That 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:

GENESIS 39:14KJV
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Genesis 39:14 (KJV)

What does Genesis 39:14 mean?

Genesis 39:14 describes how Potiphar’s wife called out to the other men in the house and accused Joseph, a Hebrew servant, of trying to assault her, claiming she cried out loudly for help. This verse shows her attempt to frame Joseph by telling a false story to the household staff.

Potiphar’s wife is speaking to the men of her house after Joseph fled from her. She blames her husband for bringing Joseph, described as “an Hebrew,” into their home, and claims Joseph tried to “mock” or take advantage of her. This accusation sets up the conflict that leads to Joseph’s imprisonment, even though he is innocent.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 39:14

  • “Hebrew” (עִבְרִי, ʿivri): This word highlights Joseph’s outsider status in Egypt. Potiphar’s wife uses it to emphasize that Joseph is not one of them, possibly stirring up suspicion or prejudice among the household.
  • “Mock” (צָחַק, tsachaq): This word can mean to laugh at, make sport of, or ridicule. Here, it carries the sense of Joseph being accused of treating them with disrespect or trying to shame them, not just a physical attack.
  • “Cried” (קָרָא, qara): The same word is used for both her calling to the men and her claim of crying out. This repetition stresses her attempt to appear as a victim and to make her story more believable.

Why Genesis 39:14 matters

  • This verse shows how Potiphar’s wife shifts blame and manipulates the situation by appealing to the prejudices of those around her, calling Joseph “an Hebrew” to highlight his foreignness.
  • The accusation is a turning point in Joseph’s story, leading directly to his imprisonment and the next stage of his journey in Egypt.
  • Understanding the original words for “mock” and “cried” helps clarify that the accusation is not just about a physical act but also about shaming and dishonoring the household, which would have been a serious matter in that culture.

Where else these words appear

“mock” Hebrew H6711 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
  • Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
  • Genesis 26:8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

“Hebrew” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.