Guiding Questions: Genesis 39

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. How does Genesis 39:1 vary from the end of Genesis 27 as to who sold Joseph; does the variance matter for the narrative?
  2. What is the difference between “ish matzliah” (a successful man) and “ish tzdadik”?
  3. How does Joseph manage as steward to Potiphar?
  4. What, initially, transpires (or does not) between Potiphar’s wife and Joseph – and according to text (Genesis 39:8–9), for what reason?
  5. In Genesis 39:11–18 what complaint does Potiphar’s wife voice? What is meant by the Hebrew “letzahek” (Genesis 39:14–17) and see Genesis 26:8 for use of this verb at an earlier point? (N.B. Potiphar was a castrate)
  6. Genesis 39:19–20 describe Joseph’s punishment. In those days (and later as well), is this normative for a slave who attempted rape of his master’s wife or was that the charge?
  7. In what type of prison was Joseph placed – for common prisoners or others?
  8. And how does Joseph fare in the “royal prison”? (Genesis 39:21–23)
  9. In all this time, is there any communication, as such (dream or otherwise), to Joseph from a “Divine source”? Any word as to Jacob and the family?

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  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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