Genesis 39:3 kjv
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Genesis 39:3 nkjv
And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.
Genesis 39:3 niv
When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did,
Genesis 39:3 esv
His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.
Genesis 39:3 nlt
Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.
Genesis 39 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 26:3 | "...I will be with thee, and will bless thee..." | God promises His empowering presence to Isaac. |
| Gen 26:12-14 | "...Isaac sowed... and received in the same year an hundredfold... And the man waxed great..." | God's blessing leads to Isaac's overwhelming prosperity. |
| Gen 28:15 | "And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee... will not leave thee..." | God assures Jacob of His constant presence and protection. |
| Gen 30:27 | "And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake." | Laban discerns God's blessing upon him because of Jacob. |
| Gen 39:2 | "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man..." | Direct precursor, highlighting God's active presence. |
| Gen 39:23 | "...the LORD was with him; and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper." | Repeated emphasis on God's active hand in Joseph's prosperity even in prison. |
| Ex 3:12 | "...Certainly I will be with thee..." | God's assurance of presence to Moses. |
| Deut 28:8 | "The LORD shall command the blessing... upon all that thou settest thine hand unto..." | God promises to bless labor when obedient. |
| Deut 28:12 | "...the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all the work of thine hand..." | God's blessing on diligent efforts and endeavors. |
| Josh 1:9 | "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." | Divine assurance for Joshua's mission and journey. |
| 1 Sam 18:12 | "And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him..." | God's presence causing remarkable success for David. |
| 1 Sam 18:14 | "And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him." | David's success is attributed to God's presence. |
| Ps 1:3 | "And he shall be like a tree... whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." | Prosperity promised to those delighting in God's law. |
| Ps 23:4 | "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..." | God's comforting presence amidst adversity. |
| Ps 90:17 | "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us..." | Prayer for God to prosper the work of our hands. |
| Prov 16:3 | "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." | Seeking God's blessing for the outcome of our work. |
| Isa 41:10 | "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God..." | God's comforting and empowering presence to Israel. |
| Jer 1:8 | "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD." | God's assurance of presence and deliverance to Jeremiah. |
| Acts 7:9-10 | "And the patriarchs... sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions..." | Stephen's sermon explicitly confirms God's presence with Joseph. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." | God orchestrates circumstances for good to His people. |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." | Believer's empowerment for tasks through Christ. |
| Heb 13:5 | "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." | God's unfailing promise of perpetual presence. |
| Jas 1:17 | "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." | All true success and good things originate from God. |
Genesis 39 verses
Genesis 39 3 Meaning
Joseph's master, Potiphar, observed undeniable evidence of the living God's (YHWH) direct presence and active involvement in Joseph's life, which supernaturally resulted in remarkable and consistent success in every task and endeavor Joseph undertook. This success was not simply a matter of Joseph's innate talent or diligent effort, but a clear, visible manifestation of divine favor and blessing from the LORD.
Genesis 39 3 Context
Joseph, having been unjustly sold into slavery by his envious brothers, finds himself far from his homeland in the household of Potiphar, an influential Egyptian official. Despite the profoundly adverse and dehumanizing circumstances, Genesis 39:3 initiates the narrative of Joseph's elevation within this foreign land. This verse marks a pivotal moment by highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty, even when His servant is in a seemingly hopeless situation, thereby setting the stage for Joseph's miraculous rise to power.
Genesis 39 3 Word analysis
- And his master saw (וַיַּרְא אֲדֹנָיו - vayyar' adonav): Potiphar did not merely observe Joseph's competence; the Hebrew verb ra'ah (saw) indicates an active perception, a deep understanding, implying that Potiphar discerned a supernatural element at play. It was an observable reality that went beyond ordinary human skill.
- that the LORD (כִּי־יְהוָה - ki-YHWH): The use of God's covenant name, YHWH, is profound. It signifies that Potiphar, an Egyptian pagan, not only recognized a divine power but specifically identified it as the God of Israel, acknowledging His distinct and active involvement. This is a direct polemic against Egyptian polytheism, implicitly showcasing the supremacy of the LORD.
- was with him (אִתּוֹ - itto): This phrase describes God's active, dynamic, and intimate presence, signifying divine favor and enabling power. It implies that God was not merely beside Joseph but was actively working through him, empowering and directing his efforts.
- and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper (וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־הוּא עֹשֶׂה יְהוָה מַצְלִיחַ בְּיָדוֹ - v’chol asher-hu oseh YHWH matzliach b’yado):
- "all that he did" (v'chol asher-hu oseh): This comprehensive phrase emphasizes that every single task, regardless of its significance, benefited from this divine enablement, covering the full spectrum of Joseph's responsibilities.
- "made... to prosper" (matzliach): The Hiphil form of the Hebrew verb tzalach literally means to cause to prosper, to be successful, to advance. This highlights God's active role as the instigator and source of the success, not simply that Joseph himself was competent. It implies an unusual, effective, and complete success.
- "in his hand" (b’yado): This idiomatic expression attributes the prosperity directly to the work and actions performed by Joseph. It signifies that God blessed the diligence and effort that Joseph himself put forth, underscoring the partnership between divine grace and human labor.
Genesis 39 3 Bonus section
This verse initiates a key thematic refrain throughout Joseph's narrative, with variations of "the LORD was with Joseph" appearing in Gen 39:2, 3, and 23. This repetition consistently emphasizes that Joseph's extraordinary success, resilience, and elevation were not products of his own genius or cunning but were entirely dependent on God's active, faithful presence and divine favor. This narrative motif not only glorifies YHWH but also presents a theological counter-narrative to any notion that pagan gods or human fortune controlled one's destiny, particularly within a powerful foreign nation like Egypt. The discerning eye of Potiphar, an outsider, serves as an external witness to the observable reality of YHWH's power, highlighting God's global reach and dominion even over those who do not yet know Him.
Genesis 39 3 Commentary
Genesis 39:3 succinctly yet powerfully conveys that God's unwavering presence is the ultimate source of true prosperity and success, irrespective of life's difficult circumstances. Potiphar's pagan worldview was interrupted by the undeniable, tangible evidence of the LORD's direct involvement in Joseph's life. This observable blessing transcended mere human skill, serving as a testimony to God's active hand in elevating Joseph. The verse underscores God's sovereignty, showing that He can turn even the bleakest of situations—like being sold into slavery—into a pathway for divine purpose and revelation, using human agents to demonstrate His power and favor. It encourages faith that when God is "with" someone, their endeavors will thrive, fulfilling His divine plan.