Genesis 39:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:7-12

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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:12

And she caught him by his garment, saying, lie with me ,.... It is very probable that before this time, as soon as ever she began to speak to him, he got away as fast as he could, and would not hear her; wherefore she now laid hold on his garment, in order to detain him, that she might have time to parley with him, and so prevail: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out ; it was his outward loose garment she laid hold on, out of which he slipped himself, and so got... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

Joseph is the house of Potiphar. I. PURCHASED AS A SLAVE . 1. A sad lot. Worse even than being kidnapped by strangers, Joseph had been first sold by his brethren; carried into Egypt, he had there been exposed for sale in a slave-market; and now, as if he had been a beast of burden or a captive taken in war, he had been a second time purchased for money. Few fortunes are more touchingly sorrowful or more deeply humiliating than this which was now measured out to Jacob's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

Sunshine and shadow. I. THE BRIGHTENING SKY . The advancement of Joseph in the house of Potiphar. 1. To Joseph's sense it was a lightening in his bondage. 2. To Joseph's faith it was the smiling of Jehovah's face. 3. To Joseph's hope it was the dawning of a better day. II. THE THREATENING CLOUD . The temptation of Joseph by his mistress. Here was— 1. An assault upon his virtue, which, unless it were overcome, would deprive him of Jehovah's favor, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

The righteous man. Again the word of the Lord tries Joseph, but not so much now as the word of prophecy, but as the word of command, the doctrine of righteousness. "The Egyptian's house is blessed for Joseph's sake." "The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man." A lesson on the true method of prosperity. A prosperous man is one who has the Lord with him— 1. To give him favor with fellow-men. 2. To teach him wisdom, and put things into his hand. 3. To give him the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:7-23

Joseph and the wife of Potiphar. I. THE GREAT TEMPTATION . 1. The time of it. Never perhaps had Joseph's prospects been brighter since he left his father's house than towards the close of that decade of years which he spent in the Egyptian officer's employ; and yet then it was that, like a thunderbolt shot from a clear sky, a fierce temptation burst upon him. 2. The occasion of it. This was the beauty of Joseph''s person. Things innocent and lovely in themselves may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 39:11-12

And it came to pass about this time (literally, at this day, i.e. it one day happened), that Joseph went into the house to do his business ( i.e. to attend to his accustomed duties); and there was none of the men of the house there within (or, in the hour). And she caught him by his garment (this was probably the long loose robe or mantle, with short sleeves, used in Oriental full dress), saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 39:1-23

- Joseph in Potiphar’s HouseAccording to our reckoning, Perez and Zerah were born when Judah was in his twenty-eighth year, and therefore, Joseph in his twenty-fourth. Here, then, we go back seven years to resume the story of Joseph.Genesis 39:1-6Joseph fares well with his first master. “Potiphar.” This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 37:0: “The Lord;” the God of covenant is with Joseph. “In the house.” Joseph was a domestic servant. “And his master saw.” The prosperity that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 39:10-12

Genesis 39:10-12 . She spake to Joseph from day to day Joseph was single, was in the vigour of youth, was a man of like passions with us, was solicited and importuned to gratify those passions, and that in a way that promised both present pleasure and profit, and by one on whom he was dependant, and whom it was dangerous to provoke; whose frown might be followed by great sufferings, and whose favour might advance and establish his prosperity: opportunity and privacy also were afforded. But... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

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