Genesis 39.1-23

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

A Word on Bookends

Today we are going to discuss bookends. “But Chris,” you say, “this is the bible. In cyberspace. What do we need bookends for?” Well, we need them to frame narratives.

Genesis 37 ends with the Midianites/Ishmaelites (because of the J/E-interweaving, the two are interchangeable) selling Joseph to Potiphar in Egypt: 

Meanwhile the Midianites [Ishmaelites] had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.

(Gen. 37.36).

The following chapter, Genesis 38, consists of an aside regarding Judah and Tamar. Only it is not really an aside. It contains very important messages about familial duty, the wrath of God, and what to do when you inadvertently have sex with your widowed daughter-in-law, who is promised to your son. It was inserted for a reason. How do we know this? Well, the fact that it is an interjection that is completely out of place is a good indication. Also, check out the first line of Genesis 39:

Now Joseph was taken down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, and Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites [Midianites] who had brought him down there.

(Gen. 39.1)

See the similarities between the last line of chapter 37 and the first line of 39? They are like matching bookends. The latter reintroduces the reader to the story using language similar to the formal. This reintroduction would not be necessary if the narrative were continuous. So why is the interrupted? One theory is that the story between the two bookends (end of 37 and beginning of 39) was felt to be necessary, but did not quite fit, so it was inserted into the text. But because it shifts the narrative, the narrative must be shifted back when the interrupting story ends. Very elegant. Chapter numbers are a late addition to the bible. They tend to help make sense in identifying these interrupting passages, however, because the interrupting passage will generally take up one chapter within a longer narrative.

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife: Genesis 39.1-23

Joseph is owned by Potiphar, a captain of the Egyptian guard. Joseph’s true master, however, is the Lord, who makes him successful. Potiphar realizes this and appoints Joseph to oversee his house. The Lord blesses this too, and Potiphar’s family lives a pretty good life.

Joseph is a pretty good looking guy, and Potiphar’s wife wants him. Badly. But Joseph refuses, as she is the one thing that Potiphar denies him. Furthermore, to sleep with her would be a sin against God. But that doesn’t stop Potiphar’s wife from begging for sex.

One day Potiphar’s wife desperately grabs Josephb’s garments in an attempt to get him to sleep with her. He runs away, leaving his clothing behind. Potiphar then tells the members of the family that he tried to sleep with her, but ran when she cried out, leaving his clothes behind.

Potiphar is understandably enraged, and throws Joseph into prison. But even in prison the Lord is kind to Joseph, and Joseph gains favor with the chief jailor. That jailor falls under the same spell as Potiphar, and appoints Joseph as overseer of all the prisoners. “…[A]nd whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper” (Gen. 39.23).