Joseph in Prison - Genesis 39:21-23

39:21-23 – I stopped at verse 20 last time with only 3 verses left in chapter 39 because I wanted to get more background on what Joseph’s experience in prison would have been like. I imagined it like the opening scene from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves where it’s starvation and torture and cutting off hands, etc. I also wondered how Joseph would have even had the opportunity to show his management capabilities if he was just stuck in a cell all day long like in the Count of Monte Cristo. So I wanted to get some insight into the logistics of his imprisonment so it would make more sense to me. Unfortunately I didn’t get the clarity that I was hoping for, with a consensus among scholars about the situation.

There were multiple articles written about how the prison that Joseph was put into was attached to Potiphar’s house and was more of a house arrest type of situation, so in that case, of course there would have been opportunity for God’s favor to shine through Joseph. This would make sense because it would explain how “the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the (overseer) of it.” So basically Joseph’s position changed from overseeing Potiphar’s household to overseeing the prison. It would also make sense that Joseph’s reputation would have preceded him if he were to go somewhere that was already familiar with who he was.

Many articles cited that ancient Egyptian law was especially harsh when it came to crimes against women, with adultery requiring the punishment of 1000 lashes, and rape being a capital offense. An article about Joseph’s situation on BibleHub says, “for his speedy elevation to a place of trust within the prison almost gives countenance to the idea that Potiphar did not believe his wife’s story, and only incarcerated Joseph for the sake of appearances.” This would go along with the theory that Joseph’s punishment was mild and that he gained special favor with the prison overseer because of his reputation with Potiphar’s household. If this theory is correct, Joseph’s situation was markedly worse than it was just being a slave in Potiphar’s household. So while we can say, “he might not have had it that bad,” Joseph’s imploring of the Pharoah’s servant to “remember” him when he became free, indicates that he desperately wanted to go back to just being a slave, which is saying something.

The rest of the articles that I read talk about the prison that Joseph went to as being chosen by Potiphar “because it was the worst.” This is the exact opposite of the previous theory of light punishment for appearances only. Those who suggest that Joseph was sent to the worst prison cite Psalm 105:18 which, when read verse 17-19 says, “He sent a man before them- Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, until his prediction came true and the word of the Lord proved him right.” This suggests that Joseph’s incarceration wasn’t simple house arrest, but instead brutal confinement with harsh physical restraints and probably torture. It’s also noted that Joseph went to the prison where Pharoah’s personal prisoners were kept, and while we’ll see here shortly that it included his household staff, it probably also included traitors, enemies of the state, etc and we all know that those types of prisoners are not treated well or given the nicest prisons.

I’m not exactly sure which to believe because both makes sense when reasoned out, probably a mix of both to be honest. Joseph couldn’t have just been locked in a room and never interacted with like in the Count of Monte Cristo (the movie) because then he never would have been able to be in charge of anything nor would he have interacted with other prisoners. But it clearly wasn’t as benign as simple house arrest because Psalm105:18 is cited so much as well as a few other scriptural references about his poor treatment, and Joseph’s own words begging Pharoah’s staff member to remember him to free him when he was released and sent back to Pharoah. It was probably somewhere in the middle of the best and the worst, which would have been really rough, I couldn’t even imagine.

The IM notes, “The spiritual greatness of Joseph is a remarkable thing. How many people have become bitter over some real or imagined slight, or blamed the Lord for some personal tragedy? In the very midst of being faithful and holding true to that which is right, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison. How easy it would have been for him to give up, to say, ‘What’s the use of trying to serve God? All He does is punish me.’ But there was not a trace of bitterness, no blaming the Lord. Joseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God. He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. If any person had cause for discouragement and bitterness, it was Joseph, but he never faltered in his faith. Truly, Joseph is a model to be emulated.”