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

19Now when his master heard the words his wife spoke to him saying, “Such are the things your slave did to me,” his anger burned. 20Then Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. So there he was, in the prison. But Adonai was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the eyes of the commander of the prison. 22The commander of the prison entrusted into Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison, so that everything that was done there, he was responsible for it. 23The commander of the prison did not concern himself with anything at all under his care, because Adonai was with him, and Adonai made whatever he did successful.

Genesis 39:21 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• But the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• was with Josephיוֹסֵףyôsêph · JosephH3130
• and shewedנָטָהnâţâh · to stretchH5186
• him mercyחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · kindnessH2617
• and gaveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• him favourחֵןchên · favorH2580
• in the sightעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eye: seeingH5869
• of the keeperשַׂרώar · rulerH8269
• of the prisonסֹ֫הַרsôhar · prisonH5470
• of the prisonבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: homeH1004

Cross-references for Genesis 39:21

• Genesis 39:2But Adonai was with Joseph. So he became a successful man in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
• Genesis 21:22Now it came about at that same time that Abimelech—with Phicol the commander of his army---said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.
• Genesis 49:23The archers were bitter and shot arrows and were hostile towards him.
• Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
• Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, or through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame burn you.
• Daniel 6:22Daniel spoke to the king: “May the king live forever!
• Romans 8:31What then shall we say in view of these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
• 1 Peter 3:13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
• 1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Messiah, you are fortunate, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
• Genesis 40:3So he put them in custody of the house of the commander of the bodyguards—in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined.
• Exodus 3:21“Then I shall grant these people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. So it will happen that when you go, you will not leave empty-handed.
• Exodus 11:3Adonai gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. Indeed, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the eyes of Pharaoh’s servants and in the eyes of the people.
• Exodus 12:36Adonai gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and let them have what they asked for. So they plundered the Egyptians.
• Psalms 105:19till the time that his word came true— the word of Adonai proved him true!
• Psalms 106:46He caused them to be pitied in the presence of all their captors.
• Proverbs 16:7When one’s ways are pleasing to Adonai, he makes even his enemies be 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