Joseph and Petephres' Wife

Genesis 39

Sold in Egypt to Petephres, an officer of Pharao, Joseph prospers in his master's house until Petephres's wife, failing to seduce him, falsely accuses him and has him thrown into prison. Even there the Lord is with Joseph, and the keeper of the prison entrusts him with authority over the other prisoners.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW when Joseph was brought to Egypt, Petephres the chamberlain of Pharao, the captain of the guards, an Egyptian, bought him at the hands of the Ismaelites, who had brought him thither.

BrentonAnd Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Petephres the eunuch of Pharao, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ismaelites, who brought him down thither.

GreekἸωσὴφ δὲ κατήχθη εἰς Αἴγυπτον· καὶ ἐκτήσατο αὐτὸν Πετεφρὴς ὁ εὐνοῦχος Φαραὼ, ὁ ἀρχιμάγειρος, ἀνὴρ Αἰγύπτιος, ἐκ χειρῶν τῶν Ἰσμαηλιτῶν, οἳ κατήγαγον αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

JPSAnd Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither.

ThomsonAnd the Lord was with Joseph, so that he was a fortunate man and was in the same house with his master the Egyptian.

BrentonAnd the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house with his lord the Egyptian.

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Κύριος μετὰ Ἰωσήφ· καὶ ἦν ἀνὴρ ἐπιτυγχάνων· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ παρὰ τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ τῷ Αἰγυπτίῳ.

KJVAnd the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

JPSAnd the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

ThomsonAnd his master perceived that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord prospered in his hands whatever he did.

BrentonAnd his master knew that the Lord was with him, and the Lord prospers in his hands whatsoever he happens to do.

GreekἬδει δὲ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ὁ Κύριος ἦν μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν ποιῇ, Κύριος εὐοδοῖ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonSo Joseph found favour in the sight of his master; and he was pleased with him and set him over his household and committed all that he had to Joseph’s charge.

BrentonAnd Joseph found grace in the presence of his lord, and was well-pleasing to him; and he set him over his house, and all that he had he gave into the hand of Joseph.

GreekΚαὶ εὗρεν Ἰωσὴφ χάριν ἐναντίον τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ εὐηρέστησεν αὐτῷ. Καὶ κατέστησε αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ· καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἦν αὐτῷ, ἔδωκε διὰ χειρὸς Ἰωσήφ.

KJVAnd Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

JPSAnd Joseph found favour in his sight, and he ministered unto him. And he appointed him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

ThomsonAnd after he had made him overseer of his household, and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph’s sake; and there was a blessing of the Lord on all his substance, in his house and in his field.

BrentonAnd it came to pass after that he was set over his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all his possessions in the house, and in his field.

GreekἘγένετο δὲ μετὰ τὸ καταστῆναι αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ πάντα ὅσα ἦν αὐτῷ, καὶ ηὐλόγησε Κύριος τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Αἰγυπτίου διὰ Ἰωσήφ· καὶ ἐγενήθη εὐλογία Κυρίου ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὑπάρχουσιν αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ, καὶ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that 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.

JPSAnd it came to pass from the time that he appointed him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that 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.

ThomsonSo he left to Joseph’s management all that he had, and knew not anything he had save the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was a comely person and of a very beautiful countenance,

BrentonAnd he committed all that he had into the hands of Joseph; and he knew not of anything that belonged to him, save the bread which he himself ate. And Joseph was handsome in form, and exceedingly beautiful in countenance.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέτρεψε πάντα ὅσα ἦν αὐτῷ, εἰς χεῖρας Ἰωσήφ· καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει τῶν καθʼ αὑτὸν οὐδὲν, πλὴν τοῦ ἄρτου, οὗ ἤσθιεν αὐτός. Καὶ ἦν Ἰωσὴφ καλὸς τῷ εἴδει, καὶ ὡραῖος τῇ ὄψει σφόδρα.

KJVAnd he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

JPSAnd he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and, having him, he knew not aught save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was of beautiful form, and fair to look upon.

Thomsonand after these things his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, Lie with me,

BrentonAnd it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, Lie with me.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, καὶ ἐπέβαλεν ἡ γυνὴ τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς ἐπὶ Ἰωσήφ· καὶ εἶπεν, κοιμήθητι μετʼ ἐμοῦ.

KJVAnd it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

JPSAnd it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said: ‘Lie with me.’

Thomsonbut he refused and said to his master’s wife, Seeing my lord, on account of his confidence in me, knoweth not any thing in his house, and hath committed to my charge all that he hath

BrentonBut he would not; but said to his master's wife, If because of me my master knows nothing in his house, and has given into my hands all things that belong to him:

GreekὉ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν· εἶπε δὲ τῇ γυναικὶ τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ, εἰ ὁ κύριός μου οὐ γινώσκει διʼ ἐμὲ οὐδὲν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ ἔδωκεν εἰς τὰς χεῖράς μου,

KJVBut 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;

JPSBut he refused, and said unto his master’s wife: ‘Behold, my master, having me, knoweth not what is in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand;

Thomsonand there is none in the family superior to me, nor any thing withheld from me, except thyself because thou art his wife; how then can I do this wicked act and commit sin in the presence of God.

Brentonand 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?

Greekκαὶ οὐχ ὑπερέχει ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ταύτῆ οὐθὲν ἐμοῦ, οὐδὲ ὑπεξῄρηται ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ οὐδὲν, πλὴν σοῦ, διὰ τὸ σὲ γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ εἶναι, καὶ πῶς ποιήσω τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ πονηρὸν τοῦτο, καὶ ἁμαρτήσομαι ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ;

KJVThere 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?

JPShe 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?’

ThomsonAnd when she had spoken to Joseph day after day and he hearkened not to her to lie down with her to have commerce with her,

BrentonAnd when she talked with Joseph day by day, and he hearkened not to her to sleep with her, so as to be with her,

GreekἩνίκα δὲ ἐλάλει τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἡμέραν ἐξ ἡμέρας, καὶ οὐχ ὑπήκουεν αὐτῇ καθεύδειν μετʼ αὐτῆς, τοῦ συγγενέσθαι αὐτῇ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Thomsonit came to pass that one day when Joseph went into the house to transact his business and none of the domestics were within,

Brentonit came to pass on a certain day, that Joseph went into the house to do his business, and there was no one of the household within.

GreekἘγένετο δὲ τοιαύτη τις ἡμέρα, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἰωσὴφ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν ποιεῖν τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐθεὶς ἦν τῶν ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἔσω.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd it came to pass on a certain day, when he went into the house to do his work, and there was none of the men of the house there within,

Thomsonshe took hold of his mantle saying, Lie with me. But he leaving his mantle in her hands fled and went out.

BrentonAnd she caught hold of him by his clothes, and said, Lie with me; and having left his clothes in her hands, he fled, and went forth.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπεσπάσατο αὐτὸν τῶν ἱματίων, λέγουσα, κοιμήθητι μετʼ ἐμοῦ· καὶ καταλιπὼν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς ἔφυγε, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἔξω.

KJVAnd she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

JPSthat she caught him by his garment, saying: ‘Lie with me.’ And he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

ThomsonAnd when she saw that he had left his mantle in her hands and had fled and was gone,

BrentonAnd it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his clothes in her hands, and fled, and gone forth,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς εἶδεν ὅτι καταλιπὼν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς ἔφυγε, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἔξω,

KJVAnd it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

JPSAnd it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

Thomsonshe called those who were in the house and spoke to them saying, See! He hath brought in amongst us a Hebrew slave to insult us. He came to me saying, Lie with me. But I cried with a loud voice. And when he heard that I raised my voice and cried aloud he left his mantle with me, fled and went out.

Brentonthat she called those that were in the house, and spoke to them, saying, See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew servant to mock us—he came in to me, saying, Lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.

Greekκαὶ ἐκάλεσε τοὺς ὄντας ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, λέγουσα, ἴδετε, εἰσήγαγε ἡμῖν παῖδα Ἐβραῖον, ἐμπαίζειν ἡμῖν· εἰσῆλθε πρός με, λέγων, κοιμήθητι μετʼ ἐμοῦ· καὶ ἐβόησα φωνῇ μεγάλῃ.

KJVThat she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:

JPSthat she called unto the men of her house, and spoke unto them, saying: ‘See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, having left his clothes with me, he fled, and went forth out.

GreekἘν δὲ τῷ ἀκοῦσαι αὐτὸν, ὅτι ὕψωσα τὴν φωνήν μου καὶ ἐβόησα, καταλιπὼν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ παρʼ ἐμοὶ ἔφυγε, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἔξω.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled, and got him out.’

ThomsonAnd she kept the garment by her till his master came home

BrentonSo she leaves the clothes by her, until the master came to his house.

GreekΚαὶ καταλιμπάνει τὰ ἱμάτια παρʼ ἑαυτῇ, ἕως ἦλθεν ὁ κύριος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

JPSAnd she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.

Thomsonand spoke to him in like terms saying, The Hebrew slave whom thou hast brought in amongst us came in to me to insult me and said to me, Let me lie with thee.

BrentonAnd she spoke to him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom thou broughtest in to us, came in to me to mock me, and said to me, I will lie with thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, λέγουσα, εἰσῆλθε πρός με ὁ παῖς ὁ Ἑβραῖος, ὃν εἰσήγαγες πρὸς ἡμᾶς, ἐμπαῖξαί μοι· καὶ εἶπέ μοι, κοιμηθήσομαι μετὰ σοῦ.

KJVAnd she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

JPSAnd she spoke unto him according to these words, saying: ‘The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me.

ThomsonBut when he heard that I raised my voice and cried aloud; leaving his mantle with me he fled and went out.

BrentonAnd when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, having left his clothes with me, he fled and departed forth.

GreekὩς δὲ ἤκοῦσεν, ὅτι ὕψωσα τὴν φωνήν μου καὶ ἐβόησα, καταλιπὼν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ παρʼ ἐμοὶ ἔφυγε, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἔξω.

KJVAnd it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

JPSAnd it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out.’

ThomsonWhen his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke saying, In this manner did thy slave treat me, he was greatly incensed.

BrentonAnd it came to pass, when his master heard all the words of his wife, that she spoke to him, saying, Thus did thy servant to me, that he was very angry.

GreekἘγένετο δὲ, ὡς ἤκουσεν ὁ κύριος τὰ ῥήματα τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅσα ἐλάλησε πρὸς αὐτὸν, λέγουσα, οὕτως ἐποίησέ μοι ὁ παῖς σου, καὶ ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke unto him, saying: ‘After this manner did thy servant to me’; that his wrath was kindled.

ThomsonSo Joseph’s master took and cast him into prison—into the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

BrentonAnd his master took Joseph, and cast him into the prison, into the place where the king's prisoners are kept, there in the prison.

GreekΚαὶ λαβὼν ὁ κύριος Ἰωσὴφ, ἐνέβαλε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ ὀχύρωμα, εἰς τὸν τόπον ἐν ᾧ οἱ δεσμῶται τοῦ βασιλέως κατέχονται ἐκεῖ ἐν τῷ ὀχυρώματι.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound; and he was there in the prison.

ThomsonBut in the prison the Lord was with Joseph, and continued his kindness and gave him favour in the sight of the principal keeper of the prison.

BrentonAnd the Lord was with Joseph, and poured down mercy upon him; and he gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison.

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Κύριος μετὰ Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ κατέχεεν αὐτοῦ ἔλεος· καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ χάριν ἐναντίον τοῦ ἀρχιδεσμοφύλακος.

KJVBut the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

JPSBut the LORD was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

ThomsonAnd the principal keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s care the prison and all the prisoners who were in the prison. And whatever was done there, he was the person who caused it to be done.

BrentonAnd the chief keeper of the prison gave the prison into the hand of Joseph, and all the prisoners as many as were in the prison; and all things whatsoever they do there, he did them.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκεν ὁ ἀρχιδεσμοφύλαξ τὸ δεσμωτήριον διὰ χειρὸς Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀπηγμένους ὅσοι ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ, καὶ πάντα ὅσα ποιοῦσιν ἐκεῖ, αὐτὸς ἦν ποιῶν.

KJVAnd the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

JPSAnd the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

ThomsonThe principal keeper took no cognizance of any thing himself; for all things were committed to Joseph’s management, because the Lord was with him, and the Lord prospered in his hands whatever he did.

BrentonBecause of him the chief keeper of the prison knew nothing, for all things were in the hand of Joseph, because the Lord was with him; and whatever things he did, the Lord made them to prosper in his hands.

GreekΟὐκ ἦν ὁ ἀρχιδεσμοφύλαξ τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου γινώσκον διʼ αὐτὸν οὐθέν· πάντα γὰρ ἦν διὰ χειρὸς Ἰωσὴφ, διὰ τὸ τὸν Κύριον μετʼ αὐτοῦ εἶναι· καὶ ὅσα αὐτὸς ἐποίει, ὁ Κύριος εὐώδο ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ.

KJVThe keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

JPSThe keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand, because the LORD was with him; and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.