Genesis 39:8

8 But 1he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge.

Genesis 39:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife
Reasoning with her about the evil nature of the crime she tempted him to, which to commit would be ingratitude, as well as injury to his master, and a sin against God; by which it appears that Joseph was a partaker of the grace of God, and that this was in strong exercise at this time, by which he was preserved from the temptation he was beset with: behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house;
what goods or money are in it: and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand:
such confidence did he repose in him, wherefore to do such an injury to him as to commit adultery with his wife, would be making a sad return, and acting a most ungrateful part for such favour shown him.

Genesis 39:8 In-Context

6 So he left everything he owned in Joseph's charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
7 It came about after these events that his master's wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me."
8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge.
9 "There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?"
10 As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Proverbs 6:23, 24

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit "does not know what is in the house"
  • [b]. Lit "hand"
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