EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Genesis 39:1
"And 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."
"Chapter 20—Joseph in Egypt This chapter is based on Genesis 39 to 41 . Meanwhile, Joseph with his captors was on the way to Egypt. As the caravan journeyed southward toward the borders of Canaan, the boy could discern in the distance the hills among which lay his father's tents. Bitterly he wept at thought of that loving father in his loneliness and affliction. Again the scene at Dothan came up before him. He saw his angry brothers and felt their fierce glances bent upon him. The stinging, insulting words that had met his agonized entreaties were ringing in his ears. With a trembling heart he looked forward to the future. What a change in situation—from the tenderly cherished son to the despised and helpless slave! Alone and friendless, what would be his lot in the strange land to which he was going? For a time Joseph gave himself up to uncontrolled grief and terror. PP 213"
EGW references Genesis 39-41 and describes the events of Genesis 39:1.
Genesis 39:2
"And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian."
"Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's guard, in whose service he remained for ten years. He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character. He was in the midst of idolatry. The worship of false gods was surrounded by all the pomp of royalty, supported by the wealth and culture of the most highly civilized nation then in existence. Yet Joseph preserved his simplicity and his fidelity to God. The sights and sounds of vice were all about him, but he was as one who saw and heard not. His thoughts were not permitted to linger upon forbidden subjects. The desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians could not cause him to conceal his principles. Had he attempted to do this, he would have been overcome by temptation; but he was not ashamed of the religion of his fathers, and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of Jehovah. PP 214.2"
The EGW passage describes Joseph's faithfulness to God amidst the idolatry of Egypt, which directly relates to the statement in Genesis 39:2 that 'the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man.' The passage expands on the idea of God's presence and blessing in Joseph's life.
Genesis 39:3
"And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand."
"“And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man.... And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” Potiphar's confidence in Joseph increased daily, and he finally promoted him to be his steward, with full control over all his possessions. “And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat.” PP 214.3"
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on Genesis 39:3, highlighting Potiphar's recognition of God's presence and blessing in Joseph's life.
Genesis 39:9
"There 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?"
"As a shield from temptation and an inspiration to purity and truth, no other influence can equal the sense of God's presence. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.” Hebrews 4:13 ; Habakkuk 1:13 . This thought was Joseph's shield amidst the corruptions of Egypt. To the allurements of temptation his answer was steadfast: “How ... can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9 . Such a shield, faith, if cherished, will bring to every soul. Ed 255.3"
Ellen White directly references Genesis 39:9 in this passage.
Joseph's answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph's first thought was of God. “How ... can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” he said. PP 217.3 If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions, and that we must meet it all, we would fear to sin. Let the young ever remember that wherever they are, and whatever they do, they are in the presence of God. No part of our conduct escapes observation. We cannot hide our ways from the Most High. Human laws, though sometimes severe, are often transgressed without detection, and hence with impunity. But not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight …
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Genesis 39:9, using it as a foundation for her discussion of religious principle and the omnipresence of God.
Genesis 39:20
"And 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."
"Joseph suffered for his integrity, for his tempter revenged herself by accusing him of a foul crime, and causing him to be thrust into prison. Had Potiphar believed his wife's charge against Joseph, the young Hebrew would have lost his life; but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence; and yet, to save the reputation of his master's house, he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage. PP 218.1"
The EGW passage directly recounts the event described in Genesis 39:20, where Joseph is imprisoned. While not a direct quote, it's a clear and specific retelling of the biblical narrative.