Verse

Genesis 39:2

ESV The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
NIV The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
NASB And the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
CSB The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
NLT The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.
KJV And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
NKJV The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

What does Genesis 39:2 mean?

Joseph has left behind Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as an inheritance (Genesis 17:1–8). He has also been divided from his father Jacob and the rest of the family. He is all alone. Scripture is quick to point out that Joseph has not been abandoned by God. His brothers could have killed him, but Joseph survived when they decided to sell him as a slave, instead (Genesis 37:26–28).

Even in captivity in a foreign country, Joseph experiences God's blessings. He could have been ignored, forgotten, or badly abused. Instead, he is placed in the home of a powerful man (Genesis 39:1) and immediately proves his worth. He even comes "in the house" of his master, implying that he was trusted and treated well. God's influence in Joseph's abilities is clear (Genesis 39:3). Though he was a slave, he also became the right-hand man of one of the most powerful men in Egypt, serving in Potiphar's own household and effectively running the entire home (Genesis 39:4–6).
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