Genesis 39:10 - As she spoke to Joseph day by day, he didn’t listen to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Generated Verse: Genesis 39:10

What does "Genesis 39:10" mean?


Genesis 39:10 describes Joseph's consistent resistance to the persistent advances of Potiphar's wife. Let's break down each phrase:

"As she spoke to Joseph day by day...": This emphasizes the relentlessness of Potiphar's wife. She repeatedly and consistently propositioned him, likely trying to seduce him.

"...he didn't listen to her...": This means he refused to give her words any weight or consideration. He actively tuned out her advances and did not entertain her requests. It suggests he wasn't even engaging in a discussion or negotiation of any kind.

"...to lie by her...": This specifically refers to the act of having sexual relations with her. Joseph refused to have an affair or engage in any sexual activity with her.

"...or to be with her.": This is the broadest of the refusals. It means he avoided being alone with her, even in a non-sexual context, to prevent any compromising situations or further temptation. He wouldn't even spend time in her presence.

In Summary:

The verse highlights Joseph's strong moral character and his steadfast refusal to succumb to temptation. He consistently rejected Potiphar's wife's advances on multiple levels:

He ignored her words.
He refused to engage in sexual activity with her.
He avoided her presence altogether.

This shows his commitment to his values, his loyalty to Potiphar, and his fear of God.