Joseph and the Wife of Potiphar

Genesis 39

The wife of Potiphar was a woman of very poor moral character, yet her part in the story of Joseph, shows forth the power of a godly man to resist temptation, and ultimately find that the hand of God was there all along, working together all things for good.

Joseph was the much-loved son of Jacob.  But he was hated by his brother's because of a dream that Joseph had which involved them.  Eventually the brothers sold Joseph to merchantmen for 20 pieces of silver, and Joseph was brought to Egypt. (Genesis 37:27-28) After Joseph was taken to Egypt, he was bought by a man named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, "and the LORD was with Joseph...."(Gen 39:2)  And Joseph became overseer of the house of Potiphar, and over all that he had.  "And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had put into his hand." (Gen 39:3-4)

But it was in the ultimate plan of God that Joseph would rise to an even more important position, one that would ultimately reunite him with his brothers and his father, but first Joseph would face temptation, and his faithfulness would be sorely tested.  That temptation came in the form of Potiphar's wife.

As Potiphar was an important man, it is likely that his wife also enjoyed a position of importance, and was no doubt used to having her commands obeyed under threat of imprisonment or worse.  As did Eve before her, and King David after her, she was tempted with that which pleased the eye, in this case Joseph, who was "a goodly person and well favoured" (Gen 39:6)  It is at this point that Potiphar's wife desires to commit adultery with Joseph, "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said 'Lie with me' (Gen. 39:7)  We do not know if this was a regular habit with her, but this is given for our instruction as it is in James 1:13-15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every mam is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."   Surely this was a test allowed by God,  but a temptation of the devil.  Proverbs 6:29, 32 "So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.  ..But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." 

Joseph is quick to refuse her advances and give witness of his commitment to the LORD God. "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; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen 39:9)  Joseph is acknowledging that what Potiphar's wife is asking is "great wickedness" and not only that, but a sin against God.  Even though something might bring momentary pleasure to our earthly flesh, it is ultimately God whom we sin against. 

Potiphar's wife is persistent in her desire for Joseph, and day after day, she tried to persuade him with her request "And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her." (Gen 39:10) But this evil woman waited for a day when there was no man save Joseph in the house, and she came and grasped him by his clothing "And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.  And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." (Gen 39:11,12)

And now Potiphar's wife has her revenge on Joseph for his refusal to give in to her adulterous requests, she tells the men of the house that it was Joseph that came to her, and tried to force himself upon her, and that she cried out for help, and he ran away leaving his garment behind.  Potiphar's wife kept Joseph's garment by her, until her husband, Joseph's master,  came home. (Gen 13-16)

Oh the depths of depravity that a woman scorned will go to, especially one such as Potiphar's wife, who was of such immoral character.

When Potiphar came home, she blamed her husband by saying "the Hebrew servant, which thou has brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me". (Gen 39:17)  I am reminded of Adam, after  giving in to Eve and partaking of the forbidden fruit, blamed God by saying "the woman, whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." (Gen 3:12) When they are guilty, they blame others to try and take the guilt off of themselves. And Potiphar's wife continues on "And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out." (Gen 39:18) How else could Potiphar's wife explain having Joseph's clothing in her possession? James 3:6,8 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell...But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

And so Potiphar believes his wife, and he was very angry with Joseph, "And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. (Gen 39:20)  Gen 40 reveals how it was in the plan of God that Joseph be put where the king's prisoners were kept..  But "the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison..." (Gen 39:21) Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." and ultimately Joseph was delivered from prison to a position of high importance in the house of Pharoah.

And what of Potiphar's wife?  We hear no more of her, but no doubt she went on with her immoral behaviour.  Perhaps one day her husband found out the truth of her character, perhaps not. But unless she finally repented of her sins and trusted in the LORD God, she pays the ultimate penalty of her sinful life,  separation from God, in the place of torment.

vcg/February 2016