Genesis 39:9
New International Version
No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

New Living Translation
No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

English Standard Version
He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Berean Standard Bible
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

New American Standard Bible
There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?”

NASB 1995
“There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?”

NASB 1977
“There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?”

Legacy Standard Bible
There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?”

Amplified Bible
He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God [and your husband]?”

Christian Standard Bible
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do this immense evil, and how could I sin against God? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

American Standard Version
he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Contemporary English Version
No one in my master's house is more important than I am. The only thing he hasn't given me is you, and that's because you are his wife. I won't sin against God by doing such a terrible thing as this."

English Revised Version
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one in this house is greater than I. He's kept nothing back from me except you, because you're his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

Good News Translation
I have as much authority in this house as he has, and he has not kept back anything from me except you. How then could I do such an immoral thing and sin against God?"

International Standard Version
No one has more authority in this house than I do. He has withheld nothing from me, except you, and that's because you're his wife. So how can I commit such a horrible evil? How can I sin against God?"

Majority Standard Bible
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God??

NET Bible
There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?"

New Heart English Bible
There is no one greater in this household than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, since you are his wife. How then can I do such a great evil, and sin against God?"

Webster's Bible Translation
There is none greater in his 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?

World English Bible
No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
none is greater in this house than I, and he has not withheld from me anything, except you, because you [are] his wife; and how will I do this great evil? Then I have sinned against God.”

Young's Literal Translation
none is greater in this house than I, and he hath not withheld from me anything, except thee, because thou art his wife; and how shall I do this great evil? -- then have I sinned against God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Nothing is great in this house above me: and he kept not back anything from me except thee, because thou his wife: and how shall I do this great evil and sin before God?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither is there any thing which is hot in my power, or that he hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife : how then can I do this wicked thing, and I sin against my God?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Neither is there anything which is not in my power, or that he has not delivered to me, except you, for you are his wife. How then can I do this evil act and sin against my God?”

New American Bible
He has no more authority in this house than I do. He has withheld from me nothing but you, since you are his wife. How, then, could I do this great wrong and sin against God?”

New Revised Standard Version
He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There is no one greater in this house than I; neither has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there is none greater in this house than I, and not he has spared me anything but you, for you are his wife, and how shall I do this great evil and sin against God?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
he is not 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?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and in this house there is nothing above me, nor has anything been kept back from me, but thou, because thou art his wife - how then shall I do this wicked thing, and sin against God?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
8But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. 9No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” 10Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.

Proverbs 6:32
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Romans 13:14
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Job 31:1
“I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?

Leviticus 18:20
You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her.

Deuteronomy 5:18
You shall not commit adultery.

Proverbs 7:6-27
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. / I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, / crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, ...

Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.


Treasury of Scripture

There is none greater in this house than I; neither has he kept back any thing from me but you, because you are his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

none.

Genesis 24:2
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Nehemiah 6:11
And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

how then.

Genesis 20:3,6
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife…

Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

2 Samuel 11:27
And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

sin.

Genesis 42:18
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

Leviticus 6:2
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;

Numbers 32:23
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

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Authority Evil Except Great Greater House Kept Master Sin Sinning Wickedness Wife Withheld Wrong
Genesis 39
1. Joseph is bought by Potiphar, and preferred in the family.
7. He resists temptation by Potiphar's Wife.
13. He is falsely accused by her.
20. He is cast into prison.
21. God is with him there, and he is advanced by the keeper of prison.














No one in this house is greater than I am
This phrase reflects Joseph's position of authority and trust within Potiphar's household. The Hebrew word for "greater" is "gadol," which implies not just size or stature, but also importance and responsibility. Joseph acknowledges the significant trust placed in him, highlighting his integrity and the respect he has earned. Historically, this underscores the social structure of ancient Egypt, where a trusted servant could rise to a position of considerable influence.

He has withheld nothing from me except you
The word "withheld" comes from the Hebrew "chasak," meaning to restrain or hold back. This indicates the complete trust Potiphar had in Joseph, entrusting him with everything except his wife. This phrase emphasizes the boundaries of trust and the sanctity of marriage, which Joseph respects deeply. It also reflects the moral and ethical standards that Joseph adheres to, despite being in a foreign land.

because you are his wife
The term "wife" in Hebrew is "ishshah," which signifies a woman in a covenant relationship with her husband. This highlights the sacredness of marriage as ordained by God. Joseph's recognition of Potiphar's wife as such shows his understanding of and respect for the divine institution of marriage, which is consistent with the conservative Christian view of marriage as a covenant before God.

So how could I do such a great evil
The phrase "great evil" uses the Hebrew "ra'ah," which denotes something morally wrong or wicked. Joseph's rhetorical question reveals his strong moral compass and his awareness of the gravity of the sin. This reflects the biblical principle that sin is not just a personal failing but an offense against God's established order.

and sin against God?
The word "sin" is derived from the Hebrew "chata," meaning to miss the mark or to transgress. Joseph's statement shows his understanding that sin is ultimately against God, not just against other people. This aligns with the conservative Christian belief that all sin is an affront to God's holiness. Joseph's fear of sinning against God demonstrates his deep faith and commitment to living a life that honors God, even in the face of temptation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

one in this
הַזֶּה֮ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

house
בַּבַּ֣יִת (bab·ba·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

is greater
גָד֜וֹל (ḡā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

than I am.
מִמֶּנִּי֒ (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

He has withheld
חָשַׂ֤ךְ (ḥā·śaḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2820: To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe

nothing
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

from
מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙ (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

me except
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you,
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

because
בַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ba·’ă·šer)
Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you
אַתְּ־ (’at-)
Pronoun - second person feminine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are his wife.
אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

So how
וְאֵ֨יךְ (wə·’êḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

could I do
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֜ה (’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

such
הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

a great
הַגְּדֹלָה֙ (hag·gə·ḏō·lāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

evil
הָרָעָ֤ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

and sin
וְחָטָ֖אתִי (wə·ḥā·ṭā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

against God?”
לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃ (lê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Genesis 39:9 He isn't greater in this house than (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 39:8
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