Genesis 39:9 NIV

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

Joseph’s rise to power (39:1-41:57)In contrast to Judah, Joseph was blameless in his behaviour in Egypt. Soon he was placed in charge of Potiphar’s household (39:1-6). When he rejected the immoral invitations of Potiphar’s wife, she turned against him bitterly and had him thrown into prison (7-20). Again his behaviour was blameless, and soon he was given a position of responsibility over the other prisoners (21-23).Among the prisoners who later joined Joseph were two of Pharaoh’s palace... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 39:9

wickedness. Heb r'a'a. See App-44 . sin. Heh. chat'a. . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 39:7-10

"And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hands: he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass as she spake to Joseph... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 39:9

9. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?—This remonstrance, when all inferior arguments had failed, embodied the true principle of moral purity—a principle always sufficient where it exists, and alone sufficient. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 39:7-23

Joseph was evidently in his mid-twenties at this time. He was in a "no win" position with Potiphar’s wife. As a slave he had to obey her, but as a trustworthy and moral servant of Potiphar he had to refuse her. The typical male clothing in patriarchal times consisted of mid-calf-length shorts and a tunic that resembled a long T-shirt (cf. Genesis 3:21; Genesis 37:3). [Note: Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 376.] Joseph regarded obedience to God as his primary responsibility (Genesis 39:9) and... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:1-23

Joseph in the House of Potiphar5. Overseer] rather, ’house-steward.’6. Potiphar left everything under Joseph’s control except his own food. There may be here an allusion to the strict caste laws of Egypt: cp. Genesis 43:32; Genesis 46:34.7. Joseph was yet but a youth, when temptations are strongest, and he was far removed from all the restraining influences of home. But He who was ’the fear of Isaac’ (Genesis 31:42) was ’the fear of Joseph ’also, and his resolute resistance to temptation... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 39:1-23

Genesis 39:9 'How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' So said Joseph, alone with Potiphar's wife? The unhappy woman had been enticing Joseph, then about twenty-seven years old, to gross and grievous sin. Sin had mastered her; she was the insane slave of its power. Now, she in turn craved, by a sort of dreadful 'law of sin,' to drag down another soul with her in the pit. Joseph was not a glorified spirit. He was a young mortal man, subject to 'like passions' with ours. The... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

JOSEPH IN PRISONGenesis 39:1-23"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life."- James 1:12DRAMATISTS and novelists, who make it their business to give accurate representations of human life, proceed upon the understanding that there is a plot in it, and that if you take the beginning or middle without the end, you must fail to comprehend these-prior parts. And a plot is pronounced good in proportion as, without violating truth to nature,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 39:1-23

CHAPTER 39 Joseph In Egypt 1. In Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:1-6 ) 2. Tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-18 ) 3. Joseph in prison (Genesis 39:19-23 ) Potiphar, the master of Joseph, was an officer of Pharaoh. His name means “devoted to Ra,” a god of Egypt. Why is it stated a number of times that Potiphar was an Egyptian? Discoveries have shown that Egypt had come at that time under a new dynasty; therefore it is repeatedly stated that Potiphar, the Egyptian, was retained in his... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 39:9

39:9 [There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against {g} God?(g) The fear of God preserved him against her continual temptations. read more