The Meaning of Genesis 39:2 Explained

Genesis 39:2

KJV: And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

YLT: And Jehovah is with Joseph, and he is a prosperous man, and he is in the house of his lord the Egyptian,

Darby: And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

ASV: And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the LORD  was with Joseph,  and he was a prosperous  man;  and he was in the house  of his master  the Egyptian. 

What does Genesis 39:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 39:1-18 - Joseph In Potiphar's House
Ungodly families and employers owe more than they realize to the presence in their homes and businesses of those who love God; for God comes with His servants. See Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:21; Genesis 39:23, and Acts 7:9. But those who would enjoy that accompanying Presence must resist and overcome the appeals of the flesh. Days of outward prosperity are those in which we are most keenly tempted. The most venomous serpents coil in the damp heat of tropical forests. When temptation and opportunity meet, our case is hard indeed. At such times only God's grace can hold us back. As temptation presents itself again and again, it gives us opportunities of continued growth in strength and grace. Joseph had probably wrought out his noble answer in his own secret heart, and had lived by it, weeks before he flashed it forth. In the critical hour the mouth blurts out what the heart has been meditating. They who can rule themselves will be presently trusted to rule others. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 39

1  Joseph is bought by Potiphar, and preferred in the family
7  He resists temptation by Potiphar's Wife
13  He is falsely accused by her
20  He is cast into prison
21  God is with him there, and he is advanced by the keeper of prison

What do the individual words in Genesis 39:2 mean?

And was Yahweh with Joseph and he was a man successful in the house of his master the Egyptian
וַיְהִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אֶת־ יוֹסֵ֔ף וַיְהִ֖י אִ֣ישׁ מַצְלִ֑יחַ בְּבֵ֥ית אֲדֹנָ֖יו הַמִּצְרִֽי

וַיְהִ֤י  And  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
יְהוָה֙  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יוֹסֵ֔ף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
וַיְהִ֖י  and  he  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
אִ֣ישׁ  a  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
מַצְלִ֑יחַ  successful 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: צָלַח 
Sense: (Qal) to rush.
בְּבֵ֥ית  in  the  house 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
אֲדֹנָ֖יו  of  his  master 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
הַמִּצְרִֽי  the  Egyptian 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִצְרִי  
Sense: Egyptian—an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt.