Genesis 39:5 kjv

And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Genesis 39:5 nkjv

So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

Genesis 39:5 niv

From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

Genesis 39:5 esv

From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.

Genesis 39:5 nlt

From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master's household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar's household for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

Genesis 39 verses

Genesis 39 5 Meaning

Genesis 39:5 illustrates a profound truth of divine favor: the Lord extended comprehensive blessing to Potiphar’s household and all his possessions, specifically "for Joseph's sake." This blessing began from the moment Joseph was appointed overseer, indicating a direct connection between Joseph’s presence, integrity, and diligence, and God's active, sustained prosperity bestowed upon the Egyptian's estate. It underscores how God uses His faithful servants as conduits of blessing, impacting those around them, even unbelievers.

Genesis 39 5 Context

Genesis chapter 39 marks a turning point for Joseph after being sold into slavery. Despite his unjust circumstances, God’s providential hand is evidently with him. The preceding verses (Gen 39:2-4) establish that Joseph found favor with Potiphar because "the Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man." Potiphar, an Egyptian captain of the guard, observed this and recognized that Joseph's prosperity stemmed directly from the Lord's presence with him. Consequently, Potiphar entrusted Joseph with full oversight of his household and all his possessions. Verse 5 confirms the immediate, expansive, and enduring impact of this divine favor, showcasing God's ability to bless a non-believing household for the sake of His righteous servant, even in a foreign land ruled by polytheistic gods. This demonstrates Yahweh's sovereignty and superiority over Egyptian deities, as He, the God of Israel, is the true source of prosperity.

Genesis 39 5 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי vayehi): A common biblical transition, indicating a sequential event or the consequence of a preceding action. Here, it marks the direct result of Joseph's appointment.
• from the time (מֵאָז me'az): Literally "from then" or "since that time." It emphasizes the specific starting point and implies a continuous, sustained blessing thereafter.
• he had made him overseer (אֹתוֹ פָקַד oto fakad): פָקַד fakad means "to visit, to attend to, to appoint." Here, it signifies the act of giving official responsibility and full authority. Joseph wasn't just a manager, but one divinely blessed in his role as a trusted steward.
• in his house (בְּבֵיתוֹ be'beyto): Refers to Potiphar's entire domestic establishment, including the building, servants, and operations within.
• and over all that he had (וְעַל כָּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ ve'al kol asher lo): Broadens the scope beyond the house itself to encompass all property, resources, and affairs belonging to Potiphar, signifying complete and total trust and Joseph's expansive authority.
• that the Lord (יְהוָה Yahweh): Crucially, it is not an Egyptian deity but the covenant God of Israel who blesses. This asserts His sovereignty over all creation, even over pagan households and nations. This is a subtle polemic against the idea that local gods controlled prosperity.
• blessed (בֵּרַךְ berakh): To bestow favor, prosperity, fruitfulness, and success. It signifies divine approval and an increase in well-being and possessions.
• the Egyptian’s house (בֵּית הַמִּצְרִי beyt ha'mitzri): Potiphar's non-Israelite household. This highlights God's willingness to bless even those outside the covenant community for the sake of His people.
• for Joseph’s sake (בִּגְלַל יוֹסֵף biglal Yosef): This phrase is paramount. It clearly identifies Joseph as the direct cause and channel of the blessing. It wasn't because of anything inherent in Potiphar, but solely due to God's presence with and favor upon Joseph. This emphasizes divine providence working through individuals.
• and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. (וּבִרְכַּת יְהוָה הָיְתָה בְּכָל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ בַּבַּיִת וּבַשָּׂדֶה u'virkat Yahweh hayetah b'chol asher lo ba'bayit u'ba'sadeh): This phrase reiterates and expands the extent of the blessing. It confirms the blessing was comprehensive and manifested in both domestic affairs and agricultural pursuits, covering every aspect of Potiphar’s wealth and productivity. The specific mention of "the field" (agriculture was the primary economic base) emphasizes the tangible, material prosperity.

Genesis 39 5 Bonus section

The consistent repetition of "the Lord was with Joseph" (Gen 39:2-3, 21, 23) serves as the theological backbone for understanding the blessing in verse 5. It is God's direct, intimate presence and active intervention on Joseph's behalf that translates into visible success and blessings for all associated with him. This illustrates a key biblical concept: divine favor, rather than human skill or circumstances alone, is the ultimate driver of true prosperity and flourishing. The blessing in Genesis 39:5 is an anticipatory shadow of how God would bless the Gentiles through Israel, particularly through the Messiah (Gen 12:3). Joseph's role as a conduit of blessing to an Egyptian household foreshadows a larger divine plan for salvation and blessing that extends beyond the initial covenant people. This verse subtly contrasts the Egyptian belief in a multitude of gods each responsible for different aspects of life and fertility, by powerfully showing that the single God, Yahweh, controls and bestows all forms of prosperity.

Genesis 39 5 Commentary

Genesis 39:5 reveals a profound truth about God's active involvement in the world through His faithful servants. It encapsulates the principle that God blesses the surroundings of the righteous. Joseph, though a slave, possessed the Lord's favor and diligence, which transformed Potiphar's entire estate into a thriving enterprise. This was not a passive observation but an active pouring out of blessing by Yahweh, the sovereign God, to demonstrate His presence and power through His chosen vessel. The explicit phrase "for Joseph's sake" (בִּגְלַל יוֹסֵף) removes any ambiguity about the source of the prosperity; it was not due to Potiphar's merits, gods, or managerial skills, but directly tied to God's covenant loyalty and love for Joseph. This material prosperity served as a visible testament to Potiphar, and likely to others, that Joseph's God was real, active, and the ultimate source of all blessings, surpassing any local pagan deities. It underscores God's providential care even in the most challenging circumstances and demonstrates that a believer's faithfulness can have far-reaching positive effects on those around them, fostering both material well-being and spiritual testimony.