What does Genesis 39:10 mean?
Potiphar is the captain of the Egyptian royal guard and the owner of captive slave Joseph (Genesis 39:1). As it happened, Joseph's diligence and skill led to Potiphar giving him total authority in the home, to great success (Genesis 39:2–6). Joseph has also attracted the attention of his master's wife, who tempts Joseph to have sex with her (Genesis 39:7). His refusal is based in an honorable, moral stance: he refuses to betray the confidence of Potiphar or to sin against God (Genesis 39:8–9).However, Potiphar's wife may have been the type of noblewoman who was used to getting what she wanted. It's also possible she'd seduced other slaves in the past (Genesis 39:9), because her approach to Joseph is aggressive. She continues to attempt to seduce her husband's servant. The phrasing here suggests her efforts may have become either more subtle or more manipulative, and that Joseph is actively resisting her.
Unfortunately for Joseph, his refusal to give in will result in a spiteful reaction from this Egyptian wife (Genesis 39:11–15).
Genesis 39:1–18 describes Joseph's rise and fall as the slave of Potiphar, the captain of the guard in Egypt. He arrives in this situation after being sold by his own brothers (Genesis 37:26–28). The Lord continues to be with Joseph and to bless him. Potiphar promotes Joseph to the head manager of his household, even giving credit to the Joseph's God for all the success that follows. Potiphar's wife is also impressed with Joseph, but in a less honorable way. She persistently tempts him to sleep with her. When Joseph refuses, she unfairly frames the young Hebrew slave for attempted rape.
Joseph's arrival as a slave in Egypt is not the end of his story. The Lord continues to be with him and to bless him. Joseph rises to become the right-hand man of his master, Potiphar, the captain of the guard. Eventually, he is betrayed by a false accusation of rape by his master's scorned wife. Even then, Joseph finds the Lord is still with him, still blessing him, even in prison. Soon Joseph oversees every aspect of the prison, serving once again under God's faithful blessing.
