Genesis 39:20 - Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody.
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What does "Genesis 39:20" mean?
Genesis 39:20 describes Joseph's imprisonment after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. Let's break down the meaning:
"Joseph’s master took him..." This refers to Potiphar, Joseph's owner, who was a high-ranking official in Egypt, specifically the captain of the guard (Genesis 39:1). Potiphar, believing his wife's lies, took action against Joseph.
"...and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound..." Potiphar did not execute Joseph, even though he could have under the laws of the time for a slave who allegedly attempted to assault his master's wife. Instead, he had him imprisoned in a specific jail - the royal prison.
"...and he was there in custody." This simply states that Joseph was held under guard in the prison. He was not free to leave and was subject to the rules and authority of the prison.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Joseph's downfall: He goes from a position of trust and authority in Potiphar's house to being a prisoner.
The injustice of the situation: Joseph is punished for something he did not do, highlighting his innocence and suffering.
God's providence: While it seems like a setback, this imprisonment will later play a crucial role in God's plan to elevate Joseph to a position of power in Egypt, allowing him to save his family and the nation from famine. The fact that it was the king's prison meant that it was potentially a higher-status prison where Joseph might encounter important individuals, like the cupbearer and baker mentioned later in the story.
Genesis 39:20 - Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound, and he was there in custody.
What does "Genesis 39:20" mean?
Genesis 39:20 describes Joseph's imprisonment after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. Let's break down the meaning:
"Joseph’s master took him..." This refers to Potiphar, Joseph's owner, who was a high-ranking official in Egypt, specifically the captain of the guard (Genesis 39:1). Potiphar, believing his wife's lies, took action against Joseph.
"...and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound..." Potiphar did not execute Joseph, even though he could have under the laws of the time for a slave who allegedly attempted to assault his master's wife. Instead, he had him imprisoned in a specific jail - the royal prison.
"...and he was there in custody." This simply states that Joseph was held under guard in the prison. He was not free to leave and was subject to the rules and authority of the prison.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Joseph's downfall: He goes from a position of trust and authority in Potiphar's house to being a prisoner.
The injustice of the situation: Joseph is punished for something he did not do, highlighting his innocence and suffering.
God's providence: While it seems like a setback, this imprisonment will later play a crucial role in God's plan to elevate Joseph to a position of power in Egypt, allowing him to save his family and the nation from famine. The fact that it was the king's prison meant that it was potentially a higher-status prison where Joseph might encounter important individuals, like the cupbearer and baker mentioned later in the story.