Genesis 39:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then she said to him, "This Hebrew slave you brought us came in to make a fool of me.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then she told him the same story: “The Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me,

American Standard Version:

And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she spake^{H1696} unto him according to these words^{H1697}, saying^{H559}, The Hebrew^{H5680} servant^{H5650}, which thou hast brought^{H935} unto us, came in^{H935} unto me to mock^{H6711} me:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 39:17

Genesis 39:17 is a verse set within the larger narrative of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. The verse captures a pivotal moment in Joseph's story, where his integrity is put to the test. In this verse, the wife of Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official, falsely accuses Joseph of attempting to seduce her. The historical context places us in the era of the patriarchs, where slavery was common, and Joseph, as a foreign slave in Egypt, was in a precarious and vulnerable position.

The themes present in this verse include false accusation, sexual purity, and the faithfulness of Joseph. Despite being faced with temptation and the potential for personal gain, Joseph maintains his moral integrity, which is evidenced by his refusal to succumb to his master's wife's advances. His commitment to righteousness is met with false allegations, which lead to his imprisonment. This moment underscores the recurring theme in Joseph's life of unjust suffering, which ultimately serves as a prelude to his later exaltation and role in God's providential plan.

The verse also touches on the dynamics of power and gender in ancient societies. Potiphar's wife, as the mistress of the household, wields a certain level of authority over the slaves, and her accusation against Joseph demonstrates how those in power could manipulate situations to their advantage, often at the expense of those with no social standing or recourse to justice.

In summary, Genesis 39:17 reflects the themes of integrity in the face of temptation, the vulnerability of the marginalized, the abuse of power, and the enduring faith of Joseph, whose steadfastness will later lead to his rise to prominence in Egypt and the fulfillment of his divine destiny.

*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: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5680
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִבְרִי
   Transliteration: ʻIbrîy
   Pronunciation: ib-ree'
   Description: patronymic from עֵבֵר; an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber; Hebrew(-ess, woman).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
6. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6711
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָחַק
   Transliteration: tsâchaq
   Pronunciation: tsaw-khak'
   Description: a primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport; laugh, mock, play, make sport.