Genesis 39:3-13

3 Now his master ¹saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD ²caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4 So Joseph ³found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and ⁴all that he owned he put in his charge.

5 It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD ⁵blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus ⁶the LORD'S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

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 ⁷handsome in form and appearance.

7 It came about after these events ⁸that his master's wife looked * with desire at Joseph, and she said, "⁹Lie with me."

8 But ¹⁰he 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 "¹¹There 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 ¹²sin 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.

11 Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none * of the men of the household was there inside.

12 She caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside.

13 When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside,

Genesis 39:3-13 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.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 21:22; Genesis 26:28
• 2. Psalms 1:3
• 3. Genesis 18:3; Genesis 19:19
• 4. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 39:8, 22
• 5. Genesis 30:27
• 6. Deut 28:3, 4, 11
• 7. Genesis 29:17; 1 Samuel 16:12
• 8. Proverbs 7:15-20
• 9. 2 Samuel 13:11
• 10. Proverbs 6:23, 24
• 11. Genesis 41:40
• 12. Genesis 20:6; Genesis 42:18; 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalms 51:4

Footnotes

• [a] Or "ministered to him"
• [b] Lit "hand"
• [c] Lit "hand"
• [d] Lit "know"
• [e] Lit "bread"
• [f] Or "used to eat"
• [g] Lit "lifted up her eyes at"
• [h] Lit "does not know what is in the house"
• [i] Lit "hand"
• [j] Or "He is not greater"
• [k] Lit "about this day"
• [l] Lit "And it came about when"