Genesis 39:2-12

2 And the Lord was with him, and he was a man doing with prosperity in all things (and made him prosperous in all things). And Joseph dwelled in the house of his lord,

3 which knew full well that the Lord was with Joseph, and that all things which he did, were (ad)dressed of the Lord in his hand. (who knew full well that the Lord was with Joseph, and that all the things which he did were directed by the hand of the Lord.)

4 And Joseph found grace before his lord, and he served him, of whom Joseph was made sovereign of all things (who made Joseph the ruler over all his things), and he governed the house betaken to him, and all (the) things that were betaken to him.

5 And the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph, and multiplied all his chattel, as well in houses, as in fields; (And the Lord blessed the Egyptian's household for Joseph's sake, and multiplied his possessions, yea, all that he had in his house, and all that he had in his fields;)

6 neither he knew any other thing, but [the] bread which he ate. Forsooth Joseph was fair in face, and shapely in sight.

7 And so after many days the lady (of his lord) cast her eyes into Joseph, and said, Sleep thou with me; (And so after many days the lady of his lord cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, Lie thou with me;)

8 which assented not to the unleaveful work, and said to her, Lo! while all things be betaken to me, my lord wot not what he hath in his house, (who assented not to the unlawful deed, and said to her, Lo! while he hath entrusted all his things to me, my lord knoweth not what he hath in his own house,)

9 neither anything is, which is not in my power, either which he hath not betaken to me, except thee, which art his wife; how therefore may I do this evil, and do sin against my lord? (and there is nothing, which is not in my power, or which he hath not entrusted to me, except thee, who art his wife; and so how can I do this evil thing, and sin against God?/and sin against the Lord?)

10 They spake such words by all days/by long time, and the woman was dis-easeful to the young man, and he forsook the adultery. (They spoke such words for a long time, and the woman distressed the young man, but he forsook the adultery.)

11 Forsooth it befelled in a day, that Joseph entered into the house, and did some work without witnesses.

12 And she took the hem of his cloth, and she said, Sleep thou with me; and he left the mantle in her hand, and he fled, and went out. (And she took hold of the hem of his cloak, and said, Lie thou with me; and he left the cloak in her hands, and he fled away.)

Genesis 39:2-12 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.