Genesis 39:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Witnessing the household tasks, she, like a wild beast, lunged at the young man and grasped him by his clothing, overpowering him. We cannot overlook this; rather, we must reflect on the struggle that the righteous individual faced. It seems less remarkable that the three young men remained unscathed in the Babylonian furnace than it is extraordinary that this remarkable young man, despite being seized by the garments of this shameful and unrestrained woman, did not yield to her advances but escaped, leaving his clothes behind. Just as those three youths, aided from on high due to their virtue, triumphed over the flames, so too did this young man, by earnestly striving and exhibiting steadfastness in his commitment to purity, receive divine assistance.

While he was still a youth and vibrant in his years, he resisted the advances of the Egyptian woman, who relentlessly pressed him to commit an act he ought to avoid; she clutched his clothing firmly and without modesty, compelling him to sin against his will. Yet, he abandoned his garments and escaped from the brazen temptress, remaining unyielded to desire. Likewise, Christ was present among the Gentiles, embodied in the holy Apostles, who declared that they bore His afflictions in their own bodies (Galatians 6:17). They chose not to conform to those preoccupied with the transient pleasures of this world and distanced themselves from the desires of the flesh. Such is the perpetual way of the saints.

When she could not persuade him through her cunning, the woman resorted to deceit to lure him to her secret place. Joseph had the option to escape and return to his father's home, but he despised the thought of fleeing, having been saved from moral failure. Therefore, he determined to endure until his dreams were realized. With unashamed boldness, she confronted the righteous man, saying, "Come to me, do not fear anything; with abandon I will revel in your beauty, and you too will delight in mine. You have total authority over all the servants in this house; no one dares to intrude upon our private moments. If you refuse, I will drive my husband away with poison.

He left behind what the unfaithful woman grasped as if it were not his own, and considered as alien what she could touch and take. Indeed, remarkable is the husband who was betrayed yet did not perceive his own servitude; who was fervently adored yet offered no affection in return; who was implored yet remained steadfast; who was pursued yet evaded. When the wife of his master approached him, he could be grasped by his garments, yet his spirit could not be ensnared; he could hardly withstand her words, for he deemed it impure to linger with her, fearing that the enticing allure of an adulteress might overpower him. Consequently, he wrenched off his clothing and liberated himself from temptation, abandoning the attire that bound him. Though undraped, he was not uncovered, for he wore the mantle of purity; indeed, he is not bare who escapes untainted by guilt.

In the Holy Scriptures, we encounter God manifest in human form and as the Divine Word. However, we have yet to fully grasp the incorporeal, eternal Father in the same way we comprehend Him through the incorporeal and singular Son, as articulated in the statement, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father, and I in the Father, and the Father in Me" (John 14:9-10). Therefore, we require substantial reasoning to pierce through the layers of language surrounding the Word, enabling us to perceive Him unveiled and presented as a man with pure hearts. It is essential for those sincerely seeking God to avoid being tethered to what is spoken, so as not to mistakenly accept mere descriptions of the Divine instead of experiencing God Himself.

The Egyptian woman, a morally questionable figure known for her overwhelming desire, attempted to seduce the virtuous Joseph. When her verbal enticements failed, she resorted to physical force in an effort to capture him. Yet, Joseph, displaying remarkable courage, shed his garments—since the woman, consumed by her passions, grasped him tightly—fled from the scene. Though he escaped unclothed and without protection, he remained untainted by immorality and adorned himself with the honor of purity.

In the beginning, Adam found himself exposed after he disobeyed God's command and committed a serious sin. Consequently, he declared, ‘I heard thy voice in paradise, and was afraid, because I was naked, and hid myself’ (Gen. 3:10). Adam realized his vulnerability as he had forfeited the divine protection that adorned him; he concealed himself because he lost the garment of faith, which he had discarded due to his transgression. It is crucial to note that Adam was indeed naked, despite retaining his physical garment, while Joseph, who was deprived of his robe but not left uncovered, maintained his integrity. Scripture clearly supports this distinction: one was naked, and the other was not.

She grasps his cloak, imploring him and insisting that her desires be granted without delay. Joseph escapes from her grasp, fleeing; his outer garment is left in the possession of the Egyptian woman.

He left his garment in her grasp and fled. In his attempt to evade the wicked deed, Joseph did not concern himself with the possibility of being falsely accused. What a formidable triumph! When faced with two choices — to seem guilty to avoid being so, or to actually be guilty while trying to seem innocent — only a few might dare to decide, yet all must face the necessity of the first option.

The innocent and chaste Joseph endured two great and heavy temptations and overcame them: the temptation of wicked envy on the part of his older brothers and the temptation of lustful passion on the part of the Egyptian seductress. Envy sold him as a slave, and the desire of lust threw him, though innocent, into prison.