Genesis 39:9 kjv

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 God?

Genesis 39:9 nkjv

There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

Genesis 39:9 niv

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

Genesis 39:9 esv

He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"

Genesis 39:9 nlt

No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God."

Genesis 39 verses

Genesis 39 9 Meaning

Joseph unequivocally rejects the sexual advances of Potiphar's wife by appealing to three core principles: his entrusted authority within the household, the sanctity of the marital covenant, and most importantly, his ultimate accountability to God. He acknowledges the significant trust placed in him by his master, emphasizing that the wife is the sole exception to his power. Consequently, engaging in such an act would constitute both a profound breach of human trust ("great wickedness") and a direct transgression against God ("sin against God"), whose omnipresence and moral law transcend human observation or consequence.

Genesis 39 9 Context

Genesis 39 details Joseph's experiences in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers. God's favor is evident as Joseph rises to become overseer of Potiphar's house, a trusted position of authority second only to Potiphar himself. Potiphar's wife repeatedly tempts Joseph, "day after day," to lie with her. Joseph's refusal in verse 9 is a climax to this persistent temptation. It highlights his steadfast character and deep spiritual convictions, setting him apart in a culture often characterized by polytheistic and pragmatic morality. His resistance stands in stark contrast to other moral failings within the patriarchal narratives (e.g., Reuben and Bilhah, Judah and Tamar), showcasing his personal integrity even when isolated in a foreign land. Historically and culturally, while adultery was often a serious offense with penalties, Joseph's emphasis on sin "against God" reflects a profound covenantal ethic distinct from the Egyptian religious landscape which focused on divine appeasement or cosmic order rather than a personal, moral relationship with a singular transcendent deity.

Genesis 39 9 Word analysis

• "There is none greater in this house than I":

  • Original: Ein gadol mimmenni babayit hazzeh (אֵין־גָּד֤וֹל מִמֶּ֨נִּי֙ בַּבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה)
  • none greater: Implies maximum authority and trust. Joseph has been entrusted with nearly everything by Potiphar, except for one crucial boundary. This elevated status underscores the severity of the temptation and the strength of his refusal. It highlights his managerial competence and Potiphar's confidence in him.
  • in this house: Specifies the domain of Joseph's responsibility and authority, emphasizing that he could have carried out the act without immediate human discovery or reprisal from Potiphar, making his moral choice even more significant.

• "nor has he kept back anything from me but you":

  • Original: Welo-chasakh mimmenni me'umah ki 'im 'otakh (וְלֹא־חָשַׂ֣ךְ מִמֶּ֔נִּי מְאוּמָ֖ה כִּ֥י אִם־אוֹתָֽךְ)
  • kept back (חָשַׂךְ - chasakh): To restrain, withhold, spare. It indicates a conscious decision by Potiphar to grant Joseph comprehensive control.
  • anything from me but you: This clearly delineates the single, crucial boundary Potiphar established. It is a boundary of ultimate trust and fidelity within his own marriage, which Joseph fully respects. It implies a "covenant" of trust between master and steward.

• "because you are his wife":

  • Original: Ki 'attah 'ishtoh (כִּ֖י אַתָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּוֹ֙)
  • wife (ishtoh): This identifies the sacred covenant of marriage as the fundamental reason for the boundary. Adultery, in biblical law, is not just a sexual act but a violation of a covenant, a betrayal of trust, and an affront to the integrity of the family unit. Joseph recognizes the sanctity and exclusivity of this relationship.

• "How then can I do this great wickedness":

  • Original: We'ech 'e'aseh hara'ah haggedolah hazzot (וְאֵיךְ אֶעֱשֶׂה הָרָעָה הַגְּדֹלָה הַזֹּאת)
  • How then: A rhetorical question expressing extreme moral impossibility and revulsion. It conveys Joseph's unshakeable conviction against the act.
  • great wickedness (הָרָעָה הַגְּדֹלָה - hara'ah haggedolah): This strong descriptor indicates Joseph's perception of the act as fundamentally evil, a grave offense not only against human trust and moral order but reflecting a corruption of the inner being. It's a comprehensive moral assessment of the proposed action.

• "and sin against God?":

  • Original: Wechata'ti le'Elohim (וְחָטָ֥אתִי לֵאלֹהִֽים)
  • sin (חָטָא - chata): To miss the mark, to fall short of a standard, to act contrary to what is right or commanded. It implies guilt and accountability.
  • against God (לֵאלֹהִֽים - le'Elohim): This is the culminating and most profound reason for Joseph's refusal. It elevates the transgression from a purely human-relational offense (against Potiphar or the woman herself) to a direct affront against the divine. Even if hidden from human eyes, it would be known and judged by God. This reveals Joseph's God-consciousness, his deep "fear of the LORD," and his conviction that all moral standards ultimately derive from the Creator. It highlights his spiritual depth, as his integrity is not dependent on human observation or potential punishment.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "There is none greater... but you, because you are his wife": This phrase establishes Joseph's ethical framework by acknowledging the clear boundaries set by his master. It presents his faithfulness to human trust and social contracts, emphasizing the sanctity of the marital bond as a non-negotiable limit within his extensive authority.
  • "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?": This combines the moral impossibility from a human perspective ("great wickedness") with the ultimate spiritual offense ("sin against God"). It powerfully links human transgression with divine accountability, revealing that Joseph's primary motivation for integrity stems from his deep reverence for God, a reverence that transcends all immediate earthly consequences.

Genesis 39 9 Bonus section

• Fear of the Lord: Joseph's declaration encapsulates the "fear of the Lord" which is often presented in Scripture as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Prov 1:7; Prov 9:10). This fear is not terror, but profound reverence and awe, leading to obedience and moral uprightness.
• Contrasting with Abraham/Isaac: While great men of faith, earlier patriarchal figures (like Abraham and Isaac regarding their wives as sisters for self-preservation) did not always exhibit such comprehensive moral purity in private dealings. Joseph's stand highlights a maturation of this spiritual principle.
• God's Presence in Trial: Joseph, though sold into slavery and far from his family and land of promise, clearly maintains a living relationship with Yahweh. This demonstrates that one's relationship with God is not bound by physical location or comfortable circumstances, but by an internal, consistent faith.
• Proto-Evangelical Understanding of Sin: Long before the formal Mosaic Law was given, Joseph possessed an intuitive or revealed understanding that moral transgression was not just social disruption, but a personal affront to a righteous God. This prefigures the New Testament understanding of sin as rebellion against a holy God and highlights a universal moral awareness implanted by the Creator.

Genesis 39 9 Commentary

Genesis 39:9 stands as a pivotal statement of profound moral and spiritual integrity within the biblical narrative. Joseph's steadfast refusal of Potiphar's wife is not driven by fear of human discovery, given his high position and the likelihood of the deed remaining hidden, nor simply by avoiding human punishment, but primarily by a deep-seated reverence for God. He frames the temptation not merely as an act of infidelity or disobedience to his master, but fundamentally as a "sin against God." This profound God-consciousness is the bedrock of his character, distinguishing him from those who live according to human discretion or self-interest.

Joseph's reasoning reveals several crucial theological truths:

1. Sin is ultimately against God: All wrongdoing, even if seemingly directed at another human, is ultimately a defiance of God's character and commands. Joseph's perspective aligns with David's confession in Psalm 51:4 ("Against You, You only, have I sinned").
2. Omnipresence and Omniscience of God: Joseph acts as though God is ever-present and always watching (Prov 15:3). His moral compass is guided by God's inescapable gaze, not human accountability.
3. Sanctity of Marriage: The institution of marriage is viewed as sacred and inviolable, established and protected by God.
4. Integrity and Trust: Joseph prioritizes his integrity and the trust placed in him, demonstrating that true faithfulness encompasses both horizontal (human relationships) and vertical (relationship with God) dimensions. His resistance to temptation, despite immense pressure and potential personal gain (or avoidance of disfavor from Potiphar's wife), marks him as a truly righteous man, a prefigurement of Christ's perfect obedience.

This verse serves as a powerful testament to living a life consecrated to God even in challenging circumstances. It underscores that true holiness comes from a heart devoted to God's standards above all others.

• Practical usage examples:
  • When tempted by dishonesty: Remember Joseph's principle: "How can I do this dishonesty and sin against God?" knowing God sees even hidden actions.
  • In marital fidelity: Joseph's words remind believers of the sanctity of marriage ("because you are his wife") and that adultery is a "great wickedness" primarily as a "sin against God."
  • For developing moral character: Cultivate a "God-consciousness" where every decision is weighed against its potential to honor or dishonor God, rather than merely human approval or avoidance of earthly consequence.