Genesis 39:16

KJV

And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she laid up {H3240} his garment {H899} by her {H681}, until his lord {H113} came {H935} home {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She put the robe aside until his master came home.

Berean Standard Bible

So Potiphar’s wife kept Joseph’s cloak beside her until his master came home.

American Standard Version

And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 39:16 describes Potiphar's wife's calculated act of retaining Joseph's outer garment after he fled her sexual advances. This seemingly simple action is pivotal, as she deliberately preserved the garment to serve as fabricated evidence for a false accusation against Joseph upon her husband's return, thereby setting the stage for Joseph's unjust imprisonment and underscoring the insidious nature of deceit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point within the larger narrative of Joseph's life in Egypt, specifically following his rise to a position of significant trust and authority in Potiphar's household. Genesis 39 opens with Joseph's arrival in Egypt as a slave, quickly establishing God's favor upon him, leading Potiphar to entrust him with all his possessions [Genesis 39:1-6](/genesis/39-1-6 "Joseph's prosperity in Potiphar's house"). The narrative then shifts to the persistent sexual harassment Joseph endures from Potiphar's wife. Joseph's unwavering refusal, rooted in his loyalty to his master and, more profoundly, his reverence for God ("How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" [Genesis 39:9](/genesis/39-9 "Joseph's refusal to sin against God")), culminates in the dramatic confrontation where he flees, leaving his garment behind [Genesis 39:12](/genesis/39-12 "Joseph flees from Potiphar's wife"). Verse 16 directly follows this escape, detailing her immediate and premeditated action to secure the "evidence" for her impending false accusation, which is then recounted to her servants and later to Potiphar in the subsequent verses [Genesis 39:14-15](/genesis/39-14-15 "Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph") and [Genesis 39:17-18](/genesis/39-17-18 "Potiphar's wife repeats her accusation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, the household of a high-ranking official like Potiphar, "captain of the guard," would have been extensive and hierarchical, often including numerous servants and slaves. The master of the house held immense authority, and a slave, particularly a foreign one like Joseph, had virtually no legal recourse against an accusation from the master's wife. Garments, especially outer cloaks, were significant items of personal property and could be easily shed in a struggle. In a society where honor and reputation were paramount, and legal proceedings might rely heavily on the word of a person of status, a physical item like a torn or discarded garment could serve as compelling, albeit circumstantial, evidence. Potiphar's wife's actions reflect a calculated manipulation of these social dynamics, leveraging her position and the perceived "evidence" of the garment to ensure Joseph's condemnation and protect her own reputation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It highlights the **integrity and faithfulness of Joseph** in the face of severe temptation, contrasting sharply with the **deceit and malice** of Potiphar's wife. It underscores the theme of **unjust suffering endured by the righteous**, a motif that recurs throughout biblical history and finds its ultimate expression in Christ. Furthermore, it subtly points to **God's sovereign hand** at work even amidst human wickedness and injustice, as Joseph's imprisonment, a direct result of this false accusation, becomes a crucial step in God's larger plan to preserve His people and fulfill His covenant promises, as seen in the later events of [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Joseph's rise to power in Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The simple statement, "And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home," carries profound narrative weight, transforming an ordinary piece of clothing into a weapon of deceit.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **laid up (Hebrew, _yânach'_):** From H3240, a primitive root meaning "to deposit" or "to allow to stay." This word choice is crucial, indicating a deliberate and intentional act of placing or setting something aside for a specific purpose, rather than merely dropping or discarding it. It emphasizes the premeditated nature of Potiphar's wife's actions, highlighting her calculated plan to use the garment as evidence.
* **garment (Hebrew, _beged'_):** From H899, referring to a general covering or clothing. In this context, it is Joseph's outer cloak, which he shed to escape the grasp of Potiphar's wife. While an ordinary item, its significance here is transformed; it becomes the tangible "proof" in her fabricated narrative, a silent witness twisted to speak a lie.
* **lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** From H113, meaning "sovereign," "controller," "master," or "owner." This refers to Potiphar, Joseph's master. The use of "lord" emphasizes Potiphar's authority over Joseph and his household, making his wife's anticipated accusation all the more potent, as a master's judgment would be swift and decisive, especially against a slave.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she laid up his garment by her":** This phrase describes the immediate and deliberate action taken by Potiphar's wife after Joseph's escape. The verb "laid up" (Hebrew: *yânach*) implies a careful, intentional placement, not a casual dropping. The garment, Joseph's outer cloak, was not simply left where it fell; it was purposefully retrieved and secured "by her," indicating her possession and control of the object. This act reveals her cunning and the premeditation of her malicious intent, as she was actively preparing to construct a false narrative.
* **"until his lord came home":** This clause reveals the timing and the target of her deception. She did not immediately cry out or accuse Joseph to the household servants. Instead, she patiently waited for her husband, Potiphar, Joseph's "lord" (Hebrew: *ʼâdôwn*), to return home. This waiting period further underscores her calculated scheme. She intended to present the "evidence" directly to the one who held authority over Joseph's fate, ensuring maximum impact and credibility for her lie. Her patience highlights her determination to achieve Joseph's downfall.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 39:16 employs several potent **Literary Devices**. **Symbolism** is prominent, with Joseph's garment serving as a dual symbol: it represents his integrity and commitment to purity (he chose to abandon it rather than compromise his righteousness), yet it is simultaneously twisted into a symbol of false accusation and malicious deceit by Potiphar's wife. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as Joseph's unjust suffering and imprisonment, initiated by this false accusation, foreshadow his later exaltation and, more broadly, the pattern of righteous suffering leading to divine vindication found throughout biblical history, culminating in Christ. There is also a strong element of **Irony**: the very object that silently testifies to Joseph's innocence (he left it to flee sin) is precisely what is used to condemn him. Finally, **Dramatic Irony** is at play, as the reader is fully aware of Joseph's innocence and the wife's deception, while Potiphar remains ignorant, creating tension and highlighting the tragic injustice that is about to unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's experience in Genesis 39:16 vividly illustrates that choosing to do what is right, especially when resisting temptation, can lead to unfair suffering and false accusations. His unwavering integrity, rather than protecting him from hardship, directly leads to his immediate setback and imprisonment. This narrative reminds believers that God's sovereign plan is at work even in circumstances of profound injustice and can use trials for a greater redemptive purpose. The actions of Potiphar's wife also serve as a stark example of malicious deception and false witness, a sin explicitly condemned in the Ten Commandments, highlighting how cunningly lies can be woven using partial truths or manipulated facts.

* [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "The Ninth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor")
* [Psalm 105:17-19](/psalm/105-17-19 "Joseph's suffering and God's testing")
* [1 Peter 4:12-16](/1_peter/4-12-16 "Suffering for righteousness' sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 39:16 offers a sobering reminder of the realities of living righteously in a fallen world. Joseph's unwavering commitment to purity, even when it resulted in severe and unjust consequences, serves as a powerful example for believers. We are called to stand firm against temptation, understanding that integrity may sometimes lead to suffering or false accusations. In such moments, like Joseph, we must trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is with us even in the midst of injustice and can use our trials for His ultimate glory and our good. This verse also urges discernment, to recognize and resist the deceptive schemes that seek to twist truth and inflict harm, and to remember that true vindication ultimately comes from God, not from human courts or opinions. Our faithfulness, even in suffering, is a testament to His power and our trust in His unfailing justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's response to temptation, even at great personal cost, challenge my own willingness to prioritize integrity over comfort or reputation?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to twist truth or engage in deception, even subtly, to protect myself or achieve a desired outcome?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty when faced with injustice or false accusations, knowing that He can use even difficult circumstances for His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why was the garment so important to Potiphar's wife's accusation?**

Answer: The garment was crucial because it served as tangible, physical "evidence" to support her fabricated story. In the absence of witnesses to the attempted seduction, a piece of clothing left behind by Joseph, especially in a struggle, could be presented as irrefutable proof that he had indeed attempted to assault her. By carefully "laying it up," she ensured it would be available to lend credibility to her lie in the eyes of her husband, who, as a powerful official, would likely accept such physical evidence from his wife against a foreign slave.

**Does this verse suggest Joseph should have acted differently to avoid the accusation?**

Answer: No, this verse does not suggest Joseph should have acted differently. Joseph's actions in fleeing were a clear and decisive demonstration of his commitment to purity and his refusal to sin against God and his master. While his flight led to the garment being left behind, which was then maliciously used against him, his integrity was preserved. The narrative highlights the maliciousness and cunning of Potiphar's wife, not a flaw in Joseph's righteous response. His choice to flee, even at the cost of his reputation and freedom, underscores his profound moral and spiritual conviction, which is the very reason God continued to be with him, even in prison [Genesis 39:21](/genesis/39-21 "God's presence with Joseph in prison").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's experience in Genesis 39:16, where he suffers false accusation due to his righteousness and integrity, powerfully prefigures the life and passion of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was utterly innocent, yet He was falsely accused, betrayed, and suffered unjustly at the hands of those who twisted the truth and bore false witness against Him [Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59-60 "False Witnesses Against Jesus"). The "evidence" brought against Jesus during His trial was often fabricated or misinterpreted, much like Joseph's garment was used to construct a lie. Christ, the ultimate innocent one, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), endured the ultimate injustice, being condemned to death for crimes He did not commit [1 Peter 2:21-23](/1_peter/2-21-23 "Christ's Suffering as an Example"). His suffering, however, was not in vain; it was part of God's sovereign plan for the salvation of humanity, just as Joseph's suffering ultimately led to the salvation of his family and Egypt. Joseph's vindication and exaltation in Egypt, rising from prison to power, foreshadow Christ's resurrection and ascension, where He was ultimately vindicated and exalted as [Lord over all](/philippians/2-8-11 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation") and [King of kings](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:32

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

Jeremiah 9:3

And they bend their tongues [like] their bow [for] lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Jeremiah 4:22

For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

Psalms 37:12

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.