Genesis 39:7-17

7 After a while his master's wife began to desire Joseph, so she said, "Come to bed with me."

8 But Joseph refused and said to her, "My master doesn't concern himself with anything in the house. He trusts me with everything he owns.

9 No one in this house is greater than I. He's kept nothing back from me except you, because you're his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

10 Although she kept asking Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or be with her.

11 One day he went into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants were there.

12 She grabbed him by his clothes and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he ran outside and left his clothes in her hand.

13 When she realized that he had gone but had left his clothes behind,

14 she called her household servants and said to them, "Look! My husband brought this Hebrew here to fool around with us. He came in and tried to go to bed with me, but I screamed as loud as I could.

15 As soon as he heard me scream, he ran outside and left his clothes with me."

16 She kept Joseph's clothes with her until his master came home.

17 Then she told him the same story: "The Hebrew slave you brought here came in and tried to fool around with me.

Genesis 39:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 39

In this chapter the history returns to Joseph again, who being brought down to Egypt was sold to Potiphar, with whom he found favour, and who set him over his house, the Lord prospering everything in his hands, Ge 39:1-6; and being a young man of a comely aspect, his mistress lusted after him, and tempted him to lie with her from time to time, but he as constantly refused it, as being both ingratitude to his master, and a sin against God, Ge 39:7-10; at a certain time they being alone in the house, she renewed her solicitations, and laid hold on his garment, which he left in her hand and fled, Ge 39:11,12; upon which she called to her servants without, and accused Joseph of an ill design upon her, and reported the same to her husband when he came home, Ge 39:13-19; upon which his master put him into prison, but he found favour also with the keeper of it, who committed the prisoners and all things relative to them into his hands, Ge 39:20-23.