Genesis 39:7-9

39:7 Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of ¹  Joseph and said, “Have sex with me.” ²  39:8 But he refused, saying ³  to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought ⁴  to his household with me here, ⁵  and everything that he owns he has put into my care. ⁶  39:9 There 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 ⁷  such a great evil and sin against God?”

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¹ tn Heb “she lifted up her eyes toward,” an expression that emphasizes her deliberate and careful scrutiny of him.

² tn Heb “lie with me.” Here the expression “lie with” is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

sn The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife has long been connected with the wisdom warnings about the strange woman who tries to seduce the young man with her boldness and directness (see Prov 5-7, especially 7:6-27). This is part of the literary background of the story of Joseph that gives it a wisdom flavor. See G. von Rad, God at Work in Israel, 19-35; and G. W. Coats, “The Joseph Story and Ancient Wisdom: A Reappraisal,” CBQ 35 (1973): 285-97.

³ tn Heb “and he said.”

⁴ tn Heb “know.”

⁵ tn The word “here” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁶ tn Heb “hand.” This is a metonymy for being under the control or care of Joseph.

⁷ tn The nuance of potential imperfect fits this context.