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Joseph Finds Favor with Potiphar
v. 1. 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 Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither. The statement of Gen_37:36 is here repeated, since the story of Joseph is now resumed. He was sold as a slave to Potiphar, the chief officer of Pharaoh's bodyguard, and incidentally the chief executioner.
v. 2. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Joseph, in his duties as one of the house-slaves of Potiphar, was faithful, and therefore enjoyed the favor and the assistance of the Lord: signal good fortune attended all his work.
v. 3. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. It did not take long for Potiphar to notice that the rapid increase in his prosperity was to be ascribed to Joseph and to the blessing of the Lord upon the latter's faithfulness. Good fortune attended everything to which Joseph turned his hand.
v. 4. 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. Naturally, the fact of his increasing prosperity caused Potiphar to look with favor upon his new slave, who was always willing and faithful in his service, and so the master entrusted to him the oversight over his entire establishment, which probably included the management of an extensive estate.
v. 5. 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. Not only did Joseph show splendid executive ability, but it is emphatically stated that the blessing of God attended his work, and that Potiphar was blessed by the Lord on account of Joseph. Many a city and country has been blessed by God because of the believers, whose very presence served as a salt and whose prayers kept up the communication with the heavenly Father.
v. 6. a. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat. So absolute was Potiphar's confidence in Joseph that he placed into his hands his entire business and did not concern himself with any part of its management. He was only interested in, and concerned about, his food, about his meals. This was not mere Oriental indolence, but also a good share of Oriental wisdom, for the more he left Joseph to his own devices, the better off he was, the wealthier he became.