Genesis 39:2-3
The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse emphasizes that God's presence with Joseph was the direct cause of his success, not just a passive accompaniment. It's easy to read "the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man" as two separate facts, but the structure here implies a causal link: God's presence made him successful. This also highlights that his success wasn't due to his own brilliance alone, but to a divine endorsement of his efforts, even in a foreign land as a servant.
After being betrayed and sold by his brothers, Joseph is brought to Egypt and purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite his enslaved status, Joseph is placed in charge of Potiphar's household due to God's blessing on him. This verse highlights that even in this difficult and foreign situation, the LORD was with Joseph, leading him to prosper in his master's home.
Joseph was ripped from his family and sold into slavery, a far cry from the comfort of home. Yet, the text says something profound about his situation.
The phrase "the LORD was with Joseph" isn't just a comforting platitude; it's the driving force behind his ability to navigate immense hardship.
God's Presence as a Foundation
Even in the darkest times, God's presence is not conditional on our circumstances. For Joseph, being "with the LORD" meant a source of inner strength, guidance, and protection, even when external circumstances were dire.
A Sign of Favor, Not Absence
This presence is contrasted with the world's view. While adversity might suggest God's absence, the Scripture shows that His presence is often most evident when we are tested. It's a testament to His active engagement in the lives of His people, even when they are enslaved.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 39:2-3 is available in the Sola app.
How can someone be a 'successful man' while literally being a slave in a foreign land?
Joseph's success wasn't defined by his social status or freedom, but by God's blessing manifesting through his faithfulness and diligence.
God's Blessing as the Source
The text explicitly links Joseph's prosperity to the LORD being with him. This suggests that true success, in God's economy, is not solely about worldly advancement but about experiencing His favor and blessing, regardless of one's outward condition.
Faithful in His Station
Joseph didn't remain idle or bitter in Potiphar's house. He worked diligently in the role he was given. This faithfulness, empowered by God's presence, is what allowed him to become 'a successful man' within the confines of his servitude.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, faithfulness, and redeeming relationship with His people.
tsalach · Hebrew Verb
A state of thriving or prosperity, often implying divine enablement or wisdom that results in the attainment of a goal or the fulfilling of a duty.
This passage highlights Joseph's early years in Egypt, a time of enslavement and unjust hardship. Yet, even in this lowliest of circumstances, the text emphasizes God's presence and favor, setting the stage for Joseph's future rise.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Joseph Sold into Slavery
Joseph's jealous brothers sell him to Ishmaelite traders, who then take him to Egypt.
c. 1750 BC
Potiphar Buys Joseph
Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, purchases Joseph from the traders.
c. 1750-1740 BC
Joseph Serves Potiphar
Joseph rises to prominence in Potiphar's household due to God's blessing, becoming overseer of all his master's affairs.
This passage describes a person who prospers because they delight in God's law and meditate on it, mirroring how Joseph's success stemmed from God's presence, not just his own skill.
Proverbs 16:3This verse directly states that success comes from committing one's deeds to the LORD, reinforcing the idea that Joseph's prosperity was a result of divine favor and blessing.
Jeremiah 17:7-8This passage contrasts the cursed individual who trusts in humans with the blessed one who trusts in the LORD and whose roots are by the water, illustrating the source of true, lasting prosperity like Joseph's.
Matthew 6:33Jesus instructs followers to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, promising that all these things will be added, echoing the principle that Joseph's success followed his being in favor with God.
calvinGenesis 39:1-23: "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 Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither."
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.
Fuit autem ex eo tempore, quo p…
pulpitGenesis 39:2: "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian."
Verse 2. - And the Lord - Jehovah, as usual, because the entire chapter is the work of the Jehovist (Tuch, Colenso), with the exception of a few alterations by the redactor (Davidson), or because, though the work of the Elohist, it has been modified by the Jehovistic editor (Bleek, Vaihinger); but more likely because the advancement of Joseph in Egypt was a special frui…
The verse emphasizes that God's presence with Joseph was the direct cause of his success, not just a passive accompaniment. It's easy to read "the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man" as two separate facts, but the structure here implies a causal link: God's presence made him successful. This also highlights that his success wasn't due to his own brilliance alone, but to a divine endorsement of his efforts, even in a foreign land as a servant.
After being betrayed and sold by his brothers, Joseph is brought to Egypt and purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite his enslaved status, Joseph is placed in charge of Potiphar's household due to God's blessing on him. This verse highlights that even in this difficult and foreign situation, the LORD was with Joseph, leading him to prosper in his master's home.
After being betrayed and sold by his brothers, Joseph is brought to Egypt and purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite his enslaved status, Joseph is placed in charge of Potiphar's household due to God's blessing on him. This verse highlights that even in this difficult and foreign situation, the LORD was with Joseph, leading him to prosper in his master's home.
"The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands." — The verse emphasizes that God's presence with Joseph was the direct cause of his success, not just a passive accompaniment. It's easy to read "the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful m…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
