And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

GENESIS 39:5KJV
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Genesis 39:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 39:5 mean?

Genesis 39:5 says that from the moment Joseph was put in charge of his Egyptian master's household and possessions, the LORD blessed everything the Egyptian owned, both in the house and in the fields, because of Joseph. The verse highlights that the blessing was not just on Joseph, but extended to all that belonged to his master.

Genesis 39:5 describes a turning point in Joseph’s life after he was sold into slavery and put to work in Potiphar’s house. The verse shows that Joseph’s faithful service led his master to trust him with everything, and as a result, God’s favor brought prosperity to the entire household. This sets up the story of Joseph’s rise, showing how God’s presence with him benefited even those around him.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 39:5

  • "Overseer" (פָּקַד, pāqad): This word means someone given responsibility or put in charge. In this verse, it shows that Joseph was not just a servant, but was trusted with managing everything in the house.
  • "Blessed" (בָּרַךְ, bārach): This word means to bestow favor or good things. The verse emphasizes that the LORD’s blessing was active and visible, affecting all areas of Potiphar’s life.
  • "Blessing" (בְּרָכָה, berākhāh): This is the result of being blessed, and here it is described as touching both the house (בַּיִת, bayit) and the field (שָׂדֶה, sadeh), showing the completeness of God’s favor.

Why Genesis 39:5 matters

  • Genesis 39:5 clarifies that Joseph’s presence brought tangible benefits to Potiphar, not just spiritual or personal ones, but prosperity in all areas of life.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s blessing can extend beyond the individual to those connected with them, highlighting a theme seen elsewhere in Genesis.
  • This verse connects to the broader story by showing that Joseph’s faithfulness and God’s favor are key reasons for his later rise to power, even in difficult circumstances.

Where else these words appear

“sake” Hebrew H1558 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
  • Deuteronomy 15:10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
  • Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

“time” Hebrew H227 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • 1 Kings 9:11 ( Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

“Egyptian's” Hebrew H4713 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Deuteronomy 26:6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:

“blessing” Hebrew H1293 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • Deuteronomy 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
  • Psalms 109:17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.