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Commentary on Genesis 39 verses 7–12
Here is, I. A most shameful instance of impudence and immodesty in Joseph's mistress, the shame and scandal of her sex, perfectly lost to all virtue and honour, and not to be mentioned, nor thought of, without the utmost indignation. It was well that she was an Egyptian; for we must have shared in the confusion if such folly had been found in Israel. Observe,
I. Her sin began in the eye: She cast her eyes upon Joseph (Gen 39:7), who was a goodly person, and well-favoured, Gen 39:6. Note, (1.) Remarkable beauty, either of men or women, often proves a dangerous snare both to themselves and others, which forbids pride in it and commands constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it; favour is deceitful - deceiving. (2.) We have great need to make a covenant with our eyes (Job 31:1), lest the eye infect the heart. Joseph's mistress had a husband that ought to have been to her for a covering of the eyes from all others, Gen 20:16.
2.She was daring and shameless in the sin. With an impudent face, and a harlot's forehead, she said, Lie with me, having already, by her wanton looks and unchaste desires, committed adultery with him in her heart. Note, Where the unclean spirit gets possession and dominion in a soul, it is as with the possessed of the devils (Luk 8:27, Luk 8:29), the clothes of modesty are thrown off and the bands and fetters of shame are broken in pieces. When lust has got head, it will stick at nothing, blush at nothing; decency, and reputation, and conscience, are all sacrificed to that Baal-peor. 3. She was urgent and violent in the temptation. Often she had been denied with the strongest reasons, and yet as often renewed her vile solicitations. She spoke to him day by day, Gen 39:10. Now this was, (1.) Great wickedness in her, and showed her heart fully set to do evil. (2.) A great temptation to Joseph. The hand of Satan, no doubt, was in it, who, when he found he could not overcome him with troubles and the frowns of the world (for in them he still held fast his integrity), assaulted him with soft and charming pleasures, which have ruined more than the former, and have slain their ten-thousands.
II. Here is a most illustrious instance of virtue and resolved chastity in Joseph, who, by the grace of God, was enabled to resist and overcome this temptation; and, all things considered, his escape was, for aught I know, as great an instance of the divine power as the deliverance of the three children out of the fiery furnace.
1.The temptation he was assaulted with was very strong. Never was a more violent onset made upon the fort of chastity than this recorded here. (1.) The sin he was tempted to was uncleanness, which considering his youth, his beauty, his single state, and his plentiful living at the table of a ruler, was a sin which, one would think, might most easily beset him and betray him. (2.) The tempter was his mistress, a person of quality, whom it was his place to obey and his interest to oblige, whose favour would contribute more than any thing to his preferment, and by whose means he might arrive at the highest honours of the court. On the other hand, it was at his utmost peril if he slighted her, and made her his enemy. (3.) Opportunity makes a thief, makes an adulterer, and that favoured the temptation. The tempter was in the house with him; his business led him to be, without any suspicion, where she was; none of the family were within (Gen 39:11); there appeared no danger of its being ever discovered, or, if it should be suspected, his mistress would protect him. (4.) To all this was added importunity, frequent constant importunity, to such a degree that, at last, she laid violent hands on him.
2.His resistance of the temptation was very brave, and the victory truly honourable. The almighty grace of God enabled him to overcome this assault of the enemy,
(1.)By strength of reason; and wherever right reason may be heard, religion no doubt will carry the day. He argues from the respect he owed both to God and his master, Gen 39:8, Gen 39:9. [1.] He would not wrong his master, nor do such an irreparable injury to his honour. He considers, and urges, how kind his master had been to him, what a confidence he had reposed in him, in how many instances he had befriended him, for which he abhorred the thought of making such an ungrateful return. Note, We are bound in honour, as well as justice and gratitude, not in any thing to injure those that have a good opinion of us and place a trust in us, how secretly soever it may be done. See how he argues (Gen 39:9): "There is none greater in this house than I, therefore I will not do it." Note, Those that are great, instead of being proud of their greatness, should use it as an argument against sin. "Is none greater than I? Then I will scorn to do a wicked thing; it is below me to serve a base lust; I will not disparage myself so much." [2.] He would not offend his God. This is the chief argument with which he strengthens his aversion to the sin. How can I do this? not only, How shall I? or, How dare I? but, How can I? Id possumus, quod jure possumus - We can do that which we can do lawfully. It is good to shut out sin with the strongest bar, even that of an impossibility. He that is born of God cannot sin, Jo1 3:9. Three arguments Joseph urges upon himself. First, He considers who he was that was tempted. "I; others may perhaps take their liberty, but I cannot. I that am an Israelite in covenant with God, that profess religion, and relation to him: it is next to impossible for me to do so." Secondly, What the sin was to which he was tempted: This great wickedness. Others might look upon it as a small matter, a peccadillo, a trick of youth; but Joseph had another idea of it. In general, when at any time we are tempted to sin, we must consider the great wickedness there is in it, let sin appear sin (Rom 7:13), call it by its own name, and never go about to lessen it. Particularly let the sin of uncleanness always be looked upon as great wickedness, as an exceedingly sinful sin, that wars against the soul as much as any other. Thirdly, Against whom he was tempted to sin - against God; not only, "How shall I do it, and sin against my master, my mistress, myself, my own body and soul; but against God?" Note, Gracious souls look upon this as the worst thing in sin that it is against God, against his nature and his dominion, against his love and his design. Those that love God do for this reason hate sin.
(2.)By stedfastness of resolution. The grace of God enabled him to overcome the temptation by avoiding the tempter. [1.] He hearkened not to her, so much as to be with her, Gen 39:10. Note, Those that would be kept from harm must keep themselves out of harm's way. Avoid it, pass not by it. Nay, [2.] When she laid hold of him, he left his garment in her hand, Gen 39:12. He would not stay so much as to parley with the temptation, but flew out from it with the utmost abhorrence; he left his garment, as one escaping for his life. Note, It is better to lose a good coat than a good conscience.
For us to learn the surpassing virtue of the good man and the fact that not once or twice but many times he endured this pressure and resisted the invitation by ceaselessly counseling her, Scripture says, “Although she kept inviting him day after day, he did not yield to her.” When she observed him performing his duties in the house, she fell upon the young man like a wild animal grinding its teeth and grabbed his clothing to lay hold of him. Let us not pass this passage idly by. Instead, let us consider how much pressure the good man endured. I mean, in my view at any rate, it was not so remarkable that the three children survived unharmed in the middle of the Babylonian furnace and sustained no harm from the fire as it was remarkable and unprecedented that this remarkable young man had his clothes torn from him by this frenzied and intemperate woman without yielding to her. Instead, Joseph left the clothes in her hands and fled the scene in that condition. You see, just as those three children on account of their virtue enjoyed grace from on high and were seen to prove superior to the fire, so this man too, after making whatever effort he could and giving evidence of his struggle for continence with great intensity, enjoyed abundant help from on high. He all at once prevailed, thanks to such cooperation from God’s right hand, and slipped from the clutches of that lustful woman. Then one could see this remarkable man emerging, divested of his clothes but garbed in the vesture of chastity, as though escaping unharmed from some fiery furnace, not only not scorched by the flames but even more conspicuous and resplendent.
The young man is desired by his mistress but is not provoked to lust. He is asked and runs away. She who commanded in other matters, in this one thing coaxes and pleads. She loved him, or was it rather herself? I think that it was neither him nor herself. If she loved him, why did she want to ruin him? If she loved herself, why did she want to perish? Behold, I have proved that she did not love: she burned with the poison of lust but did not shine with the flame of charity. He, however, knew how to see what she did not know. Joseph was more beautiful within than without, fairer in the light of his heart than in the beauty of his body. Where the eye of that woman could not penetrate, there he enjoyed his own beauty. Therefore, as he beheld the interior beauty of chastity in the mirror of his conscience, when would he allow it to be stained or violated by the temptation of that woman? For this reason what he saw you too can see if you will—namely, the interior and spiritual beauty of chastity—provided that you have eyes for it. I will tell you something by way of an example. You love it in your wife; therefore do not hate in the wife of another what you love in your own. What do you love in your own wife? Chastity, of course. You hate it in another’s wife, when you are willing to destroy chastity by intimacy with her. What you love in your own wife you want to kill in the wife of another. How can you have a prayer of devotion, O murderer of chastity? Therefore preserve in the wife of another what you want to protect in your own, for in your wife you love her chastity rather than her body.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 39:10 vividly portrays Joseph's unwavering moral fortitude and profound integrity as he consistently resisted the persistent and calculated sexual advances of Potiphar's wife. This verse highlights his unyielding commitment to purity and his deep-seated reverence for God, demonstrating a steadfast refusal to compromise his character in the face of daily, relentless temptation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Repetition, specifically the phrase "day by day," which vividly communicates the persistent, unrelenting nature of Potiphar's wife's advances. This repetition emphasizes the extraordinary pressure Joseph endured and magnifies his unwavering resolve. There is also a strong element of Antithesis or Contrast at play: her persistent "speaking" (invitation to sin) is directly contrasted with Joseph's resolute "hearkened not" (refusal to comply). This stark opposition highlights the moral battle being waged and Joseph's steadfastness. Furthermore, the verse employs Synecdoche in the phrase "to lie by her, or to be with her," where specific actions (lying with, being with) represent the broader concept of sexual sin and moral compromise. This comprehensive refusal underscores Joseph's absolute commitment to purity, extending beyond the act itself to avoiding even the appearance or opportunity for sin. The narrative also uses Characterization by action, revealing Joseph's profound integrity and God-fearing nature through his consistent and courageous resistance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's steadfast resistance in Genesis 39:10 provides a profound theological lesson on the nature of temptation, the source of true integrity, and the comprehensive scope of biblical purity. It teaches that temptation is often a sustained, daily battle, not a singular event, requiring continuous vigilance and a deep-seated commitment to God's standards. Joseph's unwavering "no" was not merely a personal preference but a principled stand rooted in his understanding that all sin is ultimately an offense against a holy God, as he explicitly states in Genesis 39:9. This divine perspective provided the ultimate strength for his unwavering stand, demonstrating that true moral fortitude flows from a reverent fear of the Lord. The account also underscores the importance of establishing clear boundaries, not just against the sinful act itself, but against situations that could lead to compromise, embodying a holistic approach to purity.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's daily resistance to Potiphar's wife offers a profound and enduring model for believers navigating the pervasive temptations of contemporary life. His example encourages us to cultivate consistent moral and spiritual boundaries, recognizing that many temptations are not isolated incidents but persistent pressures that seek to erode our resolve incrementally. In a world saturated with easily accessible enticements, his steadfastness underscores the critical need for daily spiritual discipline, intentional boundary-setting, and a constant awareness of God's holy presence. By remembering that all sin is ultimately against God, as Joseph did, we can find the divine strength necessary to persevere in righteousness, trusting that God will provide a way of escape for those committed to obeying Him, even when the path leads through hardship or unjust suffering. Joseph's story reminds us that true integrity is forged in the crucible of daily, unseen battles, and that faithfulness in small, private moments of resistance builds the character necessary for greater challenges.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How does Joseph's daily resistance inform our approach to modern temptations, especially those that are persistent or subtle?
Answer: Joseph's "day by day" resistance highlights that many temptations are not singular events but ongoing pressures that require sustained vigilance and a consistent commitment to righteousness. In our modern world, where temptations can be easily accessed and are often subtly woven into daily routines (e.g., through digital media, social pressures, or workplace ethics), Joseph's example underscores the need for daily spiritual discipline, clear personal boundaries, and a constant awareness of God's presence and holiness. His active refusal to "hearken" or "be with" Potiphar's wife teaches us to not only avoid explicit sin but also to proactively steer clear of compromising situations or prolonged exposure to enticements. This proactive approach, rooted in a deep fear of God as seen in Genesis 39:9, provides strength to resist consistently rather than only in moments of crisis, fostering a lifestyle of integrity and purity.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's unwavering purity in the face of relentless, daily temptation powerfully foreshadows the perfect, untainted holiness of Jesus Christ. While Joseph, a man, had to actively "hearken not" and establish boundaries, Jesus, the God-man, was "in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Joseph's suffering for righteousness, leading to his unjust imprisonment but ultimate exaltation and provision for his people, mirrors Christ's innocent suffering, death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, which secured salvation and eternal provision for all humanity. Joseph's steadfast refusal to compromise, driven by his fear of God, points to Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will (John 8:29) and His ultimate victory over sin and temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). Through Christ, believers are not merely given an example to follow, but are empowered by His indwelling Spirit to overcome temptation, for "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Joseph's story ultimately serves as a shadow pointing to the one who perfectly fulfilled God's righteous demands and offers true freedom from sin's dominion.