Joseph in Egypt

Genesis Chapter 39-40

I. Observation Notes
• Who are the main characters? What do we know about them?
• Joseph:

• Potiphar:

• Potiphar’s Wife:

• Pharaoh’s Cupbearer & Baker:

• When do the events of this passage take place?

• This passage appears to take place immediately following the events of Chapter 37, since both
the end of Chapter 37 and the beginning of Chapter 39 refer to Joseph’s being purchased in
Egypt as a slave in Potiphar’s house. Chapters 38 and 39 are likely happening concurrently.
• Where do the events of this passage take place?
• The Events of this passage take place in Egypt, first in Potiphar’s house, then the royal prison.
• What is happening? (Summary of Events)
• Joseph is sold as a slave to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard (39:1)
• The Lord gave Joseph success in everything, and Potiphar noticed, so he put Joseph in charge
of his household (39:2-4)
• The Lord continued to bless Potiphar because of Joseph, so he put Joseph in charge of
everything (39:5-6)
• Potiphar’s wife begins to notice Joseph and repeatedly tries to sleep with him, but Joseph
refuses, not wanting to sin against his master or God (39:6-10)
• One day, Potiphar’s wife tried to get Joseph to sleep with her and as he was fleeing, she took
hold of his cloak and he left it behind. She then convinces the servants and Potiphar that
Joseph was trying to sleep with her. (v. 39:11-18)
• When Potiphar heard this, he became angry and threw Joseph in prison (39:19-20)
• The Lord was with Joseph in prison and he found favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who
eventually put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners. (39:20-23)
• After Joseph had been in prison awhile, Pharaoh imprisoned his cupbearer and baker (40:1-4)
• One night, both the cupbearer and the baker had dreams, each with its own meaning (40:5)
• Joseph noticed they were sad, so he asked them why, so they told him their dreams (40:6-19)
• The cupbearer’s dream meant that in three days he would be restored to his position (40:9-15)
• The baker’s dream meant that in three days, he would be hanged to death (40:16-19)
• Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, the cupbearer was restored to his position and the
baker was hanged to death, just as Joseph had interpreted from their dreams (40:20-22)
II. Interpretation
• What principles are illustrated in this passage? What is the main theme?

• What do we know or learn about God from this passage? What is his role in this chapter?

• What does the sequence of events in Joseph’s life thus far illustrate about God’s will?

• What, if anything, does this passage illustrate about success in the life of a believer?

III. Applications
• “God works all things together for the good…” (Romans 8:28)

• God works powerfully and visibly in the life of one who seeks and obeys him.

• Joseph’s success was not the result of his own ambitions for personal gain, but of serving the Lord
whole-heartedly, regardless of his circumstances.