Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. She grabbed hold of his coat, but he managed to get away from her. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error." Therefore, we should consider all hardship as under the sovereign hand of Godused to train us. All rights reserved. What Can Christians Learn From John Donne? Verse 10 in the NIV says, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Whenever Joseph saw Mrs. Potiphar, he simply went the other direction. Im a great-looking older woman! Either Potiphar was singularly lenient, or, as is perhaps more probable, he did not quite believe his wife's story, and thought it best to hush up a scandal. The writer of Hebrews warns against scorning or becoming upset at Gods discipline. He does not have any thoughts of committing adultery with her. This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Judaism is a stub. [3] It could be argued that the woman is trying to assert herself as a person who makes her own choices instead of remaining an object owned by her husband, and invites Joseph to join her in this action which the narrative frames as a 'sin'. This description suggests that Potiphar held a high-ranking position within the Egyptian court, as he was responsible for the safety of Pharaoh and his household. JOSEPH and POTIPHAR'S WIFE: Joseph says NO to Adultery - Women In The Bible Actually, yes. Even though Joseph had to suffer a cost for being holybeing put in prisonGod was with him in the prison and blessed him. Finally, in Genesis 40:4, Potiphar entrusted Pharaohs prisoners to Josephs care. The judgment of Potiphar's wife was a story not found in the Bible, of course, and some contradictory traditions arose around it among ancient Christian commentators. Potiphars wife is one of 42 nameless women in the Bible, according to Lindsay Hardin Freeman in her book Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter. Men and women can overcome the temptation to be unfaithful to their partner and God. He or she hurts the workplace instead of making it more productive.) After being wrongly imprisoned, it is very possible that he was tempted towards hopelessness and despair. Say: Mrs. Potiphar would not give up. Say: When we left our story, Joseph was in a heap of trouble. Joseph, Potiphar's Wife, and the Dangers of Sexual Sin Scholar's Corner: The fate of Potiphar's wife - Deseret News Potiphar is the only Egyptian of status who would harbor a grudge against Joseph, given their prior history. God blesses all of Josephs situationsfrom an empty well in Canaan to Potiphars lavish home with his bored, lustful wife to a dark prison cell. He was faithful with littlePotiphars housetherefore, it was easier to stand when tempted by his wife. Does that suggest anything about what was going through Potiphar's mind as he threw Joseph in "the prison where the king's prisoners were confined" (v.20)? I dont see a happy, older woman. Grabbing hold of his garment, she made her plea one last time: "Lie down with me!" Joseph acted . The Bible (Genesis 39:5-20) narrates her treatment of Joseph, slave to her husband Potiphar: And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and, having him, he knew not aught save the bread which he did eat. In a story found in the Quran and Ginzbergs book, Zuleika invites her aristocratic friends over to the palace to see her handsome Hebrew slave. The fact that he cast Joseph into a prison that he operated from home (40:3-4) indicates that he really didn't believe her tale. Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission.