New English Translation
Genesis 39:8
8But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care.
Genesis 39:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
- New International Version (NIV)But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.
Context of Genesis 39:8
6So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well built and good-looking. 7Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Have sex with me.” But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care. 9There is no one greater in this household 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?” 10Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to have sex with her.
Read all of Genesis 39Genesis 39:8 word by word
וַיְמָאֵ֓ן׀ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אֵ֣שֶׁת אֲדֹנָ֔יו הֵ֣ן אֲדֹנִ֔י לֹא־יָדַ֥ע אִתִּ֖י מַה־בַּבָּ֑יִת וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יֶשׁ־ל֖וֹ נָתַ֥ן בְּיָדִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- But he refusedמָאֵןmâ'ên · to refuseH3985
- and saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto his master’sאָדוֹן'âdôn 'âdôn · lordH113
- wifeאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
- wottethיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- with me in the houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: householdH1004
- and he hath committedנָתַןnâthan · to give: putH5414
- all that he hathיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
- to my handיָדyâd · hand: powerH3027
Cross-references for Genesis 39:8
- Proverbs 1:10My child, if sinners try to entice you, do not consent!
- Proverbs 2:10For wisdom will enter your heart, and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.
- Proverbs 5:3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil,
- Proverbs 6:20My child, guard the commands of your father and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.
- Proverbs 7:5so that they may keep you from the adulterous woman, from the loose woman who flatters you with her words.
- Proverbs 9:13The woman called Folly is brash, she is naive and does not know anything.
- Proverbs 22:14The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
- Proverbs 23:26Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes observe my ways;
- Proverbs 18:24A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Commentaries on Genesis 39:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8My master wotteth not - Knoweth not, from the old Anglo-Saxon, witan, to know; hence, wit, intellect, understanding, wisdom, prudence.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. 1-231. Potiphar--This name, Potiphar, signifies one "devoted to the sun," the local deity of On or Heliopolis, a circumstance which fixes the place of his residence in the Delta, the district of Egypt bordering on Canaan. officer--literally, "prince of the Pharoah"--that is, in the service of government. captain of the guard--The import of the original term has been variously interpreted, some considering it means "chief cook," others, "chief inspector of…Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 39:8
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
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