King James Version

What Does Genesis 39:9 Mean?

Genesis 39:9 in the King James Version says “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his w...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Genesis 39:9 · KJV

Context

7

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

8

But 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;

9

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?

10

And 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.

11

And 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.

Read Genesis 39 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, be... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ1 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

הַגְּדֹלָה֙2 of 22

“There is none greater”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בַּבַּ֣יִת3 of 22

“in this house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַזֶּה֮4 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מִמֶּנִּי֒5 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְלֹֽא6 of 22

“than I neither”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָשַׂ֤ךְ7 of 22

“hath he kept back”

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙8 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מְא֔וּמָה9 of 22

“any thing”

H3972

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

כִּ֥י10 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם11 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אוֹתָ֖ךְ12 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 22

“from me but thee because”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתְּ14 of 22

“thou”

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ15 of 22

“art his wife”

H802

a woman

וְאֵ֨יךְ16 of 22
H349

how? or how!; also where

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֜ה17 of 22

“how then can I do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הָֽרָעָ֤ה18 of 22

“wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַגְּדֹלָה֙19 of 22

“There is none greater”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַזֹּ֔את20 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְחָטָ֖אתִי21 of 22

“and sin”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃22 of 22

“against God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 39:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 39:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 12:13Genesis 42:18Genesis 20:6Galatians 5:19-21Luke 12:481 John 3:9

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