Genesis 39:21

Genesis 39:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
• New International Version (NIV)the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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 King James Version (NKJV)But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Context of Genesis 39:21

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, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. 23The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Genesis 39:21 word by word

וַיְהִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אֶת־יוֹסֵ֔ף וַיֵּ֥ט אֵלָ֖יו חָ֑סֶד וַיִּתֵּ֣ן חִנּ֔וֹ בְּעֵינֵ֖י שַׂ֥ר בֵּית־הַסֹּֽהַר׃Read the interlinear

• the LORDיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• wasהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• withאֵת'êth · withH854
• ·יוֹסֵףyôsêph · JosephH3130
• and extendedנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
• kindnessחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · kindnessH2617
• to himאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413
• granting himנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• favorחֵןchên · favorH2580
• in the eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eye: seeingH5869
• of the prisonבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: homeH1004
• of the prisonסֹ֫הַרsôhar · prisonH5470
• wardenשַׂרώar · rulerH8269

Cross-references for Genesis 39:21

• Genesis 39:2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
• Genesis 21:22At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.
• Genesis 49:23The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility.
• Isaiah 41:10Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
• Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
• Daniel 6:22My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
• Romans 8:31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
• 1 Peter 3:13Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
• 1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
• Genesis 40:3and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined.
• Exodus 3:21And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed.
• Exodus 11:3And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.
• Exodus 12:36And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.
• Psalms 105:19until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right.
• Psalms 106:46He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.
• Proverbs 16:7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Commentaries on Genesis 39:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21The 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 honors him and prospers his work. 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-23Verses 1-23 - 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 12:3. “Beautiful in form and look” Genesis 29:17. This prepares the way for the following…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-23Verses 19-23 Joseph's master believed the accusation. Potiphar, it is likely, chose that prison, because it was the worst; but God designed to open the way to Joseph's honour. Joseph was owned and righted by his God. He was away from all his friends and relations; he had none to help or comfort him; but the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy. Those that have a good conscience in a prison, have a good God there. God gave him favour in the sight of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-23Joseph thrived in prison because God was with him. Each time Joseph prospered, he was put in charge of something.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-2321-23. The Lord ... gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison, &c.--It is highly probable, from the situation of this prison (Ge 40:3), that the keeper might have been previously acquainted with Joseph and have had access to know his innocence of the crime laid to his charge, as well as with all the high integrity of his character. That may partly account for his showing so much kindness and confidence to his prisoner. But there was a…Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 39:21

• Criminals
• Joseph
• Mercy
• Prisoners

In the dictionaries

• Prison
• Prosper
• Temptation
• Antediluvian Patriarchs
• Archaeology; Archaeology and Criticism
• Favor
• Genesis
• Joseph (2)
• Keeper; Keepers
• Kindness

Commentaries on Genesis 39

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings