share torah logo

Genesis 39:14 - False accusation tests righteousness

Genesis 39:14 - בראשית 39:14

Hebrew Text

וַתִּקְרָא לְאַנְשֵׁי בֵיתָהּ וַתֹּאמֶר לָהֶם לֵאמֹר רְאוּ הֵבִיא לָנוּ אִישׁ עִבְרִי לְצַחֶק בָּנוּ בָּא אֵלַי לִשְׁכַּב עִמִּי וָאֶקְרָא בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל׃

English Translation

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

Transliteration

Vatikra le'anshei beita vatomer lahem lemor re'u hevi lanu ish ivri letsachek banu ba elai lishkav imi va'ekra bekol gadol.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּקְרָ֞א לְאַנְשֵׁ֣י בֵיתָ֗הּ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר רְא֗וּ הֵ֥בִיא לָ֛נוּ אִ֥ישׁ עִבְרִ֖י לְצַ֣חֶק בָּ֑נוּ בָּ֤א אֵלַי֙ לִשְׁכַּ֣ב עִמִּ֔י וָאֶקְרָ֖א בְּק֥וֹל גָּדֽוֹל׃
וַתִּקְרָ֞א לְאַנְשֵׁ֣י בֵיתָ֗הּ וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר רְא֗וּ הֵ֥בִיא לָ֛נוּ אִ֥ישׁ עִבְרִ֖י לְצַ֣חֶק בָּ֑נוּ בָּ֤א אֵלַי֙ לִשְׁכַּ֣ב עִמִּ֔י וָאֶקְרָ֖א בְּק֥וֹל גָּדֽוֹל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Story of Yosef and Potiphar's Wife

This verse (Bereshit 39:14) describes the false accusation made by Potiphar's wife against Yosef after he resisted her advances. The narrative highlights Yosef's righteousness in the face of temptation and the subsequent test of his faith.

Phrase-by-Phrase Analysis

  • "וַתִּקְרָא לְאַנְשֵׁי בֵיתָהּ" (She called to the men of her house): Rashi explains that she gathered witnesses to testify against Yosef, attempting to give credibility to her false claim (Rashi on Bereshit 39:14). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:7) notes that she strategically called those who would be inclined to believe her.
  • "רְאוּ הֵבִיא לָנוּ אִישׁ עִבְרִי" (See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us): The term "Hebrew" (עִבְרִי) is used here disparagingly. Ramban (Nachmanides) observes that she emphasizes Yosef's foreign identity to stir resentment, portraying him as an outsider who threatens Egyptian society.
  • "לְצַחֶק בָּנוּ" (to mock us): The word "לְצַחֶק" can imply mockery or immoral behavior. Ibn Ezra suggests she deliberately used ambiguous language to imply Yosef acted improperly, even though he had done no such thing.
  • "בָּא אֵלַי לִשְׁכַּב עִמִּי" (he came in to me to lie with me): This is a complete fabrication, as the Torah earlier states that Yosef fled from her (Bereshit 39:12). The Talmud (Sotah 36b) teaches that Yosef's merit in resisting temptation was so great that it became a model for future generations.
  • "וָאֶקְרָא בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל" (and I cried with a loud voice): Rashi notes that this detail was added to make her story seem plausible, as if she had resisted. However, the Torah's earlier account (39:10-12) reveals that she was the aggressor.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

The Sforno highlights that Yosef's ordeal demonstrates how the righteous may face false accusations, yet ultimately, Hashem vindicates them. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:8) also teaches that Yosef's suffering in this incident was part of his eventual elevation to leadership in Egypt, fulfilling divine providence.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 10b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, illustrating her false accusation against Joseph.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 39:14?
A: In Genesis 39:14, Potiphar's wife falsely accuses Yosef (Joseph) of trying to assault her after he refused her advances. She calls the men of her household and claims Yosef, referred to as 'a Hebrew,' came to mock them and attempted to lie with her, causing her to cry out loudly. This verse shows the test of Yosef's righteousness and his commitment to avoiding sin, despite the consequences.
Q: Why does Potiphar's wife call Yosef 'a Hebrew' in this verse?
A: Potiphar's wife refers to Yosef as 'a Hebrew' to emphasize his foreignness and otherness in Egyptian society. According to Rashi, this was meant to stir anger among the Egyptians, as Hebrews were seen as outsiders. By labeling him this way, she attempts to turn her household against him and justify her false accusation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's actions in this story?
A: Yosef's refusal to sin, even at great personal cost, teaches the importance of moral integrity. The Talmud (Sotah 36b) praises Yosef for resisting temptation, calling him 'Yosef HaTzaddik' (Joseph the Righteous). This teaches that one must uphold righteousness, even in difficult circumstances, trusting in Hashem's plan.
Q: Why did Potiphar's wife falsely accuse Yosef?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:7) explains that after Yosef rejected her advances, Potiphar's wife sought revenge out of humiliation and anger. Her false accusation was an attempt to cover her own guilt and shift blame onto Yosef, showing how jealousy and pride can lead to destructive behavior.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of 'lashon hara' (evil speech)?
A: Potiphar's wife's false accusation is a severe example of 'lashon hara'—harmful or deceptive speech. Jewish ethics, as discussed in works like the Rambam's 'Hilchot De'ot,' emphasize the gravity of spreading lies or damaging another's reputation. This story warns of the dangers of false testimony and the importance of truthful speech.