Genesis 39:17

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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:

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 39:17 captures the climax of Potiphar's wife's deceit, as she falsely accuses Joseph to her husband, claiming the "Hebrew servant" attempted to mock her after she failed to seduce him. This fabricated narrative, designed to protect her reputation and exact revenge, sets the stage for Joseph's unjust imprisonment, yet ultimately serves God's sovereign plan.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 39:17 marks the culmination of Potiphar's wife's malicious plot against Joseph. As a [Hebrew servant](/genesis/39-2 "Read about God's blessing on Joseph in Genesis 39:2") in a powerful Egyptian household, Joseph consistently resisted her sexual advances, prioritizing his integrity and fear of God ([Genesis 39:8-9](/genesis/39-8 "Learn about Joseph's refusal in Genesis 39:8")). After he fled, leaving his garment behind ([Genesis 39:12](/genesis/39-12 "Read about Joseph fleeing and leaving his garment in Genesis 39:12")), she used this as "evidence," first fabricating a story to her household servants ([Genesis 39:13-16](/genesis/39-13 "Read about Potiphar's wife's initial lie to her servants in Genesis 39:13-16")). In this verse, she repeats and solidifies her lie to Potiphar, transforming Joseph's righteous escape from temptation into an act of brazen insolence and "mockery."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text states, "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." This verse reveals the calculated nature of Potiphar's wife's deception. Her phrase "according to these words" indicates a rehearsed narrative, consistent with the lie she had already told her servants, reinforcing its supposed credibility to her husband.

Her phrasing, "The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us," is highly manipulative. By emphasizing Joseph's foreign identity and subtly placing blame on Potiphar for bringing him into their household, she appeals to any existing Egyptian prejudices against foreigners. This tactic aims to deflect suspicion from herself and strengthen her accusation against Joseph.

The core of her accusation is that Joseph "came in unto me to mock me." The Hebrew word translated "mock" is *tsachaq* (צָחַק). While it can mean "to laugh" or "to play," in this context, it carries strong connotations of inappropriate jesting, sexual play, or even deliberate insult and contempt. Potiphar's wife uses this term to portray Joseph's refusal as not merely an attempted assault, but a calculated act of disrespect and defiance against her and, by extension, against Potiphar's honor and household. This elevates the perceived offense from a failed seduction to a deliberate act of insolence, further demonizing Joseph in her husband's eyes and justifying a severe response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **False Witness and Slander:** This verse powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of [false witness](/exodus/20-16 "Read about the commandment against false witness in Exodus 20:16") and slander. Potiphar's wife deliberately distorts the truth, transforming Joseph's righteousness into an offense, driven by her own thwarted desires and desire for revenge.
* **Integrity Amidst Injustice:** Joseph's unwavering moral purity and his refusal to sin lead not to commendation but to severe punishment. This highlights that faithfulness does not always prevent suffering, but it preserves one's character and honor before God. Joseph's commitment to God remained steadfast even when it resulted in profound injustice.
* **Vulnerability of the Marginalized:** As a "Hebrew servant," Joseph was in a precarious social position. His word held little weight against that of his master's wife, underscoring the social hierarchy and lack of legal recourse for enslaved people in ancient Egypt. This exposes the systemic injustices faced by the vulnerable.
* **God's Sovereignty in Adversity:** While this moment appears to be a devastating setback for Joseph, it is paradoxically part of God's larger, redemptive plan. God's presence remained with Joseph even in prison ([Genesis 39:21](/genesis/39-21 "Learn about God's favor on Joseph in prison in Genesis 39:21")), orchestrating events to ultimately elevate him and save his family and many others from famine.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 39:17 offers timeless lessons for believers. Joseph's experience reminds us that maintaining integrity, especially in the face of temptation, is a foundational aspect of Christian living, even if it does not always yield immediate rewards or prevent hardship. We are called to stand firm in doing what is right, trusting in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, even when our good intentions or actions are twisted and used against us, leading to [unjust suffering](/1_peter/2-19 "Read about suffering for righteousness in 1 Peter 2:19"). This narrative also serves as a potent warning against the dangers of deceit and the destructive power of a lie to inflict damage, even on the innocent. Ultimately, Joseph's journey through this dark moment demonstrates that God can use even profound injustice for a greater, redemptive purpose, proving His faithfulness to those who walk uprightly.

### FAQ
**Why did Potiphar's wife accuse Joseph of "mocking" her?**

Answer: Potiphar's wife used the word "mock" (Hebrew: *tsachaq*) to escalate her accusation against Joseph. By claiming he came "to mock" her, she implied his actions were not merely an attempted sexual assault but a deliberate act of contempt, disrespect, and insolence towards her and her husband's household. This framing made his supposed offense more severe and justified a harsher punishment in Potiphar's eyes, portraying Joseph as a defiant and aggressive servant rather than merely one who resisted temptation.

**How does Joseph's experience in this verse relate to biblical themes of false accusation?**

Answer: Joseph's unjust accusation in Genesis 39:17 is a powerful biblical example of false witness and slander, which are strictly forbidden in the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Read the commandment against false witness in Exodus 20:16")). It highlights the devastating impact of lies on the innocent and the vulnerability of those in positions of lesser power. Throughout Scripture, God's people are often called to endure such trials, trusting in His ultimate justice and vindication, as seen in the lives of figures like David, Jeremiah, and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's experience in Genesis 39:17, enduring false accusation and unjust suffering despite his unwavering righteousness, powerfully prefigures the life of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was innocent yet faced malicious slander and betrayal, ultimately being condemned on false charges ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Read about false witnesses against Jesus in Matthew 26:59-60")). Joseph's descent into prison, a consequence of his integrity, parallels Christ's path to the cross, where He suffered unjustly for the sins of others. Yet, just as God used Joseph's suffering to bring about salvation for his family and many nations, Christ's sacrificial death, born of false accusation, became the means of salvation and eternal life for all humanity, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to bring ultimate good out of profound injustice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.