📖 Biblical Definition
Genesis 39:20-23 records Joseph's second descent: from Potiphar's house (where he had risen to head steward) into Pharaoh's prison, on the false rape accusation of Potiphar's wife. Even there, the Lord was with Joseph; the keeper of the prison committed all the prisoners into Joseph's charge. There he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker (chapter 40), accurately predicting the butler's restoration and the baker's execution. The butler forgot Joseph for two more years.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
JOSEPH IN PRIS, n.
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A scriptural event; Joseph imprisoned for refusing Potiphar's wife.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 39:9 — "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
Genesis 39:20 — "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."
Genesis 39:21 — "But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
Genesis 40:23 — "Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity expects vindication on its timeline; Joseph waited two years in prison after a forgotten promise.
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Genesis 40:23 is one of the most painful verses in the Joseph narrative. Joseph correctly interpreted the butler's dream, asked the butler to remember him to Pharaoh, and waited. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Two more years passed (Gen 41:1) before Pharaoh dreamed his own dream and the butler finally remembered.
Modern Christianity expects vindication on its own timeline. The Lord's timeline includes forgotten promises, prison years, and friends who forget. Genesis 50:20 still stands: the Lord meant the prison for good. He was preparing Joseph for Pharaoh's court. If you have served faithfully and been forgotten, do not despair. The Lord remembers; the timing is His; the result is your good and the Lord's glory.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H5470 — sohar — round-house, prison
Usage
"Modern Christianity expects vindication on its timeline; Joseph waited two years after a forgotten promise."
"The Lord's timeline includes prison years and friends who forget."
"If you have served faithfully and been forgotten, do not despair; the Lord remembers."