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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.
Let us therefore make this our concern too, to have the Lord with us always so that what is done by us will be concluded successfully by him. You see, the person accorded this grace, even should he happen to find himself in the midst of troubles, will think nothing of them since the Lord of all, who creates and transforms everything, makes everything prosper for him and renders all difficulties easy. But how will we succeed in having the Lord with us and enjoying his guidance in everything? If we are vigilant and alert and imitate this young man’s self-control, his other virtues and noble attitude, and if we see that it is so necessary for us to perform all our duties precisely so as never to be condemned by the Lord. We perform our duties to acknowledge that it is impossible to escape the notice of that unsleeping eye and that instead the sinner cannot but become liable to his punishments. Let us not place greater weight on respect for human beings than on God’s anger but rather recall in every circumstance those words of Joseph, “How could I do this wicked deed and commit sin in God’s eyes?” So when some temptation disturbs us, let us turn these words over in our mind, and every unholy desire will immediately be put to flight.
What a grateful man! See how Joseph counts the blessings from his master so as to demonstrate the ingratitude she shows to her partner. “After all, I the servant,” he is saying, “the stranger, the captive, enjoyed such security at his hands that everything came under my control, and there is nothing that he has kept from my control except you; whereas I am personally in charge of everything, to you alone am I subordinate, and you in fact are beyond my authority.” Then, to deal her an opportune blow by reminding her of her husband’s favor and persuade her not to prove ungrateful to her partner, he said, “You in fact are beyond my authority ‘for the reason that you are his wife.’ So if you are really his wife, ‘how then could I do this wicked deed and commit sin in God’s eyes?’ ” You see, since she was looking for privacy and waiting for an opportunity in her anxiety to escape the notice of her husband and all the servants of the household, he said, “How could I manage to do this wicked thing and commit sin in God’s eyes?” I mean, what are you thinking of? Even if we succeed in escaping the notice of everyone, we will not be able to escape the notice of the unsleeping eye. That is the only one you need to fear, to be concerned and tremble about so as not to commit anything unlawful under his scrutiny.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 39:9 captures Joseph's profound moral conviction and unwavering commitment to God's holiness in the face of intense sexual temptation. His definitive rejection of Potiphar's wife's advances reveals a sophisticated understanding that sin, particularly adultery, is not merely a breach of human trust or societal convention but an ultimate and direct offense against the Almighty God. This pivotal moment underscores Joseph's deep-seated integrity and his recognition of divine accountability, even when no human authority is present to observe or enforce moral principles.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is a crucial turning point within the narrative of Joseph's time in Egypt, specifically his service in Potiphar's household. Following his unjust sale into slavery by his brothers, Joseph's diligence and God-given favor led Potiphar to entrust him with complete oversight of his estate. The preceding verses Genesis 39:1-6 establish Joseph's exceptional administrative capabilities and Potiphar's complete trust, culminating in the statement that Potiphar "knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat" Genesis 39:6. Immediately after this description of Joseph's prosperity and physical attractiveness, the narrative introduces the persistent and escalating temptation from Potiphar's wife Genesis 39:7-8. Joseph's response in Genesis 39:9 is his climactic and theologically rich refusal, setting the stage for his unjust imprisonment but ultimately, God's greater redemptive plan.
Historical & Cultural Context: Joseph's experience unfolds in ancient Egypt, a polytheistic society where moral standards, particularly regarding sexual purity, often differed significantly from the emerging monotheistic ethics of Abraham's descendants. Adultery, while generally frowned upon, might not have carried the same theological weight as an offense directly against a singular, holy God. Potiphar, as "an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard," held a position of considerable power and influence, making his household a microcosm of Egyptian elite society. Joseph, an enslaved foreigner, was in a vulnerable position, subject to the whims of his master and mistress. His refusal, therefore, was not merely a moral choice but a counter-cultural act of faith, demonstrating a commitment to a divine standard that transcended the prevailing norms of his environment.
Key Themes: Genesis 39:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of Divine Providence, showing how God is at work even in the most challenging and unjust circumstances of Joseph's life, preparing him for a greater purpose. It profoundly addresses the Nature of Sin, defining it not merely as a social transgression but as a direct affront to God's character and authority, a truth echoed by King David in Psalm 51:4. The verse also underscores the theme of Integrity and Faithfulness, demonstrating that true righteousness is maintained even when unobserved by human eyes, rooted in a conscious awareness of God's omnipresence. Furthermore, Joseph's steadfastness in the face of sexual temptation foreshadows the biblical emphasis on Sexual Purity and the sanctity of marriage, even prior to the detailed Mosaic Law. This episode serves as a testament to Joseph's Preparation for Leadership, illustrating how God tests and refines His servants in obscurity before elevating them to positions of public responsibility, a pattern seen throughout the biblical narrative, from Moses in Midian to David in the wilderness.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful Literary Devices. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question, "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer, but to emphasize the absolute impossibility and moral repugnance of the act from Joseph's perspective. It serves to highlight the depth of his conviction and the unshakeable nature of his moral compass. There is also a strong element of Contrast within Joseph's statement: he contrasts the immense trust and authority given to him by Potiphar with the singular, sacred boundary of Potiphar's wife. This contrast underscores the unique and inviolable nature of the marital bond. Furthermore, the phrase "great wickedness" coupled with "sin against God" employs Emphasis to magnify the gravity of the proposed transgression, elevating it from a mere human offense to a cosmic act of rebellion against the divine. This profound declaration also serves as Foreshadowing, revealing the deep spiritual character and integrity that will enable Joseph to navigate future trials and ultimately fulfill God's redemptive plan for his family.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's resolute stand in Genesis 39:9 provides a foundational biblical understanding of sin, transcending mere human and societal implications to reveal its ultimate nature as an "offense against God Himself." His integrity, maintained even in isolation and under immense pressure, underscores the principle that true righteousness is not dependent on external observation but on an internal, conscious awareness of God's omnipresence and His holy character. This episode powerfully illustrates the call to sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage, principles that predate the Mosaic Law and reflect God's unchanging moral standards. Joseph's faithfulness in this private trial is a testament to the fact that God often prepares His servants for greater public responsibilities through such tests of character.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's unwavering integrity in Genesis 39:9 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers navigating a world rife with temptation. His example challenges us to cultivate a deep, internal conviction that all sin, whether public or private, is ultimately an offense against a holy God, fostering a profound sense of accountability to Him alone. This awareness should empower us to resist temptation, knowing that God sees all and that our ultimate allegiance is to Him, not to fleeting desires or societal pressures. Joseph's decisive "how then can I?" teaches us the importance of establishing clear moral boundaries and, when necessary, taking radical steps—even fleeing—to preserve our integrity, echoing the New Testament call to flee fornication and resist the devil. By prioritizing God's honor above personal gratification or fear of consequences, we not only cultivate a character that glorifies Him but also position ourselves for His divine purposes, just as Joseph's faithfulness in this trial was a crucial step in his journey to becoming a savior for his family and the nation of Egypt Genesis 41:40-43.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Joseph's understanding that sin is "against God" so significant?
Answer: Joseph's declaration elevates sin beyond a mere social transgression or betrayal of human trust. It reveals a profound theological insight: all sin, regardless of its immediate victim or visible consequences, is fundamentally an act of rebellion against God's holy character, His commands, and His supreme authority. This perspective underscores the ultimate gravity of sin, shifting accountability from human judgment to divine judgment, and emphasizing God's omnipresence and moral sovereignty. It means that even seemingly "private" sins are deeply offensive to the Creator.
Did Potiphar's wife face any consequences for her actions?
Answer: The biblical narrative does not explicitly detail any direct, immediate consequences for Potiphar's wife. Her actions, however, led directly to Joseph's unjust imprisonment Genesis 39:19-20, which, ironically, became a crucial step in God's overarching plan to elevate Joseph to power and preserve his family during a severe famine. The focus of the narrative remains on Joseph's faithfulness and God's sovereign providence, rather than on the detailed retribution for his accuser.
How does Joseph's resistance to temptation compare to other biblical figures?
Answer: Joseph's resistance is a remarkable example of steadfastness, particularly unique because it occurs in a foreign land without the immediate support of his family or the formal Mosaic Law. His proactive stance and clear theological reasoning ("sin against God") set him apart. This contrasts sharply with figures like King David, who succumbed to similar temptations with Bathsheba, leading to severe consequences for himself and his kingdom 2 Samuel 11, or Samson, whose moral failures and lack of self-control ultimately led to his downfall and death Judges 16:1-21. Joseph's integrity under intense, prolonged pressure makes him a powerful and enduring model of moral purity and faithfulness.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's unwavering integrity in Genesis 39:9, his resolute refusal to compromise despite intense temptation, and his subsequent suffering for righteousness' sake, powerfully foreshadow the perfect obedience and sinless life of Jesus Christ. While Joseph was a man of integrity, he was still a fallen human; Christ, however, was "without sin" Hebrews 4:15, facing every conceivable temptation yet never yielding to evil. Joseph's profound declaration that sin is "against God" finds its ultimate and complete resolution in Christ, whose atoning sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied God's righteous wrath against all sin, bearing the full weight of humanity's rebellion against the Father 2 Corinthians 5:21. Just as Joseph was unjustly imprisoned but ultimately exalted to save many from physical death, Christ suffered unjustly, died, and was resurrected, becoming the ultimate Savior who delivers all who trust in Him from the power and eternal penalty of sin, leading them to eternal life and reconciliation with God Romans 5:8-10.