Genesis 39:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When he heard me yelling like that, he left his robe with me and ran out."

Berean Standard Bible:

When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

American Standard Version:

and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled, and got him out.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it came to pass, when he heard{H8085} that I lifted up{H7311} my voice{H6963} and cried{H7121}, that he left{H5800} his garment{H899} with me{H681}, and fled{H5127}, and got him{H3318} out{H2351}.

Cross-References (KJV):


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Commentary for Genesis 39:15

Genesis 39:15 is a part of the narrative of Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (also known as Israel). The verse is situated within the broader context of the Joseph story, which spans Genesis 37-50. This story is set in the late second millennium BCE, during the patriarchal period of the Israelites, though the exact historical setting is difficult to verify.

**Themes:**
1. **False Accusation:** The verse captures a moment of false accusation against Joseph by Potiphar's wife. After Joseph rejects her advances, she accuses him of attempted rape, which leads to his imprisonment. This theme highlights the injustice Joseph faces and his integrity in the face of temptation.

2. **Integrity and Morality:** Despite being a foreign slave in Egypt, Joseph upholds his moral standards by refusing the wife of his master's advances. His actions reflect a strong personal ethic and faith in God.

3. **Divine Providence:** Joseph's experiences, including the false accusation, are part of a larger narrative arc where God's guidance and providence are evident. Joseph's trials eventually lead to his exaltation and the preservation of his family during a famine.

**Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Narratives:** The story of Joseph is part of the larger narrative of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph), which describes the early history of the Israelite people before they became a nation in Egypt.

- **Ancient Near Eastern Slavery:** Joseph's status as a slave reflects the common practice of slavery in the ancient Near East. Slaves could be prisoners of war, criminals, or individuals sold into slavery due to debt.

- **Egyptian Society:** The setting in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs provides a backdrop of a complex society with a highly structured social and legal system. Joseph's rise to power within the Egyptian court illustrates the potential for foreigners to achieve high status in ancient societies.

- **Cultural Practices:** The verse alludes to cultural norms regarding clothing and the significance of garments as tokens or evidence in legal matters, which was common in ancient societies.

In summary, Genesis 39:15 reflects themes of false accusation, integrity, and divine providence against the historical backdrop of the patriarchal narratives, ancient Near Eastern slavery, and Egyptian society. Joseph's experiences underscore the moral and religious themes central to the book of Genesis.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H8085
    There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַע
    Transliteration: shâmaʻ
    Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
    Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
  2. Strong's Number: H7311
    There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רוּם
    Transliteration: rûwm
    Pronunciation: room
    Description: a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.
  3. Strong's Number: H6963
    There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוֹל
    Transliteration: qôwl
    Pronunciation: kole
    Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
  4. Strong's Number: H7121
    There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָרָא
    Transliteration: qârâʼ
    Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
    Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
  5. Strong's Number: H5800
    There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָזַב
    Transliteration: ʻâzab
    Pronunciation: aw-zab'
    Description: a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely.
  6. Strong's Number: H899
    There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֶּגֶד
    Transliteration: beged
    Pronunciation: behg'-ed
    Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
  7. Strong's Number: H681
    There are 165 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֵצֶל
    Transliteration: ʼêtsel
    Pronunciation: ay'-tsel
    Description: from אָצַל (in the sense of joining); a side; (as a preposition) near; at, (hard) by, (from) (beside), near (unto), toward, with. See also בֵּית הָאֵצֶל.
  8. Strong's Number: H5127
    There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נוּס
    Transliteration: nûwç
    Pronunciation: noos
    Description: a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard.
  9. Strong's Number: H3318
    There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָצָא
    Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
    Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
    Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
  10. Strong's Number: H2351
    There are 159 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חוּץ
    Transliteration: chûwts
    Pronunciation: khoots
    Description: or (shortened) חֻץ; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.