Amplified Bible
Genesis 39:9
9He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God [and your husband]?”
Genesis 39:9 in other versions
- King James Version (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?
- New International Version (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?”
- English Standard Version (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?"
- New King James Version (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?”
Context of Genesis 39:9
7Then after a time his master’s wife looked at Joseph with desire, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me in the house, my master does not concern himself with anything; he has put everything that he owns in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God [and your husband]?” 10And so it was that she spoke to Joseph [persistently] day after day, but he did not listen to her [plea] to lie beside her or be with her. 11Then it happened one day that Joseph went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the men of the household was there in the house.
Read all of Genesis 39Genesis 39:9 word by word
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ גָד֜וֹל בַּבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּה֮ מִמֶּנִּי֒ וְלֹֽא־חָשַׂ֤ךְ מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙ מְא֔וּמָה כִּ֥י אִם־אוֹתָ֖ךְ בַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתְּ־אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְאֵ֨יךְ אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֜ה הָרָעָ֤ה הַגְּדֹלָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את וְחָטָ֖אתִי לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- none greaterגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- in this houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: householdH1004
- than I; neitherלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
- hath he kept backחָשַׂךְchâώak · to withholdH2820
- any thingמְא֫וּמָהme'ûmâh · anythingH3972
- from me but thee, becauseבַאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · in whichH834
- thouאַתְּ'attâh 'attâ 'ath 'attîy 'attem 'atten 'attênâh 'attênnâh · you(f.s.)H859
- his wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
- how then can I doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- wickednessרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
- and sinחָטָאchâţâ' · to sinH2398
- against Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
Cross-references for Genesis 39:9
- Genesis 24:2Abraham said to his servant [Eliezer of Damascus], the oldest of his household, who had charge over all that Abraham owned, “Please, put your hand under my thigh [as is customary for affirming a solemn oath],
- Nehemiah 6:11But I said, “Should a man like me flee [in fear and hide]? Should someone like me enter the temple [for sanctuary] to save his life? I will not go.”
- Luke 12:48but the one who did not know it and did things worthy of a beating, will receive only a few [lashes]. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2In this case, moreover, it is required [as essential and demanded] of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy.
- Genesis 20:3But God came to Abimelech in a dream during the night, and said, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken [as your wife], for she is another man’s wife.”
- Leviticus 20:10‘The man who commits adultery with another’s wife, even his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall most certainly be put to death.
- 2 Samuel 11:27And when the time of mourning was past, David sent word and had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done [with Bathsheba] was evil in the sight of the Lord.
- Job 31:9“If my heart has been enticed and I was made a fool by a woman, Or if I have [covetously] lurked at my neighbor’s door [until his departure],
- Proverbs 6:29So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not be found innocent or go unpunished.
- Jeremiah 5:8They were like well-fed, lusty stallions, Each one neighing after his neighbor’s wife.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor (perversely) effeminate, nor homosexuals,
- Galatians 5:19Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),
- Hebrews 13:4Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
- Revelation 21:8But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
- Revelation 22:15Outside are the dogs [the godless, the impure, those of low moral character] and the sorcerers [with their intoxicating drugs, and magic arts], and the immoral persons [the perverted, the molesters, and the adulterers], and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (deception, cheating).
- Genesis 42:18Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and [you may] live, for I fear God:
Commentaries on Genesis 39:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9How then - ואיך veeik, and how? Joseph gives two most powerful reasons for his noncompliance with the wishes of his mistress: Gratitude to his master, to whom he owed all that he had. His fear of God, in whose sight it would be a heinous offense, and who would not fail to punish him for it. With the kindness of his master and the displeasure of God before his eyes, how could he be capable of committing an act of transgression, which would at once have…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-23Verses 1-23 - Joseph in Potiphar‘s House According to our reckoning, Perez and Zerah were born when Judah was in his twenty-eighth year, and therefore, Joseph in his twenty-fourth. Here, then, we go back seven years to resume the story of Joseph. Genesis 39:1-6 Joseph fares well with his first master. “Potiphar.” This is a racapitulation of the narrative in Genesis 12:3. “Beautiful in form and look” Genesis 29:17. This prepares the way for the following…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-12Verses 7-12 Beauty either in men or women, often proves a snare both to themselves and others. This forbids pride in it, and requires constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it. We have great need to make a covenant with our eyes, lest the eyes infect the heart. When lust has got power, decency, and reputation, and conscience, are all sacrificed. Potiphar's wife showed that her heart was fully set to do evil. Satan, when he found he…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-10A 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).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. 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 the comment
Topics related to Genesis 39:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 39
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Amplified Bible — © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
Commentaries