Genesis 39:15
Genesis 39:15 in Multiple Translations
When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
And 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.
and 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.
And hearing it he went running out without his coat.
When he heard me scream for help, he left his clothing beside me and ran outside.”
And when he heard that I lift vp my voice and cryed, he left his garment with me, and fled away, and got him out.
and it cometh to pass, when he heareth that I have lifted up my voice and call, that he leaveth his garment near me, and fleeth, and goeth without.'
When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
And it came to pass, when he heard that I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and went out.
And he heard my voice, he left the garment that I held, and got him out.
As soon as he heard me scream loudly, he left his loincloth with me and ran outside!”
And as soon as he heard me yell out, he left his coat next to me, and he ran out of the house.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 39:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 39:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֣י
כְ/שָׁמְע֔/וֹ
כִּֽי
הֲרִימֹ֥תִי
קוֹלִ֖/י
וָ/אֶקְרָ֑א
וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֤ב
בִּגְד/וֹ֙
אֶצְלִ֔/י
וַ/יָּ֖נָס
וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א
הַ/חֽוּצָ/ה
וַ/יְהִ֣י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כְ/שָׁמְע֔/וֹ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הֲרִימֹ֥תִי
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs
קוֹלִ֖/י
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms | Suff
וָ/אֶקְרָ֑א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֤ב
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בִּגְד/וֹ֙
beged
H899
treachery
N-ms | Suff
אֶצְלִ֔/י
ʼêtsel
H681
beside
Prep | Suff
וַ/יָּ֖נָס
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/חֽוּצָ/ה
chûwts
H2351
outside
Art | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 39:15
וַ/יְהִ֣י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כְ/שָׁמְע֔/וֹ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הֲרִימֹ֥תִי
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
קוֹלִ֖/י
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
וָ/אֶקְרָ֑א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֤ב
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
בִּגְד/וֹ֙
beged
H899
"treachery"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.
Definition: treachery, deceit
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. See also: Genesis 24:53; Judges 17:10; Psalms 22:19.
אֶצְלִ֔/י
ʼêtsel
H681
"beside"
Prep | Suff
Beside or near, this preposition indicates proximity or closeness to something or someone. It is often translated as at, by, or near in the King James Version, and is used to describe physical or spatial relationships in the Bible.
Definition: 1) beside, by, near, nearness, joining, proximity subst 2) (BDB) 2a) conjunction, proximity 2b) beside, in proximity, contiguous to, from beside
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: at, (hard) by, (from) (beside), near (unto), toward, with. See also H1018 (בֵּית הָאֵצֶל). See also: Genesis 39:10; 2 Chronicles 9:18; Proverbs 7:8.
וַ/יָּ֖נָס
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
הַ/חֽוּצָ/ה
chûwts
H2351
"outside"
Art | N-ms | Suff
This word means outside or outdoors, referring to something beyond a wall or boundary. It can also mean a street or highway, as seen in various KJV translations, including abroad, field, and without.
Definition: outside, outward, street, the outside
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. See also: Genesis 6:14; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Psalms 18:43.
Study Notes — Genesis 39:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Joseph Falsely Imprisoned
13When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house,
14she called her household servants. “Look,” she said, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, but I screamed as loud as I could.
15When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
16So Potiphar’s wife kept Joseph’s cloak beside her until his master came home. 17Then she told him the same story: “The Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me,Genesis 39:15 Summary
[Genesis 39:15 shows that Joseph was a man of integrity who refused to give in to temptation, even when it was difficult. He trusted God and fled from the situation, just like 1 Corinthians 6:18 teaches us to flee from immorality. This verse also shows how quickly things can go wrong when we try to deceive others, as seen in the example of Potiphar's wife. By looking at Joseph's example, we can learn to trust God and do what is right, even when it's hard, and wait for His deliverance, as promised in Psalm 27:14.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered Joseph to run out of the house?
According to Genesis 39:15, Joseph ran out of the house when he heard Potiphar's wife scream for help, after she tried to seduce him and he refused her advances, as seen in the context of Genesis 39:13-14.
Why did Potiphar's wife scream for help if she was the one trying to seduce Joseph?
Potiphar's wife screamed for help to falsely accuse Joseph of trying to seduce her, as part of her plan to cover up her own sin, as mentioned in Genesis 39:14 and further explained in Genesis 39:17.
What was left behind by Joseph when he ran out of the house?
According to Genesis 39:15, Joseph left his cloak behind when he ran out of the house, which Potiphar's wife used as false evidence against him, as seen in Genesis 39:16.
How does this event relate to Joseph's overall story in the Bible?
This event is part of the larger story of Joseph's life, which is marked by his faithfulness to God and his trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Genesis 37:1-36 and Genesis 40-50, and is a testament to the truth of Romans 8:28, which says that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
Reflection Questions
- What would you have done if you were in Joseph's situation, and how can you apply his example of integrity to your own life?
- How does this verse show the importance of fleeing from temptation, as also taught in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 2 Timothy 2:22?
- What does this event reveal about the character of Potiphar's wife, and what warning can we take from her example about the dangers of deception and manipulation?
- How can you trust God's sovereignty in difficult situations, like Joseph did, and wait for His deliverance, as promised in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 39:15
And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried,.... He attempting to ravish her, as she would have it understood, but afraid, lest upon her outcry those that were in the house
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 39:15
And 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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 39:15
Genesis 39:15 And 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.Ver. 15. And it came to pass, &c.] How many innocents, in all ages, have perished by false accusation! Here, this vermin accuseth her husband of foolishness, her servant of filthiness; which she first affirmeth, secondly confirmeth, by producing his garment, left in her hands. That "accuser of the brethren" set her on; as he did the malicious heathens, to traduce and denigrate those pure primitive Christians (purer than snow, whiter than milk; ruddier than rubies; their polishing was of sapphire, Lamentations 4:7), as so many murderers, man-eaters, adulterers, church-robbers traitors, &c. Which last, Lipsius calls Unicum crimen eorum, qui crimine vacabant. So the Waldenses were spitefully accused of Manicheeism, and Catharism; and thereupon a Croisado [crusade] was published against them, as common enemies. So, a little afore the massacre of Paris, it was given out by the French Papists, that the Protestants in their conventicles plotted treason, acted villany, &c. And after the massacre, there was a coin stamped, in the fore-part whereof, together with the king’ s picture, was this inscription; Virtus in rebelles: and on the other side, Pietas excitavit iustitiam. Those that kill a dog, make the world believe he was mad first: so the enemies of the Church ever first traduced her to the world, and then persecuted her; first "pulled off her veil," and then "wounded her." Tertullian. Arch.
Ussher., De Christ. Eccles. Success. et Statu. p. 236. Camden’ s Elisab., fol. 163. Qui son chien vult tuer, la rage luy met sus. - A French Proverb.