Verse

Genesis 39:8

ESV But he refused and said to his master 's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge.
NIV But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.
NASB But he refused and said to his master’s wife, 'Look, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put me in charge of all that he owns.
CSB But he refused. "Look," he said to his master’s wife, "with me here my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has put all that he owns under my authority.
NLT But Joseph refused. 'Look,' he told her, 'my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.
KJV But 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;
NKJV But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.

What does Genesis 39:8 mean?

Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:1) has put Joseph in a terrible position. Noticing that he is a good-looking, successful young slave (Genesis 39:6), she has demanded he have sex with her. Normally, disobeying the master's wife would hold grave consequences. Sleeping with the master's wife, on the other hand, could also lead to a death sentence for a slave.

Joseph's answer is supremely honorable and moral. He refuses to have sex with her, but he makes it clear to Potiphar's wife he is not doing so to avoid punishment. Nor is he concerned about being caught. Rather, he explains the great trust Potiphar has put in him (Genesis 39:9). To violate that trust, even by invitation, would be a despicable sin.
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