Gen. 39 God prospers Joseph in Potiphar’s service, Gen. 39:1–2. Potiphar observes it, and sets him over all his house, Gen. 39:3–6. He is a goodly person, and his mistress solicits him to lie with her, Gen. 39:7.

The Lord was with Joseph, with his gracious presence and blessing, as this phrase is taken here, Gen. 39:21, Gen. 21:22, Gen. 26:24. He was in the house of his master: he doth not endeavour to make an escape to his father, but demeaned himself patiently and faithfully in the station into which…

The heathens owned a supreme God, and his overruling providence in affairs, though they did not glorify him as God, but worshipped the creature with and more than the Creator, Rom. 1:25. In his hand, i.e. under his ministry, as this phrase is used, Ex. 4:13, Lev. 8:36, Prov. 26:6, and oft elsewhere.

He served him, not now as a slave, but in a higher degree. All that he had he put into his hand, i.e. committed to his care and management, as Gen. 16:6. Object. How could this be, when Joseph understood not the Egyptian tongue? Answ.

He took care for nothing, but that he might eat, and drink, and fare deliciously. Nor did he indeed take any care for that, it being provided for him by other hands.

She cast her eyes upon Joseph, in a lascivious and unchaste manner. See Job 31:1, Matt. 5:28, 2 Pet. 2:14.

He avoided her company and familiar conversation, as evil in itself, the present circumstances considered, and as an occasion of further evil. See Prov. 1:15, Prov. 5:8, 1 Cor. 15:33, 1 Thess. 5:22, 1 Tim. 5:14.

About this time, or, upon a certain day, which she thought convenient for the reason following. To do his business, that which belonged to his charge; to cast up his accounts, as the Chaldee renders it, which requiring privacy, gave her this opportunity.

He left his garment in her hand, which he would not strive to get from her, partly, for reverence to his mistress; partly, in detestation of her wickedness, whereby even his garment might seem to be infected; and partly, to put himself and her out of the danger of further temptation.

Unto the men of her house; to such as were in other parts of the house, whom she called in as witnesses for her husband’s satisfaction. He, i.e. my husband, whom she would not name, as it were out of disdain and high displeasure for being the occasion of this horrid affront.

So she makes her husband accessory to the crime, that she might provoke him to the sharper revenge.

An improbable story, and an evidence that the violence was on her side; otherwise, if he had attempted violence upon her person, he would not have forborne violence to the recovery of his garment, which he very well knew might be made a pretence against him.

Quest. Why did he not kill him, the crime being capital, and he having so undoubted a power in his hand to do it? Answ. It is probable he was a little moderated by Joseph’s apology, which doubtless he made for himself, though it be not here recorded. 2.

The gaoler, who under Potiphar was the keeper of that particular person.

They did nothing but by Joseph’s command or permission.