Character Profile
Name: Joseph
Age in Genesis 39: Likely in his late teens to early 20s
Tribe: One of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel); ancestor of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh – his father was Jacob and his mother Rachel- his little brother Benjamin.
He was: Faithful, Trustworthy, Resilient, Wise and Discerning
STORY
We’d love for you to open your bibles to Genesis 39:6–20 and read it. Or click the player at the top and you can follow along with us.
Joseph
The sun rose early over Egypt, its golden rays gliding across the polished stone of Potiphar’s estate. The servants stirred with the first light, carrying water, sweeping courtyards, preparing meals. Among them was Joseph, the young Hebrew slave, whose quiet strength and sharp mind had earned him a position of trust in the household.
Joseph moved with confidence, his robe dusty from morning errands, his hands strong from work but never hurried. Potiphar, a high-ranking officer of Pharaoh, trusted Joseph with everything—so much that he concerned himself with nothing but the food he ate.
One late afternoon, as the shadows stretched long and the palace began to cool, Joseph passed through the inner hallways of the house carrying scrolls. The wind blew softly through the open windows, rustling linen curtains.
A voice called gently, “Joseph.”
He turned, and there stood Potiphar’s wife, dressed in fine silk, her eyes fixed intently on him.
“Yes, mistress?” he asked politely, lowering his gaze respectfully.
Her voice was smooth like honey. “Come and lie with me.”
Joseph’s heart pounded. He froze. The silence between them thickened like desert heat.
He took a step back. “No, my lady. My master has placed everything in this house under my care. He trusts me completely. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
But she didn’t give up.
Day after day, morning and evening, in the halls, in the garden, even at the well—she watched him. Her whispers followed him like shadows.
“Joseph… no one needs to know.”
“Just for a moment.”
“You deserve pleasure, not just labour.”
But Joseph stayed away. He would not even be alone near her.
Then one day, just before noon, the palace fell oddly quiet. The servants had been sent out on errands. Joseph entered the house to complete his duties, not knowing he was alone.
As he passed through the corridor, she appeared again—this time suddenly, as if from nowhere. Her eyes burned with desire, her hand grabbed his cloak.
“Lie with me!” she said, her voice no longer sweet, but demanding.
Joseph felt his breath catch in his chest. He could smell the perfume on her robes, the tension in the air, the wrongness of the moment. His heart pounded with fear—not of her, but of sin.
“No!” he shouted.
He twisted from her grip and ran—leaving his cloak in her hands.
She stood there, trembling with rage, holding the empty garment. Her face darkened.
Moments later, her screams pierced the stillness.
“Help! A Hebrew has been brought to mock us! He came in to lie with me, but I screamed!”
Guards rushed in. The other servants returned in confusion. She held up the cloak like evidence, her face pale with feigned terror.
By the time Potiphar returned that evening, the stars were already scattering across the purple sky. She retold her lie, weeping dramatically.
Potiphar’s face turned hard as stone. His jaw clenched. Betrayal. Shame. Anger. Not at Joseph—perhaps deep down he doubted the story—but he could not allow scandal.
“Take him to the prison!” he commanded.
Joseph, wrists bound, walked silently under the moonlight. The cool air bit at his skin, but he did not hang his head. In his heart was sorrow, yes—but also peace. He had done what was right. And God was still with him.
PICTURE CREDIT : Pexels Free Images– Lukas Rychvalsky
