The Meaning of Genesis 39:3 Explained

Genesis 39:3

KJV: And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

YLT: and his lord seeth that Jehovah is with him, and all that he is doing Jehovah is causing to prosper in his hand,

Darby: And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

ASV: And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And his master  saw  that the LORD  [was] with him, and that the LORD  made all that he did  to prosper  in his hand. 

What does Genesis 39:3 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 39:3 mean?

And saw his master that Yahweh [was] with him and all that he did Yahweh made to prosper in his hand
וַיַּ֣רְא אֲדֹנָ֔יו כִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אִתּ֑וֹ וְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁר־ ה֣וּא עֹשֶׂ֔ה יְהוָ֖ה מַצְלִ֥יחַ בְּיָדֽוֹ

וַיַּ֣רְא  And  saw 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
אֲדֹנָ֔יו  his  master 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
כִּ֥י  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh  [was] 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אִתּ֑וֹ  with  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: אֵת 
Sense: with, near, together with.
וְכֹל֙  and  all 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
אֲשֶׁר־  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מַצְלִ֥יחַ  made  to  prosper 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: צָלַח 
Sense: (Qal) to rush.
בְּיָדֽוֹ  in  his  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.