Genesis 39:7
ESV
And after a time his master 's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me."
NIV
and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!"
NASB
And it came about after these events that his master’s wife had her eyes on Joseph, and she said, 'Sleep with me.'
CSB
After some time his master’s wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, "Sleep with me."
NLT
and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. 'Come and sleep with me,' she demanded.
KJV
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
NKJV
And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”
What does Genesis 39:7 mean?
The previous verse described Joseph's stunning good looks, using the same phrase ascribed to his mother, Rachel (Genesis 29:17). At this point, he is both attractive and highly successful (Genesis 39:3–6). His master, Potiphar, is the captain of the guard for the ruler of Egypt (Genesis 39:1). Joseph's attributes will now gain him more than respect and attention: they will inspire offers of temptation.Potiphar's wife eventually took notice of Joseph, and has offered herself to him, sexually. It's hard to overstate what a terrible position this put Joseph in. First, as a slave, Joseph would be expected to obey his master's wife in nearly all things. To refuse her instructions could get him in serious trouble. Of course, the command in question would be an outright betrayal of his master, and likely punishable by death. How would Joseph respond?
