Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

After being brought to Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. The text states that the Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man in the house of his Egyptian master (Genesis 39:2). Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph and that the Lord made all he did to prosper. Consequently, Joseph found favor in his sight and served him. Potiphar made Joseph overseer over his house and put all that he had into Joseph's hand (Genesis 39:4). From the time he was made overseer, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake, and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field.

Joseph was well-built and handsome. After a time, his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and told him to lie with her. Joseph refused, stating to his master's wife that his master had committed everything to his hand and had kept nothing back from him except her, because she was his wife. He asked how he could do this great wickedness and sin against God (Genesis 39:9). Although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie by her or to be with her. One day, when Joseph went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house were inside, she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me.' He left his garment in her hand and fled outside.

When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled, she called to the men of her household. She told them that the Hebrew brought to them had come in to mock them. She claimed he came in to lie with her and she cried out with a loud voice. She kept his garment by her until his master came home, then told him the same story. When his master heard the words which his wife spoke, his anger was kindled (Genesis 39:19). The text does not say if Potiphar believed her or if he questioned Joseph. Potiphar took Joseph and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound.