Genesis 39:21 kjv

But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 39:21 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.

Genesis 39:21 niv

the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Genesis 39:21 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.

Genesis 39:21 nlt

But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.

Genesis 39 verses

Genesis 39 21 Meaning

Genesis 39:21 signifies God's continuous and active presence with Joseph, even amidst the dire circumstances of unjust imprisonment. Despite his suffering and confinement, the LORD, by His unchanging nature, extended His faithful, covenantal love to Joseph. This divine intervention resulted in Joseph receiving unmerited favor and grace from the prison keeper, a testament to God's sovereign control over human hearts and circumstances. This verse underscores that God's plan and care persist even in times of profound hardship and injustice, demonstrating His ability to work within difficult situations for His purposes.

Genesis 39 21 Context

Genesis chapter 39 details Joseph's experiences as a slave in Egypt, highlighting his unwavering integrity despite facing severe temptation and subsequent injustice. Before this verse, Joseph had faithfully served Potiphar, flourishing because "the LORD was with him" (Gen 39:2-3). However, after steadfastly resisting the sexual advances of Potiphar's wife, he was falsely accused and thrown into the prison where the king's prisoners were confined (Gen 39:19-20). This specific verse marks a crucial pivot, as it assures the reader that even in this bleak new reality, God's active presence and benevolent intervention did not cease. The context shows Joseph transitioning from favored household slave to unjustly imprisoned man, yet God's presence continues to shape his circumstances, setting the stage for Joseph's eventual rise within the prison itself, leading to the interpretation of dreams and his ultimate elevation to power in Egypt. Culturally, imprisonment in ancient Egypt was generally severe, often implying abandonment. This verse therefore directly contrasts the despair of such a situation by highlighting the personal and active engagement of the covenant God, YHWH.

Genesis 39 21 Word analysis

• But: (וַיְהִי / va·y'hi): This conjunction introduces a powerful contrast. While human actions led to Joseph's unjust suffering and imprisonment, God's divine intervention counters the negativity of the circumstances. It signifies that despite the grim reality, there is a sovereign, hopeful turnaround initiated by God.
• the LORD: (יְהוָה / YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, revealing His personal, unchanging, and faithful character. It emphasizes that it is not a general deity or impersonal force at work, but the God who made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, actively engaging with His chosen servant, Joseph. This specific name underscores His loyalty to His redemptive plan.
• was with: (אִתּוֹ / itto): Literally "with him." This denotes more than mere proximity; it implies an active, supportive, and empowering presence. It suggests a divine partnership, where God's hand is actively guiding, sustaining, and intervening on Joseph's behalf, transforming his isolation into companionship and despair into enduring strength.
• Joseph: (יוֹסֵף / Yoseph): The individual who embodies suffering and resilience, highlighting God's faithfulness not only to His promise but also to the person through whom that promise will be realized. Joseph's character—his integrity—is also crucial, allowing God's favor to manifest through him.
• and showed him steadfast love: (וַיֵּט עָלָיו חֶסֶד / vayyet alav chesed): This phrase literally means "and inclined towards him loyal-love" or "and stretched out over him favor/kindness."
  • "showed him": The verb indicates God's active, intentional action towards Joseph, not a passive observation.
  • "steadfast love" (חֶסֶד / chesed): This is a profound theological term in Hebrew, embodying God's covenant loyalty, enduring faithfulness, merciful kindness, and compassionate grace. It is a love that perseveres despite human failings or adverse circumstances, binding God to His promises and to His people. It speaks to God's deep and unbreakable commitment to Joseph.
• and gave him favor: (וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ לְחֵן / vayyitt'nehu l'chen): This literally means "and gave him into grace/favor."
  • "gave him": Signifies God's active bestowal, His empowering Joseph to gain goodwill.
  • "favor" (חֵן / chen): Refers to grace, charm, acceptance, or goodwill shown by others. In this context, it indicates that God caused the prison keeper to look kindly upon Joseph, overriding natural human responses or prejudices. It highlights God's ability to influence human perceptions and attitudes.
• in the sight of the keeper of the prison: (בְּעֵינֵי שַׂר בֵּית הַסֹּהַר / b'einei sar beit hassohar): This specifies the exact means through which God's favor manifested. The "keeper of the prison" (literally "chief of the prison house") was a figure of authority and potentially a source of further harshness. That Joseph found favor in his eyes emphasizes God's sovereign control even over those who hold power over His servants.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the LORD was with Joseph": This initial phrase powerfully reasserts divine presence in suffering. It transitions the narrative from human injustice to divine faithfulness, stressing God's unyielding commitment and active involvement, counteracting Joseph's desolate human condition. This underscores that God's plan is not thwarted by adversity but rather operates through it.
• "and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor": This dual phrase beautifully illustrates God's multifaceted provision for Joseph. "Steadfast love" (hesed) describes God's inherent character and His covenant faithfulness towards Joseph (internal divine care), while "gave him favor" (chen) describes the external, tangible manifestation of that love in the eyes of others (human reception facilitated by God). This highlights God's initiative in both His internal disposition and His external action to alleviate Joseph's plight within the prison system.
• "in the sight of the keeper of the prison": This clause provides specific evidence of God's effective working. It shows how God's sovereign power extended beyond simply being "with" Joseph, actually influencing the mind and actions of the authority figure holding Joseph captive. This immediate, observable outcome confirms the reality of God's active favor, providing concrete hope in a dark place and setting the stage for Joseph's later promotion within the prison itself.

Genesis 39 21 Bonus section

• Divine Preparation through Suffering: This verse is crucial in illustrating a biblical pattern where God prepares individuals for great purposes through periods of testing and tribulation. Joseph's time in prison, endured with God's presence and favor, developed his character, patience, and dependence on God, all vital for his future role as second-in-command of Egypt. This principle echoes throughout Scripture, showing how trials can refine believers for God's glory.
• Contrast with Human Justice: The stark contrast between human injustice (Joseph's wrongful imprisonment) and divine justice/faithfulness is profoundly highlighted. Humans act out of envy, lust, and anger, but God acts out of His unwavering hesed. This demonstrates that even when humanity fails, God's purposes prevail through His active intervention.
• Foreboding/Typology: In a subtle way, Joseph's innocent suffering, his betrayal, and then his elevation after being 'hidden' foreshadow aspects of Christ's passion, burial, and resurrection. Like Joseph, Christ also experienced immense injustice and suffering, but God was always with Him, ultimately raising Him to the highest position. The "favor" Joseph found, leading to his future ability to save, also subtly prefigures Christ's redemptive work through grace.

Genesis 39 21 Commentary

Genesis 39:21 is a powerful affirmation of God's unshakeable sovereignty and benevolent care, even in the midst of extreme human injustice and suffering. Following Joseph's false accusation and imprisonment, the narrative might lead one to despair, but this verse immediately reassures the reader that God's presence, which had already led to Joseph's prosperity in Potiphar's house, remained unfailingly active. "The LORD was with Joseph" is a recurring theme (Gen 39:2,3,23), signifying not just proximity, but a dynamic, empowering, and protective presence. This divine presence allowed Joseph to experience "steadfast love" (hesed), God's covenant loyalty and unfailing kindness, and consequently to find "favor" (chen) in the eyes of the prison keeper. This favor did not remove Joseph from prison, but it made his imprisonment more bearable and facilitated his eventual rise, positioning him for God's ultimate purpose. It is a profound demonstration that God orchestrates events, even using oppressive circumstances, to fulfill His divine will and uphold His servants, showing that God works not always by changing our circumstances, but often by empowering us within them.