The Meaning of Genesis 39:4 Explained

Genesis 39:4

KJV: And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

YLT: and Joseph findeth grace in his eyes and serveth him, and he appointeth him over his house, and all that he hath he hath given into his hand.

Darby: And Joseph found favour in his eyes, and attended on him; and he set him over his house, and all that he had he gave into his hand.

ASV: And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Joseph  found  grace  in his sight,  and he served  him: and he made him overseer  over his house,  and all [that] he had  he put  into his hand. 

What does Genesis 39:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 39:1-18 - Joseph In Potiphar's House
Ungodly families and employers owe more than they realize to the presence in their homes and businesses of those who love God; for God comes with His servants. See Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:21; Genesis 39:23, and Acts 7:9. But those who would enjoy that accompanying Presence must resist and overcome the appeals of the flesh. Days of outward prosperity are those in which we are most keenly tempted. The most venomous serpents coil in the damp heat of tropical forests. When temptation and opportunity meet, our case is hard indeed. At such times only God's grace can hold us back. As temptation presents itself again and again, it gives us opportunities of continued growth in strength and grace. Joseph had probably wrought out his noble answer in his own secret heart, and had lived by it, weeks before he flashed it forth. In the critical hour the mouth blurts out what the heart has been meditating. They who can rule themselves will be presently trusted to rule others. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 39

1  Joseph is bought by Potiphar, and preferred in the family
7  He resists temptation by Potiphar's Wife
13  He is falsely accused by her
20  He is cast into prison
21  God is with him there, and he is advanced by the keeper of prison

What do the individual words in Genesis 39:4 mean?

So found Joseph favor in his sight and served him and he made him overseer of his house and all [that] he had to him he put in his hand
וַיִּמְצָ֨א יוֹסֵ֥ף חֵ֛ן בְּעֵינָ֖יו וַיְשָׁ֣רֶת אֹת֑וֹ וַיַּפְקִדֵ֙הוּ֙ עַל־ בֵּית֔וֹ וְכָל־ יֶשׁ־ ל֖וֹ נָתַ֥ן בְּיָדֽוֹ

וַיִּמְצָ֨א  So  found 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.
יוֹסֵ֥ף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
חֵ֛ן  favor 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֵן  
Sense: favour, grace, charm.
בְּעֵינָ֖יו  in  his  sight 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, cdc, third person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
וַיְשָׁ֣רֶת  and  served 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁרַת  
Sense: (Piel) to minister, serve, minister to.
וַיַּפְקִדֵ֙הוּ֙  and  he  made  him  overseer 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּקַד 
Sense: to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for.
בֵּית֔וֹ  his  house 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
וְכָל־  and  all 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
יֶשׁ־  [that]  he  had 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יֵשׁ  
Sense: being, existence, substance, there is or are.
ל֖וֹ  to  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
נָתַ֥ן  he  put 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
בְּיָדֽוֹ  in  his  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.