Genesis 39:10

10 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.

Genesis 39:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 39:10

And it came to pass, that as she spake to Joseph day by day,
&c.] Continually, incessantly, hoping in time to prevail upon him to comply with her desires; so that the temptation, as it was strong, and very ensnaring, it was urgent, and frequent, and pressed with great importunity; which required the more grace and spiritual strength to resist: that he hearkened not unto her;
not only did not yield to her, but would not give her an hearing, at least as little as possible he could, lest he should be overcome by her persuasions: to lie by her, [or] to be with her;
she might tempt him to lie by her, if he would not lie with her; or to lie, as Aben Ezra interprets it, in a place near her, in a chamber next to hers, in hopes by degrees to gain her point; but he would not yield to either, nor to be in her company, and have any conversation with her, at least as little as possible, that he might not be in the way of temptation, and be led into it; though these phrases may all signify carnal copulation with her, which was what his mistress solicited, and he would not hearken to her in, and comply with her.

Genesis 39:10 In-Context

8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.

9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

10 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.

11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work.

12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.