Genesis 39:10

10 Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her.

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 he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care.

9 No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

10 Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her.

11 One day, however, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work, and not a single household servant was inside.

12 She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside.