Genesis 39:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”

NIV: and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, 'Come to bed with me!'

NASB: And it came about after these events that his master’s wife had her eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Sleep with me.'

CSB: After some time his master's wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, "Sleep with me."

NLT: and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. 'Come and sleep with me,' she demanded.

KJV: And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

NKJV: And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

The previous verse described Joseph's stunning good looks, using the same phrase ascribed to his mother, Rachel (Genesis 29:17). At this point, he is both attractive and highly successful (Genesis 39:3–6). His master, Potiphar, is the captain of the guard for the ruler of Egypt (Genesis 39:1). Joseph's attributes will now gain him more than respect and attention: they will inspire offers of temptation.

Potiphar's wife eventually took notice of Joseph, and has offered herself to him, sexually. It's hard to overstate what a terrible position this put Joseph in. First, as a slave, Joseph would be expected to obey his master's wife in nearly all things. To refuse her instructions could get him in serious trouble. Of course, the command in question would be an outright betrayal of his master, and likely punishable by death. How would Joseph respond?

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 5/5/2024 4:40:40 PM