Texts in Conversation
Genesis 39 describes Joseph resisting Potiphar’s wife without explaining any deeper motivation. The Aramaic translation in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan adds that Joseph’s refusal was driven by a desire to be judged favorably in the age to come.
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Genesis 39:10
Hebrew Bible
8 But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care. 9 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?” 10 Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to go to bed with her. 11 One day he went into the house to do his work when none of the household servants were there in the house. 12 She grabbed him by his outer garment, saying, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his outer garment in her hand and ran outside.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Pseudo Jonathan Genesis 39:10
Targum
9 He is no greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except yourself, since you are his wife. How, then, could I do this great evil and become guilty before the Lord?” 10 And when she spoke with Joseph each day, he did not listen to her to lie with her, lest he be declared guilty with her on the day of the great judgment in the world to come 11 On a certain day he came into the house to study his reckoning tablets, and there was not one of the members of the household there in the house
Date: 300-1200 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Compare with Genesis Rabbah 87:6; b. Yoma 35b (164); Sotah 3b (11); Jubilees 39:6 ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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