Genesis 39:7

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

And it came to pass after {H310} these things {H1697}, that his master's {H113} wife {H802} cast {H5375} her eyes {H5869} upon Joseph {H3130}; and she said {H559}, Lie {H7901} with me.

In time, the day came when his master's wife took a look at Yosef and said, "Sleep with me!"

and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.”

And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Commentary

Genesis 39:7 marks a pivotal moment in Joseph's life, introducing a significant challenge to his character and faithfulness while serving in Potiphar's house in Egypt. Having been sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph had risen remarkably through divine favor and his diligent work, becoming the overseer of Potiphar's entire household (Genesis 39:4). This verse highlights the immediate onset of a severe moral test following a period of great success and trust.

Context

Joseph, a young Hebrew man, was thriving in a foreign land despite his traumatic entry into Egypt. His master, Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, had placed complete trust in him, entrusting him with all his possessions (Genesis 39:6). The narrative explicitly mentions Joseph's physical attractiveness ("a goodly person, and well favoured"), which likely contributed to Potiphar's wife's attention. This verse sets the stage for a period of persistent temptation, demonstrating that favor and prosperity do not exempt one from moral trials.

Key Themes

  • Temptation and Moral Integrity: The verse introduces a direct and explicit sexual proposition, testing Joseph's commitment to purity and his loyalty to God and his master. This is a classic example of temptation arising from a position of trust and visibility.
  • Faithfulness in Adversity: Even in a foreign land, far from his family and the direct influence of his father's faith, Joseph maintains his moral compass. His subsequent refusal in Genesis 39:9 demonstrates remarkable integrity.
  • The Nature of Sin: Potiphar's wife's action is portrayed as a deliberate act of lust and an abuse of her position, initiating a chain of events that would further test Joseph's character.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cast her eyes upon Joseph" (Hebrew: וַתִּשָּׂא אֵשֶׁת־אֲדֹנָיו אֶת־עֵינֶיהָ אֶל־יוֹסֵף, vattissa eshet-adonayv et-eineha el-Yosef) signifies a deliberate, prolonged, and lustful gaze. It's not a casual glance but an intentional focusing of her desire on him. The subsequent "she said, Lie with me" (וַתֹּאמֶר שִׁכְבָה עִמִּי, vattomer shikhvah immi) is a direct, blunt, and explicit command, leaving no room for misinterpretation about her intentions. This directness underscores the force of the temptation Joseph faced.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons on the nature of temptation. It teaches us that:

  • Temptation can strike at any time, even in periods of success and blessing. Joseph was at the peak of his responsibilities in Potiphar's house when this trial began.
  • Temptation can come from unexpected sources. Here, it comes from someone in a position of authority and intimacy within the household.
  • The initial step of temptation often involves the eyes and a direct proposition. Guarding our gaze and being prepared to respond firmly to immoral suggestions are crucial.
  • Moral integrity requires a strong internal resolve. Joseph's subsequent actions remind us that God provides a way of escape from temptation, as promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13. This narrative also serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of adultery and sexual immorality.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Joseph's Coat of Many Colors and His Brothers' Jealousy Joseph: A Portrait of Sovereignty and Forgiveness Joseph in Prison: Interpreting Dreams Joseph's Forgiveness: "You Meant it for Evil, but God Meant it for Good" Lessons in Perseverance from the Life of Joseph

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 13:11

    And when she had brought [them] unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

  • Ezekiel 16:34

    And the contrary is in thee from [other] women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.

  • 2 Peter 2:14

    Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

  • Ezekiel 23:12

    She doted upon the Assyrians [her] neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.

  • Ezekiel 23:16

    And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.

  • Ezekiel 23:5

    And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians [her] neighbours,

  • Ezekiel 23:6

    [Which were] clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
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