Discovery BoxGenesis 21:2 
Context21:2 So Sarah became pregnant 1 and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him.
Genesis 39:4
Context39:4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. 2 Potiphar appointed Joseph 3 overseer of his household and put him in charge 4 of everything he owned.
Genesis 40:4
Context40:4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be their attendant, and he served them. 5
They spent some time in custody. 6
1 tn Or “she conceived.”
2 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.
3 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Joseph) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Heb “put into his hand.”
5 sn He served them. This is the same Hebrew verb, meaning “to serve as a personal attendant,” that was translated “became [his] servant” in 39:4.
6 tn Heb “they were days in custody.”
