to be sold as a slave (Genesis 37:26–28). Chapter 39 picks up his story after taking a detour into the scandalous life of Judah. Though a slave in Egypt, Joseph thrives under the Lord's blessing. He rises to the top position in his master's household, only to be jailed on a false accusation of attempted rape. Still, Joseph continues to be blessed by God, again rising to become the jailer's most trusted servant. Joseph's reputation and ability to interpret dreams will factor into his rise within the government of Egypt.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.