genesis-39:7-11

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 39:7

39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, {f} Lie with me.(f) In this word he declares the purpose she was working towards. 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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 39:1-23

JOSEPH--A SUFFERER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS How good it is to turn from Judah's sordid history to consider Joseph's history of faithful devotedness to the Lord! The deepest blessing for us in this is of course in the fact of the refreshing way in which Joseph is a type of the Lord Jesus. Just as Joseph learns through suffering, so the Lord Jesus "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Joseph was sold in Egypt to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's bodyguard. But the Lord... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 39:1-23

JOSEPH ’S HISTORY DISPENSATIONAL ASPECT OF JACOB’S HISTORY Following F.W. Grant in the Numerical Bible, the life of Jacob gives as its lesson the story of that discipline by which the Spirit of God brings us from weakness to power, from nature’s strength to that wholesome weakness in which alone is strength. But for this, natural strength must be crippled, which is provided for in two ways: in allowing us to realize the power of another nature (Esau) and in the direct dealing of God with our... read more