Genesis 39:10 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 39:10 kjv
And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
Genesis 39:10 nkjv
So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.
Genesis 39:10 niv
And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
Genesis 39:10 esv
And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.
Genesis 39:10 nlt
She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.
Genesis 39 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 39:9 | "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" | Joseph's motivation: sin against God. |
| Prov 6:27-29 | "Can a man carry fire in his lap... without his clothes..." | Consequences of illicit passion. |
| Prov 7:6-27 | Extensive warning about the seductive woman's cunning. | Fleeing temptation from a seducer. |
| 1 Cor 6:18 | "Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits..." | Direct command to flee impurity. |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you... God is faithful... make a way." | God's provision for escape from temptation. |
| 2 Tim 2:22 | "So flee youthful passions..." | Instruction to flee lusts. |
| Eph 5:3 | "But sexual immorality... must not even be named among you..." | Exhortation to holiness and purity. |
| Heb 13:4 | "Marriage must be held in honor by all... sexually immoral God will judge." | Divine judgment for impurity. |
| Jas 1:12 | "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial..." | Blessing for perseverance in trials. |
| Rom 5:3-5 | "...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character..." | Character development through endurance. |
| Heb 12:1-2 | "run with endurance the race that is set before us..." | Call to endurance in faith. |
| Dan 1:8 | "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself..." | Similar resolve for purity. |
| Job 2:3 | "He still holds fast to his integrity..." | Maintaining integrity in adversity. |
| Ps 24:3-4 | "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? ...He who has clean hands..." | Purity required for God's presence. |
| Matt 5:8 | "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." | Blessing of a pure heart. |
| Phil 4:8 | "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right..." | Mind focused on virtuous thoughts. |
| Ps 51:4 | "Against You, You only, have I sinned..." | Confession of sin's ultimate target. |
| Rom 6:1-2 | "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!" | Rejecting persistent sin. |
| Neh 6:1-4 | Nehemiah resists Sanballat's persistent attempts. | Persistence in the face of relentless pressure. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that in all things God works for the good..." | God's ultimate purpose in trials. |
| Gal 5:16 | "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify..." | Empowered resistance to fleshly desires. |
| 1 Thess 4:3-5 | "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you..." | God's will for sexual purity. |
Genesis 39 verses
Genesis 39 10 meaning
Genesis 39:10 describes Joseph's unwavering refusal to yield to Potiphar's wife's persistent, daily attempts to seduce him. He consistently rejected her advances, both for sexual intimacy and for any compromising association, demonstrating steadfast integrity and purity despite ongoing pressure.
Genesis 39 10 Context
Genesis 39 initiates the account of Joseph's time in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers. Elevated to steward of Potiphar's house due to his capable and God-blessed management, Joseph garners the envy of Potiphar's wife. She sees him as desirable due to his physical attractiveness. The narrative quickly establishes her consistent, almost obsessive, attempts to tempt Joseph into sexual sin. Verse 10 highlights Joseph's resolute and continuous resistance against her persistent advances, forming the climax of this temptation narrative leading directly to the pivotal events of his false accusation and imprisonment in the following verses. This moment profoundly tests Joseph's character and his commitment to God.
Genesis 39 10 Word analysis
- And it came to pass: (וַיְהִי, vayhi) A common biblical Hebrew narrative marker, indicating a sequential event or a transition in the story. It signals the beginning of an ongoing situation.
- as she spoke: (וַתְּדַבֵּר, vat’dabber) Derived from דָּבַר (dabar), to speak. The Piel stem here emphasizes repetitive or intensive action. It implies she repeatedly spoke or persistently pleaded her case for intimacy. This wasn't a one-time suggestion but a sustained campaign of verbal seduction.
- to Joseph: Joseph, at this point, is a young, enslaved Hebrew man in a powerful Egyptian household, far from the moral accountability of his family. His faith and integrity are truly being tested in isolation.
- day by day: (יוֹם יוֹם, yom yom) This repetition of "day" stresses the ceaseless, unwavering, and prolonged nature of the temptation. It signifies the consistent pressure Joseph was under, making his continued refusal all the more remarkable. This highlights a daily spiritual battle, not an isolated incident.
- that he hearkened not: (וְלֹא שָׁמַע, v’lo shama) The verb שָׁמַע (shama) means to hear, to listen, and critically, to obey. The negation (לֹא, lo) indicates a resolute refusal to comply. Joseph actively and deliberately chose not to listen or assent to her demands. It denotes conscious, unwavering rejection.
- unto her: He directly resisted her person, implying he didn't just ignore the proposition but consciously opposed her advances.
- to lie by her: (לִשְׁכַּב אֶצְלָהּ, lishkav etzlah) This is a clear and direct euphemism for sexual intercourse. The infinitive form "to lie down" indicates the desired action. Joseph resisted the consummation of her illicit desire.
- or to be with her: (לִהְיוֹת עִמָּהּ, lihyot immah) The verb הָיָה (hayah), to be, means "to become" or "to exist." "To be with her" is broader than just sexual relations. It suggests Joseph's refusal to be in compromising situations with her, such as private meetings or secluded company, that could lead to temptation or even create an appearance of impropriety. This implies not only refusal of the ultimate act but also the necessary steps or associations that lead to it. Joseph avoided not just the sin, but the opportunity for sin.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "as she spoke to Joseph day by day": This phrase emphasizes the relentless and persistent nature of the temptation Joseph faced. It was not a singular moment of weakness but an ongoing assault on his integrity, testing his resolve over an extended period. This underscores the need for continuous vigilance in spiritual warfare.
- "that he hearkened not unto her": This signifies Joseph's consistent and unwavering internal resistance. It was an active, moral choice rooted in obedience to God (as elaborated in Gen 39:9). This phrase illustrates a proactive stance against temptation, not merely passive avoidance.
- "to lie by her, or to be with her": This pairing indicates the full scope of Joseph's refusal. He not only rejected the explicit act of adultery but also any compromising physical presence or social intimacy that could lead to sin or create scandal. It reveals a comprehensive commitment to purity and discretion, avoiding not just the sin but also its predisposing circumstances.
Genesis 39 10 Bonus section
The relentless nature of Potiphar's wife's advances ("day by day") is significant, illustrating that temptation can often escalate and endure, demanding not just a one-time decision but an ongoing, moment-by-moment commitment to righteousness. Joseph's ability to resist despite being in a vulnerable position (a slave, isolated from his community, and dependent on his master) highlights a divine enabling grace. His commitment to God outweighed his personal discomfort or potential gain (or loss) in this Egyptian household. The narrative serves as an early biblical example of "fleeing sexual immorality," a principle later codified in Pauline epistles. This steadfastness also indirectly showcases God's protective hand, allowing Joseph's integrity to be proven through the trial, setting the stage for His greater redemptive purposes for Joseph and his family.
Genesis 39 10 Commentary
Genesis 39:10 captures the essence of Joseph's unwavering fidelity in the face of severe, sustained temptation. Potiphar's wife pursued him relentlessly, but Joseph consistently demonstrated remarkable self-control and moral resolve. His strength did not come from a belief in his own invulnerability but from a deep reverence for God, recognizing sin as ultimately an offense against the Creator, as revealed in the preceding verse. His refusal extended beyond simply avoiding the sinful act; it encompassed avoiding any circumstance or company that might lead to sin or cast suspicion on his character. This verse portrays a crucial aspect of godly living: persistent resistance to sin, a deliberate decision to "hearken not" to the voice of temptation. Joseph's stand serves as an enduring model for believers to flee impurity and uphold divine standards, understanding that genuine righteousness requires daily commitment and constant vigilance. It illustrates that spiritual purity is not achieved by avoiding temptation but by consistently choosing the right path, often at personal cost, knowing that God oversees the trial.