Genesis 39:9

Translations

Modern

No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Traditional

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?

Literal

There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has not withheld from me anything except you, because you are his wife. And how can I do this great evil and sin against God?”

Latin

…nec quidquam est quod non in mea sit potestate, vel non tradiderit mihi, præter te, quæ uxor ejus es: quomodo ergo possum hoc malum facere, et peccare in Deum meum?

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Notes

Genesis 39:6–10

A major theme in wisdom literature (wise teaching about how to live well; see study note on 37:2–50:26) is a warning to young people: sexual sin and other wrong behavior will lead to harm and ruin (compare Proverbs 5–7). Joseph resisted temptation because he had godly wisdom. He was guided by the fear of the Lord (a deep respect and reverence for God that leads to obedience; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).

Genesis 39:1–23

Joseph was honest and faithful in his work for Potiphar. This is very different from Judah, who failed morally (chapter 38). God was with Joseph (39:2–3, 21, 23). He helped Joseph succeed and become a blessing to others (see study notes on 12:1–9; 28:16–22), even while Joseph was a slave and later in prison.

Genesis 39:1–47:31

Joseph began as a slave, alienated from his brothers and separated from his father; he ended as Pharaoh’s viceroy. Through the trips to Egypt, the covenant family went from the brink of apostasy, divided by jealousy and deception, to being reconciled and united by Judah’s intercession and Joseph’s forgiveness.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Joseph Biblical Marriage Human Sexuality Suffering in Following God Symbolic Numbers The Righteous Suffer

Related verses

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.
Genesis 20:6
Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.
Genesis 42:18
…and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live:
Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Luke 12:48
But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
1 John 3:9
Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Galatians 5:19–21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Job 31:9–12
If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door,
Jeremiah 50:7
All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’
Jeremiah 28:16
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’”
2 Samuel 11:27
And when the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Genesis, Book of Jacob Joseph Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Adultery: Potiphar's Wife Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife Chastity: Joseph Conscience: Faithful of Joseph, when Potiphar's Wife Tried to Seduce Him Continence: Joseph Decision: Joseph Egypt: Israel in Joseph Unjustly Cast Into Prison False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Joseph by Potiphar's Wife Godly Fear: Joseph Integrity: Joseph, in Resisting Potiphar's Wife Joseph: Son of Jacob: Joseph's Integrity Master: Unjust Master: Potiphar's Wife to Joseph Servant: Good: Joseph Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People Temptation: Resistance To Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph

Genesis 39:9

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