Genesis 39:8

But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Joseph speaks to his master’s wife immediately after she propositions him to sleep with him. He responds at the moment of temptation to establish his refusal and clarify his stewardship.

The words — וַ/יְמָאֵ֓ן (va/y.ma.'En) means "and he refused," recording his immediate rejection. אֲדֹנִ֔/י ('a.do.N/i) translates to "my lord," acknowledging his master’s authority while distinguishing his own position.

The thread — The refusal parallels Proverbs 1:10, which warns against yielding to sinners who entice. It also reflects Proverbs 22:14’s description of an adulteress’s mouth as a pit and Proverbs 23:26’s command to guard one’s heart.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that entrusted responsibility demands loyalty that does not compromise moral boundaries. It demands a clear rejection of immediate gratification when it conflicts with divine accountability.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיְמָאֵ֓ן׀va/y.ma.'Enand/ he refused וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙va/i.Yo.merand/ he said אֶל־'el-to אֵ֣שֶׁת'E.shet[the] wife of אֲדֹנָ֔יו'a.do.Na/vmaster<s>/ his הֵ֣ןhenhere!אֲדֹנִ֔י'a.do.N/ilord/ my לֹא־lo'-not יָדַ֥עya.Da'he knows אִתִּ֖י'i.T/iwith/ me מַה־mah-what?בַּבָּ֑יִתba./Ba.yit[is] in the/ house וְכֹ֥לve./Kholand/ all אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-that יֶשׁ־yesh-thereל֖וֹl/o[belongs] to <the>/ himנָתַ֥ןna.Tanhe has given בְּיָדִֽי׃be./ya.D/iin/ hand/ my

King James Version

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;

Cross-references

Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.
Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
Proverbs 7:5 that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
Proverbs 9:13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
Proverbs 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul.
Proverbs 5:3 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,
Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 6:29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
Proverbs 6:32 He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.