Genesis 39:7 kjv

And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Genesis 39:7 nkjv

And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me."

Genesis 39:7 niv

and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!"

Genesis 39:7 esv

And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me."

Genesis 39:7 nlt

and Potiphar's wife soon began to look at him lustfully. "Come and sleep with me," she demanded.

Genesis 39 verses

Genesis 39 7 Meaning

Genesis 39:7 describes the initial, direct, and explicit proposition made by Potiphar's wife to Joseph for him to engage in sexual relations with her. Following a period where Joseph experienced divine favor and success as the overseer of Potiphar's household, this verse introduces a significant and intense test of his moral character, purity, and faithfulness to both God and his human master. It reveals the seductive nature of illicit desire and sets the stage for Joseph's exemplary response to temptation.

Genesis 39 7 Context

Genesis chapter 39 follows Joseph's unjust betrayal by his brothers, who sold him into slavery in Egypt. Despite this severe hardship, the narrative consistently emphasizes that "the Lord was with Joseph." Because of God's favor, Joseph prospered even as a slave in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Potiphar, observing Joseph's integrity and God-given success, elevated him to overseer of his entire household, entrusting everything he owned to Joseph. Joseph managed it all faithfully, and the Lord blessed Potiphar's house for Joseph's sake. The immediate preceding verse (Gen 39:6) notes Joseph's physical handsomeness and that Potiphar had no concern for anything except the food he ate, fully delegating management to Joseph. This backdrop of trust, success, and divine blessing sets up the profound nature of the temptation that immediately arises, as if to test the genuineness of Joseph's favored status and integrity.

Genesis 39 7 Word analysis

• "And it came to pass after these things": (וַיְהִי אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, vayhi achar hadevarim ha'eleh). This is a common Hebrew transitional phrase, often marking a significant development or shift in the narrative. It indicates a temporal sequence from Joseph's success and trust in Potiphar's house, showing that prosperity or divine favor does not exempt one from trials, but can sometimes introduce new ones.
• "that his master's wife": (אֵשֶׁת אֲדֹנָיו, 'eshet adonayw). She is identified by her relationship to Potiphar and to Joseph, not by her name. This highlights her status and the implicit power dynamics; as the wife of the household head, she holds a position of authority over Joseph. Her actions are an abuse of this position and the trust placed in Joseph.
• "cast her eyes": (וַתִּשָּׂא עֵינֶיהָ, vattissa 'eyneha). Literally, "she lifted her eyes." This idiom signifies a deliberate, purposeful gaze, indicating lustful desire rather than a casual look. It shows premeditation and intent, often associated with coveting or admiration that becomes desire, initiating the progression of sin (cf. Jas 1:14-15).
• "on Joseph": (אֶל-יוֹסֵף, 'el Yosef). Directing her lust towards him. His youth and striking physical appearance (mentioned in Gen 39:6) were a factor in her attraction and decision to pursue him.
• "and she said": (וַתֹּאמֶר, vatto'mer). This marks the shift from internal desire (implied by "cast her eyes") to an overt, verbal action. Her thoughts and intentions are now translated into a direct proposition.
• "'Lie with me.'": (שִׁכְבָה עִמִּי, shikhvah 'immi). A blunt and explicit imperative command, indicating a direct request for sexual intercourse. The directness reveals her brazenness and her assumption that Joseph, as a slave, would comply or was obligated to do so. This presents an unambiguous test of Joseph's integrity and moral boundaries.

Words-group analysis:

• "And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife": This phrasing strongly connects Joseph's elevation and prosperity with the immediate emergence of this severe test. It suggests that spiritual trials often follow periods of favor, or that a higher position brings different temptations.
• "cast her eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me'": This sequence of events—internal desire ("cast her eyes"), then direct communication ("said"), followed by explicit action/invitation ("Lie with me")—illustrates the classic pathway from temptation to potential sin, emphasizing the deliberate nature of her advances.

Genesis 39 7 Bonus section

• Potiphar's wife remains unnamed throughout the narrative. This serves to universalize her role as "the temptress" or "the adulteress," focusing on the nature of the temptation rather than her specific identity.
• The incident foreshadows how the path of righteousness often leads through significant suffering, which God can then ultimately use for good, as seen in Joseph's later imprisonment and eventual rise to power.
• In ancient Egyptian households, the mistress had significant authority over household staff. This made her proposition difficult for Joseph to refuse directly without consequences, intensifying the pressure on him.
• The Hebrew narrative contrasts sharply with popular ancient Egyptian wisdom texts or love poetry that sometimes depict explicit sexual advances without moral condemnation, subtly reinforcing a distinct Israelite ethic of sexual purity rooted in a monotheistic worldview.
• Joseph's experience here, resisting temptation due to a deep understanding of God's character, is a pre-Law testament to ethical monotheism, where moral purity stems from a relationship with God rather than codified legal statutes alone.

Genesis 39 7 Commentary

Genesis 39:7 encapsulates the pivotal moment where Joseph, having demonstrated exceptional faithfulness and found divine favor, faces a potent temptation that could derail his entire future. The verse directly introduces the lustful intent of Potiphar's wife, escalating from mere desire to an outright, brazen proposition for sexual sin. This is a crucial test, not merely of Joseph's self-control, but of his underlying covenant fidelity to God. For Joseph, a Hebrew, to engage in adultery with his master's wife would not only violate Mosaic laws (though not yet given, the moral principles were inherent in God's character) but also profoundly betray the trust of his master, Potiphar, who had elevated him to a position of immense responsibility. This encounter demonstrates that divine blessing and human integrity, while leading to worldly success, also attract spiritual opposition. Joseph's response in the subsequent verses reveals his deeply rooted fear of God and his clear understanding of sin as an offense against both God and man, setting him apart as a steadfast man of God amidst a culture prone to immorality.