Genesis 39:2-4

39:2 The Lord was with Joseph. He was successful 1  and lived 2  in the household of his Egyptian master. 39:3 His master observed that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he was doing successful. 3  39:4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. 4  Potiphar appointed Joseph 5  overseer of his household and put him in charge 6  of everything he owned.

Genesis 39:21

39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. 7  He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden. 8 

1 tn Heb “and he was a prosperous man.” This does not mean that Joseph became wealthy, but that he was successful in what he was doing, or making progress in his situation (see 24:21).

2 tn Heb “and he was.”

3 tn The Hebrew text adds “in his hand,” a phrase not included in the translation for stylistic reasons.

4 sn The Hebrew verb translated became his personal attendant refers to higher domestic service, usually along the lines of a personal attendant. Here Joseph is made the household steward, a position well-attested in Egyptian literature.

5 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Joseph) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

6 tn Heb “put into his hand.”

7 tn Heb “and he extended to him loyal love.”

8 tn Or “the chief jailer” (also in the following verses).