Joseph's Imprisonment And God's Presence

Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt, a significant episode in the Genesis narrative, highlights the consistent theme of God's presence with him even amidst severe adversity. After being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was cast into prison, described as "a place where the king's prisoners were bound" ^[3]. This prison was likely a part of Potiphar's own house, possibly a round tower or fortress ^[3].

Despite his unjust suffering, the biblical text explicitly states, "But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison" (Genesis 39:21 KJV) ^[1]. This divine presence was not merely a passive observation but an active intervention that brought Joseph comfort and support ^[5]. John Gill notes that God's presence comforted Joseph, supported him, and sanctified his troubles, enabling him to endure patiently ^[5]. Matthew Henry similarly observes that God restrained Potiphar's wrath, preventing Joseph's death and ultimately turning his imprisonment into an opportunity for divine praise ^[4].

Josephus, the ancient Jewish historian, records that Joseph, entrusting his affairs to God, did not attempt to defend himself but silently endured his bonds, believing that God knew the truth and would prove more powerful than his tormentors ^[2]. This faith was quickly rewarded, as the prison keeper noticed Joseph's diligence ^[2]. Indeed, God "wrought upon the heart of this man," leading the keeper to show Joseph mercy, potentially removing his iron fetters and granting him greater liberty ^[5]. As a result, Joseph gained favor and was put in charge of all the other prisoners, with the keeper entrusting everything to his care because "the LORD was with him; and whatsoever he did, the LORD made it to prosper" (Genesis 39:23 KJV) ^[1]. This pattern of Joseph prospering and being placed in charge whenever God was with him is a recurring motif ^[7].

The period of Joseph's imprisonment was protracted, lasting at least two full years after he interpreted the dreams of the chief butler and baker ^[9]. During this time, Joseph might have experienced perplexing doubts, but his eventual release demonstrated that God's set time had come, and no human power could detain him indefinitely ^[8]. Calvin suggests that while Joseph's prayers are not recorded, his endurance without murmuring indicates his reliance on divine help, viewing fleeing to God as the sole support in affliction ^[6]. Calvin also points out that God intentionally allowed Joseph to suffer intensely, not immediately alleviating his distress, to demonstrate His ultimate providence ^[6].

Even in prison, God continued to work through Joseph, granting him the ability to interpret dreams for his fellow prisoners, the chief butler and the chief baker ^[10]. These dreams, divinely inspired, were crucial to Joseph's eventual release and elevation to power ^[10]. God's immediate access to the spirits of men allowed Him to use these dreams to further His purposes, even beyond the intentions of those involved ^[10]. Thus, Joseph's time in prison, though a period of suffering and injustice, was also a testament to God's unwavering presence, mercy, and providential plan, ultimately leading to his role in saving his family and Egypt from famine.

Sources

King James Version “[KJV] Genesis 39:21 — But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 5, section 1: . What Things Befell Joseph In Prison. 1. Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to God, did not betake himself to make his defense, nor to give an account of the exact circumstances of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds and the distress he was in, firmly believing that God, who knew the cause of his affliction, and the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him:—a proof of whose providence he quickly received; for the keeper of the prison taking notice of his care and fid”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prison — The first occasion on which we read of a prison is in the history of Joseph in Egypt. Then Potiphar, "Joseph's master, took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound" (Gen. 39:20-23). The Heb. word here used (sohar) means properly a round tower or fortress. It seems to have been a part of Potiphar's house, a place in which state prisoners were kept. The Mosaic law made no provision for imprisonment as a punishment. In the wilderness two persons were "put in ward" (Lev. 24:12; Num. 15:34), but it was only till the mind of”
Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:19: Here is, 1. Joseph wronged by his master. He believed the accusation, and either Joseph durst not make his defence by telling the truth, as it would reflect too much upon his mistress, or his master would not hear it, or would not believe it, and there is no remedy, he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment, Gen 39:19, Gen 39:20. God restrained his wrath, else he had put him to death; and that wrath which imprisoned him God made to turn to his praise, in order to which Providence so disposed that he should be shut up among the king's prisoners, the state-prisone”
Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 39:21: And the Lord was with Joseph,.... Comforting him with his presence under his afflictions; supporting him with his right hand; sanctifying all his troubles to him, and so causing him to bear them patiently and cheerfully: and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison; who was the underkeeper to Potiphar; God so wrought upon the heart of this man, that he was merciful to him, and took off the iron fetters, which hurt his feet, and gave him liberty to walk about; and many other favours and kindnesses he showed unto him, as follow.”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 16.15: does not record his prayers, yet, since it is certain that he was not crushed beneath the cross, and did not murmur against it, it is also probable that he was reposing on the hope of Divine help. And to flee unto God is the only stay which will support us in our afflictions, the only armor which renders us invincible. 21. But the Lord was with Joseph . It appears, from the testimony of the Psalmist just cited, that Joseph’s extreme sufferings were not immediately alleviated. The Lord purposely suffered him to be reduced to extr”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 39:21: 39:21-23 Joseph thrived in prison because God was with him. Each time Joseph prospered, he was put in charge of something.”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 41:14: Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph--Now that God's set time had come (Psa 105:19), no human power nor policy could detain Joseph in prison. During his protracted confinement, he might have often been distressed with perplexing doubts; but the mystery of Providence was about to be cleared up, and all his sorrows forgotten in the course of honor and public usefulness in which his services were to be employed. shaved himself--The Egyptians were the only Oriental nation that liked a smooth chin. All slaves and foreigners who were reduced to that cond”
Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 41:1: Observe, 1. The delay of Joseph's enlargement. It was not till the end of two full years (Gen 41:1); so long he waited after he had entrusted the chief butler with his case and began to have some prospect of relief. Note, We have need of patience, not only bearing, but waiting, patience. Joseph lay in prison until the time that his word came, Psa 105:19. There is a time set for the deliverance of God's people; that time will come, though it seem to tarry; and, when it comes, it will appear to have been the best time, and therefore we ought to wait for it (Hab 2:3”
Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 40:5: Observe, I. The special providence of God, which filled the heads of these two prisoners with unusual dreams, such as made extraordinary impressions upon them, and carried with them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note, God has immediate access to the spirits of men, which he can make serviceable to his own purposes whenever he pleases, quite beyond the intention of those concerned. To him all hearts are open, and anciently he spoke not only to his own people, but to others, in dreams, Job 33:15. Things to come were thus foretold, but very obscur”

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