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.
Ver. 11. To do his business.] To look up his bills of account, saith the Chaldee. Idleness is the devil's opportunity, the hour of temptation. But let a man be never so busy about his lawful employments, he is to expect assaults. As he is not idle, so neither is Satan: but walks about, and spreads his snares for us in all places, and businesses; speaking a good word also in temptations that come from the flesh, which are therefore called "his messengers," 2Co 12:7 and by giving place to them, we "give place to the devil." Eph 4:27
And there was none of the men of the house there within.] Josephus saith that they were all gone forth to a feast; and she only left at home, as feigning herself sick. Sick she was, as likewise Amnon, with the lust of concupiscence, which the apostle calls παθος, a disease, 1Th 4:5 such as those which the physicians say are corruptio totius substantiae; the body and soul are both tainted and rotted by it. Other diseases consume only the matter of the body, but this, the holiness and honour of the body. a Other sicknesses sanctify us, but this profanes us, and lets the devil into our hearts. Behemoth lieth in the fens; Job 40:21 that is, the devil in sensual hearts; as Gul. Paris. applieth it. And when the waters of the sanctuary flowed, the miry places could not be healed. Eze 47:11
a Quod sanitas in corpore, sanctitas in corde. - Bern.