Genesis 39:11-23 ASV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:13-18

Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to make him a criminal, now endeavours to represent him as one; so to be revenged on him for his virtue. Now was her love turned into the utmost rage and malice, and she pretends she cannot endure the sight of him whom awhile ago she could not endure out of her sight. Chaste and holy love will continue, though slighted; but sinful love, like Amnon's to Tamar, is easily changed into sinful hatred. 1. She accused him to his fellow servants (Gen. 39:13-15)... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:19-23

Here is, 1. Joseph wronged by his master. He believed the accusation, and either Joseph durst not make his defence by telling the truth, as it would reflect too much upon his mistress, or his master would not hear it, or would not believe it, and there is no remedy, he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment, Gen. 39:19, 20. God restrained his wrath, else he had put him to death; and that wrath which imprisoned him God made to turn to his praise, in order to which Providence so disposed that he... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:13

And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand ,.... And so all hopes of succeeding in her addresses to him were over: and he was fled forth ; into the streets, or into some out house, where business was carried on by servants under him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:14

That she called unto the men of her house ,.... Of that part of the house which belonged to her; her eunuchs that waited upon her, or that were in another part of the home, at some distance: and spake unto them ; when they came to her: saying, see, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us : she means her husband, whom through contempt, and in her passion, she names not, having lost all affection for him, as her addresses to Joseph showed; and so the Targum of Jonathan supplies... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:15

And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried ,.... He attempting to ravish her, as she would have it understood, but afraid, lest upon her outcry those that were in the house should come in to her assistance, and seize on him: that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out : but why should he strip himself of his garment, and leave that behind him? he might have fled with it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:16

And she laid up his garment by her ,.... As a proof of what she laid to his charge, and as a testimony against him: until her lord came home ; or until his lord came home, for the pronoun refers to Joseph, and so Jarchi interprets it; who either was gone a journey, or gone to court that day, being an officer of Pharaoh's, or to the public place where the festival was kept that day, if it was such an one. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:17

And she spake unto him according to these words ,.... When her husband came home she related to him the above affair, according to the purport of the above words, and in much the same manner, and to the same import as she had to the men of her house: saying, the Hebrew servant which thou hast brought unto us came in unto me to mock me ; in an obscene manner, using filthy words and actions, contrary to the rules of chastity as well as good manners; or, in other words, to lie with her,... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:13-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 39:19-23

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:17

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