Genesis 39:11

11 And it came to pass about this time that Joseph went into the house to do his business, and there were none of the men of the house there within.

Genesis 39:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 39:11

And it came to pass about this time
About a week, or a month, or rather a year, as Aben Ezra thinks, after she first began her solicitations to him. According to Josephus F18, it was a public festival, at which women used to attend; but she excused herself, pretending illness; and so Jarchi takes it to be some noted day at the idol's temple, to which all used to go; but she pretended she was sick, and could not go, knowing that Joseph would not be there, but at home, and therefore judged this a fit opportunity to attack him once more: and so it was, that [Joseph] went into the house to do his business:
to inspect the accounts, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan paraphrase it, and settle them: and [there was] none of the men of the house there within;
being all gone to the public festival, or however there were none in that part of the house where Joseph was.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 4. sect. 3.

Genesis 39:11 In-Context

9 There is none greater in this house than I, neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her to lie by her or to be with her.
11 And it came to pass about this time that Joseph went into the house to do his business, and there were none of the men of the house there within.
12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and got himself out.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled forth,
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.