Genesis 39:8-12

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 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife ,.... Reasoning with her about the evil nature of the crime she tempted him to, which to commit would be ingratitude, as well as injury to his master, and a sin against God; by which it appears that Joseph was a partaker of the grace of God, and that this was in strong exercise at this time, by which he was preserved from the temptation he was beset with: behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house ; what goods or money are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:9

There is none greater in this house than I ,.... Not any of the servants of the house, he was the chief of them, who had all the rest under him; or rather, "he himself is not greater F17 איננו גדול "non ipse magnus", Montanus; "ne ipse quidem est me major", Junius & Tremellius, Munster, Fagius, Drusius, Mercerus, Cartwright. in this house than I"; that is, his master was not greater than he: he had a greater propriety in the house and the things of it, and he had the original... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:10

And it came to pass, that as she spake to Joseph day by day ,.... Continually, incessantly, hoping in time to prevail upon him to comply with her desires; so that the temptation, as it was strong, and very ensnaring, it was urgent, and frequent, and pressed with great importunity; which required the more grace and spiritual strength to resist: that he hearkened not unto her ; not only did not yield to her, but would not give her an hearing, at least as little as possible he could, lest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:11

And it came to pass about this time ,.... About a week, or a month, or rather a year, as Aben Ezra thinks, after she first began her solicitations to him. According to Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 4. sect. 3. , it was a public festival, at which women used to attend; but she excused herself, pretending illness; and so Jarchi takes it to be some noted day at the idol's temple, to which all used to go; but she pretended she was sick, and could not go, knowing that Joseph would not be... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:8

My master wotteth not - Knoweth not, from the old Anglo-Saxon, witan , to know; hence, wit, intellect, understanding, wisdom, prudence. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:9

How then - ואיך veeik , and how? Joseph gives two most powerful reasons for his noncompliance with the wishes of his mistress: Gratitude to his master, to whom he owed all that he had. His fear of God, in whose sight it would be a heinous offense, and who would not fail to punish him for it. With the kindness of his master and the displeasure of God before his eyes, how could he be capable of committing an act of transgression, which would at once have distinguished him as the most... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:10

Verse 10 10.As she spake to Joseph day by day. The constancy of Joseph is commended; from which it appears that a real fear of God reigned in his mind. Whence it came to pass that he not only repelled one attack, but stood forth, to the last, the conqueror of all temptations. We know how easy it is to fall when Satan tempts us through another: because we seem exempt from blame, if he who induces us to commit the crime, bears a part of it. (146) Holy Joseph, therefore, must have been endowed... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:11

Verse 11 11.And it came to pass about this time. That is, in the process of time, seeing she will not desist from soliciting holy Joseph, it happens at length, that she adds force to blandishments. Now, Moses here describes the crisis (147) of the combat. Joseph had already exhibited a noble and memorable example of constancy; because, as a youth, so often tempted, through a constant succession of many days, he had preserved the even tenor of his way; and at that age, to which pardon is wont to... read more

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