Master

Lore & Background

The passages depict two distinct masters. Abraham, the master of a trusted servant, sends him to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:10, 37). The servant prays to the LORD God of his master Abraham for success (Genesis 24:12, 42) and later reports that the LORD led him to the house of his master's brethren (Genesis 24:27). Abraham is described as greatly blessed by the LORD with flocks, silver, gold, and servants (Genesis 24:35), and he has given all he has to his son Isaac (Genesis 24:36). The servant's loyalty is shown by swearing under Abraham's thigh (Genesis 24:9) and by refusing to delay his return (Genesis 24:54, 56). Potiphar, Joseph's master, is an Egyptian who sees that the LORD is with Joseph and prospers all he does (Genesis 39:2, 3). Potiphar commits all he has to Joseph's hand (Genesis 39:8). However, when Potiphar's wife falsely accuses Joseph, Potiphar's wrath is kindled, and he imprisons Joseph (Genesis 39:19, 20). The term "master" thus covers both a benevolent patriarch and a foreign official who ultimately punishes his servant.

Reader's Guide

The passages portray "master" as a figure of authority and ownership, but with varying dynamics. For Abraham, the master-servant relationship is marked by trust and divine guidance: the servant swears an oath under Abraham's thigh (Genesis 24:9), carries his goods (Genesis 24:10), and prays to Abraham's God for success (Genesis 24:12). The servant repeatedly refers to Abraham as "my master" (Genesis 24:27, 35, 36, 37, 39, 42, 44, 48, 49, 54, 56, 65), emphasizing loyalty and the master's blessing. Abraham's wealth and authority are highlighted (Genesis 24:35), and the servant's mission is to secure a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son (Genesis 24:37). In contrast, Potiphar's role as master is more transactional. He recognizes Joseph's prosperity from the LORD (Genesis 39:3) and entrusts him with everything (Genesis 39:8), but when his wife accuses Joseph, Potiphar reacts with anger and imprisons him without investigation (Genesis 39:19, 20). The term "master" here denotes legal authority but not personal loyalty or divine favor. The passages thus show that a master can be a source of blessing or of punishment, depending on the context.

Did You Know?

• Abraham's servant swore by placing his hand under Abraham's thigh (Genesis 24:9).
• The servant took ten camels from his master's herd to Mesopotamia (Genesis 24:10).
• Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, saying 'Lie with me' (Genesis 39:7).
• Joseph's master imprisoned him after his wife's accusation (Genesis 39:20).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"A ruler is a person who exercises dominion or power over others." — Master "The people ... have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers." — Master "But who will guard the guards themselves?" — Master "The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change." — Master