Interesting Facts

• Zelicah, the wife of Joseph’s master, repeatedly tried to persuade Joseph to lie with her over an extended period, described as “day after day”, for a year, and even continued after Joseph was imprisoned for three months.
• When her attempts at persuasion failed, Zelicah feigned illness due to her intense desire for Joseph. This illness was severe enough that all the women of Egypt came to visit her.
• To demonstrate her desire and Joseph’s captivating beauty to the women of Egypt, Zelicah orchestrated a banquet where the women, upon seeing Joseph, were so overwhelmed by his appearance that they inadvertently cut their hands with knives.
• In a desperate attempt, Zelicah physically assaulted Joseph, falling upon him and attempting to force him, but he proved stronger and brought her to the ground. She even drew a sword and threatened him with death if he did not comply with her wishes.
• After Joseph fled, leaving his garment behind, Zelicah cunningly changed her clothes and falsely accused Joseph of attempting to lie with her, using the torn garment as evidence.

Genealogy

• Zelicah is identified as the wife of Joseph’s master. This master is later referred to as Potiphar.
• The text mentions that Potipherah, priest of On, had a daughter named Asenath who became Joseph’s wife. There is no direct statement linking Potipherah to Zelicah’s lineage or marital connections, other than her marriage to Potiphar.
• The sources do not explicitly detail Zelicah’s parents or any offspring she may have had with Potiphar.

Historical Context

The narrative of Zelicah takes place in ancient Egypt, during a time when social hierarchies and power dynamics were significant. Joseph was a Hebrew slave in Potiphar’s household, placing him in a subservient position to Zelicah, his master’s wife. The expectations of wifely fidelity and the consequences of sexual transgressions were likely significant cultural norms. Zelicah’s actions, particularly her attempts to seduce a slave and her subsequent false accusations, highlight the power she wielded as a woman of a high-ranking household. The account of the women of Egypt being captivated by Joseph’s beauty and Zelicah using this to justify her own desires suggests an awareness of societal perceptions of physical attractiveness. The celebration of the Nile’s inundation, during which Zelicah plotted her encounter with Joseph, provides a glimpse into Egyptian religious and social customs. Furthermore, the involvement of priests as judges in Joseph’s case indicates the intersection of religious authority and legal proceedings in their society.

Narrative

Zelicah’s narrative is driven by her intense desire for Joseph, a “youth comely and well favored”. This desire is repeatedly emphasized, escalating from casting her eyes upon him to loving him and beseeching him, to coveting his beauty and having her soul fixed upon him. Her attempts to seduce Joseph are multifaceted, ranging from daily enticements and persuasive words highlighting his beauty to more manipulative tactics like inviting him to play music. Despite her persistent efforts and promises of good things, Joseph consistently refuses her advances, citing his fear of sinning against God and betraying his master’s trust. Zelicah’s frustration and unfulfilled desire lead to a severe lovesickness, which she attempts to alleviate by demonstrating Joseph’s allure to other women. Her desperation culminates in a physical assault and a death threat when Joseph tries to flee. Upon his escape, Zelicah resorts to cunning and deceit, falsely accusing Joseph of attempted rape to her household and later to Potiphar, using the torn garment as fabricated evidence. This accusation leads to Joseph’s imprisonment, despite his innocence and the testimony of a young child. Even after Joseph’s imprisonment, Zelicah continues to pressure him for three months, promising him release if he would yield to her. Her narrative portrays a woman consumed by desire, willing to employ manipulation, deceit, and even violence to achieve her ends, ultimately leading to the unjust suffering of Joseph.