Bible Strands
Genesis 39:6
So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Potiphar's total delegation of his household and assets to Joseph at the moment Joseph's administrative success becomes evident. This transfer of authority occurs immediately before Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce him.
The words — The Hebrew phrase וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֣ב (va/i.ya.'a.Zo) means "and he left," paired with כָּל־אֲשֶׁר (kol-'a.Sher, "all that") to emphasize Potiphar's complete relinquishment of control. The verb יָדַ֤ע (ya.Da', "he knew") in the clause "he did not concern himself with anything" literally denotes a lack of awareness or oversight.
The thread — This theme of absolute trust in a delegated servant parallels Proverbs 31:11, where a husband's heart trusts his wife and lacks nothing of value. The narrative also introduces Joseph's physical attractiveness, echoing descriptions of Rachel in Genesis 29:17 and David in 1 Samuel 16:12.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that institutional authority and personal appearance are temporary conditions that precede moral testing. It requires the reader to observe how complete human delegation sets the stage for divine providence and temptation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
Cross-references
- Genesis 29:17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
- 1 Samuel 16:12 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
- Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
- Luke 19:17 His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
- Genesis 12:14 So when Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
- Genesis 39:4 Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.
- Genesis 39:8 But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care.
- Genesis 39:23 The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
- Genesis 43:32 They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them.
- Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.