Book of Genesis Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #10

She put off her widow's garments, put on a veil, wrapped herself up, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. She saw that Shelah was grown up, yet she had not been given to him in marriage. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a prostitute, for she had covered her face. (NRSV 38:14-15)

And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. (KJV 38:14-15)

Is it possible that lying is the only right and proper way for a woman to act justly in a man's world?

Quote #11

"The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to insult me; but as soon as I raised my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me, and fled outside." (NRSV 39:17-18)

The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. (KJV 39:17-18)

Or so Potiphar's wife tells her husband. In reality, she was the one who tried to force Joseph into the sack. What purpose does this passage serve? What does Potiphar's wife add to the mix?

Quote #12

When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food." (NRSV 42:7)

And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. (KJV 42:7)

What a perfect set-up. Joseph's brothers have no idea who he is—he totally plays it up—and it allows Joseph to toy with his brothers and get some payback for selling him into slavery. Plus, it creates all sorts of wonderful ironies. And we love ironies.