The sound of Genesis 39 echoes Genesis 38. It might explain the presence of the break of Genesis 38.
Potiphar’s wife is a counterpoint sound to Tamar. Both are resourceful women able to negotiate their way through the world made in the male image. Both act cunningly for self-preservation. Yet they are at different ends of the spectrum.
Lie with me
Lie with me
(Vs7,12)
In the previous story Judah wants to lie with Tamar. Here the gender roles are reversed but the power dynamic is the same.
but I screamed. When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.’
(Vs14,15)
The listeners to the story know the reason for the scream. It is false. This is in full contrast to Dinah (Gen 34) who is silent. The sounds here are confusing and unknown. Potiphar’s wife’s sounds control the story. The sounds of the powerful normally do.
Joseph at lower end of the power dynamic loses out.