Genesis – Chapter 39

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Genesis 39 opens with the words: "And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites,…" The chapter centers on Joseph and Pharaoh. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: God's protection and deliverance and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites, by whom he was brought.

2And the Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man in all things: and he dwelt in his master's house:

3Who knew very well that the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4And Joseph found favour in the sight of his master, and ministered to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed to him, and all things that were delivered to him:

5And the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and multiplied all his substance, both at home and in the fields.

6Neither knew he any other thing, but the bread which he ate. And Joseph was of a beautiful countenance, and comely to behold.

7And after many days, his mistress cast her eyes on Joseph, and said: Lie with me.

8But he in no wise consenting to that wicked act said to her: Behold, my master hath delivered all things to me, and knoweth not what he hath in his own house:

9Neither is there any thing which is not in my power, or that he hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife; how then can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God?

10With such words as these day by day, both the woman was importunate with the young man, and he refused the adultery.

11Now it happened on a certain day, that Joseph went into the house, and was doing some business, without any man with him:

12And she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But he leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out.

13And when the woman saw the garment in her hands, and herself disregarded,

14She called to her the men of her house, and said to them: See, he hath brought in a Hebrew, to abuse us: he came in to me, to lie with me; and when I cried out,

15And he heard my voice, he left the garment that I held, and got him out.

16For a proof therefore of her fidelity, she kept the garment, and shewed it to her husband when he returned home:

17And said: The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought, came to me to abuse me.

18And when he heard me cry, he left the garment which I held, and fled out.

19His master hearing these things, and giving too much credit to his wife's words, was very angry,

20And cast Joseph into the prison, where the king's prisoners were kept, and he was there shut up.

21But the Lord was with Joseph, and having mercy upon him gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:

22Who delivered into his hand all the prisoners that were kept in custody: and whatsoever was done, was under him.

23Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper.

Important Verses in Genesis 39

And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites, by whom he was brought.

Genesis 39:1

And the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and multiplied all his substance, both at home and in the fields.

Genesis 39:5

Neither is there any thing which is not in my power, or that he hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife; how then can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God?

Genesis 39:9

But the Lord was with Joseph, and having mercy upon him gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:

Genesis 39:21

Historical Context

Genesis addresses the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 39 of 50 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Joseph and Pharaoh, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought…" It concludes: "Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that…" The wider setting of Genesis is this: Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites, by whom he was…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's protection and deliverance.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 355).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

Joseph8 mentionsPharaoh1 mention

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 39 presents Joseph in Potiphar's house, where his integrity shines despite unjust treatment. The Catechism holds up Joseph as a model of chastity, resisting Potiphar's wife's seduction at great personal cost (CIC 2520). The Church Fathers praised Joseph's virtue, seeing in his flight from temptation the proper response to occasions of sin.

Joseph's repeated success—"The Lord was with Joseph"—demonstrates that faithfulness to God brings blessing even in adverse circumstances. Catholic theology sees in Joseph's rise and fall and rise again a pattern of divine providence that works through apparent setbacks. The Catechism teaches that God can bring good from every evil (CIC 312).

Joseph's imprisonment for a crime he did not commit prefigures Christ's unjust condemnation. The Church Fathers noted that Joseph, like Christ, was numbered among transgressors though innocent. This chapter teaches us that integrity may not prevent suffering but preserves our relationship with God, that fleeing temptation is wisdom not weakness, and that God remains with His faithful ones even in prison.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 39 about?

Genesis 39 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought…" and closes with "Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that…". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 39?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites, by whom he was brought." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 39?

This chapter mentions Joseph, Pharaoh.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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