Genesis 39:10

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.

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, and said unto his master's wife, "Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand.

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.