Neville Goddard on Genesis 39:1-23 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Genesis 39 in context

Scripture Focus

1And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4And 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.

5And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

6And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

7And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

13And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

14That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:

15And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.

16And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

17And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

18And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

19And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

20And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

22And 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 doer of it.

23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Genesis 39:1-23

Biblical Context

Joseph is sold to Egypt and rises in Potiphar’s house because the Lord is with him. Temptation and false accusation lead to imprisonment, yet the Lord remains with him and makes all he does prosper.

Neville's Inner Vision

Joseph’s story is your inner drama, played out in symbols of a world that mirrors consciousness. He is moved into Egypt, yet the I AM—God within—travels with him, making all he does prosper. The master’s recognition of blessing is the outer sign that your inner state is alive with awareness. When you assume, like Joseph, that nothing is more powerful than fidelity to the divine presence, you invite prosperity to enter every room of your life. The temptation of Potiphar's wife is the moment to prove the fidelity of your mind—not to yield to fear or desire, but to stand in the truth that you are God’s, and God’s in you. The garment left behind and the flight from compromise symbolize shedding an old identity; a new role in consciousness emerges. Even when cast into a prison, your inner Lord remains, and mercy flows through you to all you touch. In this sense, the blessing rests not in external favor alone but in unshakable awareness: the LORD is with you, and all that you do prospers by that presence.

Practice This Now

Imaginative Act: Sit quietly and declare ‘I AM with me now’; revise your circumstance to reflect the divine presence and feel it as already done. Do this daily for a week, noticing how your outer life begins to reflect your inner alignment.