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Sunday, July 13th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Genesis 39:21

the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Criminals;   Joseph;   Mercy;   Prisoners;   Thompson Chain Reference - Bible Stories for Children;   Children;   Divine;   Favour, Divine;   Favour-Disfavour;   God;   Home;   Joseph;   Pleasant Sunday Afternoons;   Religion;   Stories for Children;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Afflicted Saints;   Prisons;   Servants;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Egypt;   Joseph;   Pharaoh;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Love;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Favor;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Prison;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Charm;   Genesis;   Grace;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Pharaoh;   Potiphar;   Prince;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Joseph;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Favor;   Keeper;   Kindness;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Midrash Haggadah;   Sidra;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
But the LORD was with Yosef, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
King James Version
But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Lexham English Bible
And Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed loyal love to him, and gave him favor in the eyes of the chief of the prison.
New Century Version
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness and caused the prison warden to like Joseph.
New English Translation
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden.
Amplified Bible
But the LORD was with Joseph and extended lovingkindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the warden.
New American Standard Bible
But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But the Lorde was with Ioseph, and shewed him mercie, and got him fauour in the sight of the master of the prison.
Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh was with Joseph and extended lovingkindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.
Contemporary English Version
the Lord helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that
Complete Jewish Bible
But Adonai was with Yosef, showing him grace and giving him favor in the sight of the prison warden.
Darby Translation
And Jehovah was with Joseph, and extended mercy to him, and gave him favour in the eyes of the chief of the tower-house.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord was with Joseph and continued to show his kindness to him, so the commander of the prison guards began to like Joseph.
English Standard Version
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
George Lamsa Translation
But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Good News Translation
But the Lord was with Joseph and blessed him, so that the jailer was pleased with him.
Christian Standard Bible®
But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor with the prison warden.
Literal Translation
And Jehovah was with Joseph, and extended kindness to him. And He gave him favor in the eyes of the warden of the prison house.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But the LORDE was with him, and had mercy vpon him, & caused him to fynde fauor in the sight of the officer of ye preson,
American Standard Version
But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Bible in Basic English
But the Lord was with Joseph, and was good to him, and made the keeper of the prison his friend.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But the Lord was with Ioseph, and shewed hym mercie, and got hym fauour in the sight of the lord of the prison.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
King James Version (1611)
But the LORD was with Ioseph, and shewed him mercie, and gaue him fauour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the Lord was with Joseph, and poured down mercy upon him; and he gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison.
English Revised Version
But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed kindness unto him, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe the Lord was with Joseph, and hadde mercy on hym, and yaf grace to hym in the siyt of the prince of the prisoun,
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah is with Joseph, and stretcheth out kindness unto him, and putteth his grace in the eyes of the chief of the round-house;
Update Bible Version
But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Webster's Bible Translation
But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
World English Bible
But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
New King James Version
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
New Living Translation
But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.
New Life Bible
But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him kindness. He gave him favor in the eyes of the man who watched over the prison.
New Revised Standard
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass that, Yahweh, was with Joseph, and extended unto him lovingkindness, - and gave him his favour in the eyes of the chief of the prison.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the Lord was with Joseph, and having mercy upon him gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:
Revised Standard Version
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

Contextual Overview

19When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is what your slave did to me," he burned with anger. 20So Joseph's master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king's prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison, 21the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden,22who put all those held in the prison under Joseph's authority, so that he was responsible for all that was done there. 23The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him and gave him success in whatever he did.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the Lord: Genesis 39:2, Genesis 21:22, Genesis 49:23, Genesis 49:24, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:2, Daniel 6:22, Romans 8:31, Romans 8:32, Romans 8:37, 1 Peter 3:13, 1 Peter 3:14, 1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 4:14-16

showed him mercy: Heb. extended kindness unto him

gave him: Genesis 40:3, Exodus 3:21, Exodus 11:3, Exodus 12:36, Psalms 105:19, Psalms 105:22, Psalms 106:46, Proverbs 16:7, Daniel 1:9, Acts 7:9, Acts 7:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:20 - God Genesis 26:3 - I will be Genesis 28:15 - I am Genesis 30:27 - favour Genesis 39:4 - Joseph Genesis 40:4 - the captain Genesis 43:14 - And God Joshua 6:27 - the Lord Judges 1:19 - the Lord 1 Samuel 3:19 - the Lord 1 Kings 11:19 - found 2 Chronicles 1:1 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 17:3 - the Lord Esther 2:9 - she obtained Proverbs 3:4 - shalt Matthew 28:20 - I am Acts 28:16 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 21:22
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do.
Genesis 39:2
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
Genesis 39:9
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?"
Genesis 39:10
Although Potiphar's wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or be with her.
Genesis 39:13
When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house,
Genesis 39:14
she called her household servants. "Look," she said, "this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, but I screamed as loud as I could.
Genesis 39:16
So Potiphar's wife kept Joseph's garment beside her until his master came home.
Genesis 39:23
The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him and gave him success in whatever he did.
Genesis 40:3
and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined.
Exodus 3:21
And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Comforting him with his presence under his afflictions; supporting him with his right hand; sanctifying all his troubles to him, and so causing him to bear them patiently and cheerfully:

and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison; who was the underkeeper to Potiphar; God so wrought upon the heart of this man, that he was merciful to him, and took off the iron fetters, which hurt his feet, and gave him liberty to walk about; and many other favours and kindnesses he showed unto him, as follow.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

- Joseph in Potiphar’s House

According to our reckoning, Perez and Zerah were born when Judah was in his twenty-eighth year, and therefore, Joseph in his twenty-fourth. Here, then, we go back seven years to resume the story of Joseph.

Genesis 39:1-6

Joseph fares well with his first master. “Potiphar.” This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 37:0: “The Lord;” the God of covenant is with Joseph. “In the house.” Joseph was a domestic servant. “And his master saw.” The prosperity that attended all Joseph’s doings was so striking as to show that the Lord was with him. “Set him over” - made him overseer of all that was in his house. “The Lord blessed the Mizrite’s house.” He blesses those who bless his own Genesis 12:3. “Beautiful in form and look” Genesis 29:17. This prepares the way for the following occurrence.

Genesis 39:7-10

Joseph resists the daily solicitations of his master’s wife to lie with her. “None greater in this house than I.” He pleads the unreserved trust his master had reposed in him. He is bound by the law of honor, the law of chastity (this great evil), and the law of piety (sin against God). Joseph uses the common name of God in addressing this Egyptian. He could employ no higher pleas than the above.

Genesis 39:11-18

“At this day,” the day on which the occurrence now to be related took place. “To do his business.” He does not come in her way except at the call of duty. He hath brought in. She either does not condescend, or does not need to name her husband. “A Hebrew to mock us.” Her disappointment now provokes her to falsehood as the means of concealment and revenge. A Hebrew is still the only national designation proper to Joseph Genesis 14:13. Jacob’s descendants had not got beyond the family. The term Israelite was therefore, not yet in use. The national name is designedly used as a term of reproach among the Egyptians Genesis 43:32. “To mock us,” - to take improper liberties, not only with me, but with any of the females in the house. “I cried with a loud voice.” This is intended to be the proof of her innocence Deuteronomy 22:24, Deuteronomy 22:27. “Left his garments by me;” not in her hand, which would have been suspicious.

Genesis 39:19-23

Her husband believes her story and naturally resents the supposed unfaithfulness of his slave. His treatment of him is mild. He puts him in ward, probably to stand his trial for the offence. The Lord does not forsake the prisoner. He gives him favor with the governor of the jail. The same unlimited trust is placed in him by the governor as by his late master.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Genesis 39:21. The Lord was with Joseph — It is but of little consequence where the lot of a servant of God may be cast; like Joseph he is ever employed for his master, and God honours him and prospers his work.

1. HE who acknowledges God in all his ways, has the promise that God shall direct all his steps. Joseph's captivity shall promote God's glory; and to this end God works in him, for him, by him. Even the irreligious can see when the Most High distinguishes his followers. Joseph's master saw that Jehovah was with him; and from this we may learn that the knowledge of the true God was in Egypt, even before the time of Joseph, though his worship was neither established nor even tolerated there. Both Abraham and Isaac had been in Egypt, and they had left a savour of true godliness behind them.

2. Joseph's virtue in resisting the solicitations of his mistress was truly exemplary. Had he reasoned after the manner of men, he might have soon found that the proposed intrigue might be carried on with the utmost secrecy and greatly to his secular advantage. But he chose to risk all rather than injure a kind benefactor, defile his conscience, and sin against God. Such conduct is so exceedingly rare that his example has stood on the records of time as almost without a parallel, admired by all, applauded by most, and in similar circumstances, I am afraid, imitated by few. The fable of the brave and virtuous Bellerophon and Sthenobaea, wife of Proetus, king of the Argives, was probably founded on this history.

3. Joseph fled and got him out. To know when to fight and when to fly are of great importance in the Christian life. Some temptations must be manfully met, resisted, and thus overcome; from others we must fly. He who stands to contend or reason, especially in such a case as that mentioned here, is infallibly ruined. Principiis obsta, "resist the first overtures of sin," is a good maxim. After-remedies come too late.

4. A woman of the spirit of Potiphar's wife is capable of any species of evil. When she could not get her wicked ends answered, she began to accuse. This is precisely Satan's custom: he first tempts men to sin, and then accuses them as having committed it, even where the temptation has been faithfully and perseveringly resisted! By this means he can trouble a tender conscience, and weaken faith by bringing confusion into the mind. Thus the inexperienced especially are often distracted and cast down; hence Satan is properly called the accuser of the brethren, Revelation 12:10.

Very useful lessons may be drawn from every part of the relation in this chapter, but detailing the facts and reasoning upon them would be more likely to produce than prevent the evil. An account of this kind cannot be touched with too gentle a hand. Others have been profuse here; I chose to be parsimonious, for reasons which the intelligent reader will feel as well as myself. Let this remark be applied to what has been said on the sin of Onan, Genesis 38:29; Genesis 38:29.


 
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