Genesis 39:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

NIV: And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

NASB: Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her.

CSB: Although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her.

NLT: She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

KJV: And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

NKJV: So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

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.

In chapter 37, Joseph narrowly escaped being murdered by his own brothers (Genesis 37:18–20), only to be sold as a slave (Genesis 37:26–28). Chapter 39 picks up his story after taking a detour into the scandalous life of Judah. Though a slave in Egypt, Joseph thrives under the Lord's blessing. He rises to the top position in his master's household, only to be jailed on a false accusation of attempted rape. Still, Joseph continues to be blessed by God, again rising to become the jailer's most trusted servant. Joseph's reputation and ability to interpret dreams will factor into his rise within the government of Egypt.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/4/2024 3:55:34 PM