Genesis 39:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When her husband arrived, she deceitfully recounted everything, accusing the young man by saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came to me to dishonor me.” How miserable and wretched! It was not he who sought to bring shame upon you; rather, it was the devil who misled you, leading you to become not only an adulteress but also, if needed, to commit murder. To support her claims, she displayed the young man's garments.

Mr. Joseph arrived and heard the words of his wife, while the witnesses corroborated her account. He also observed Joseph's garment, which clearly implicated him. She presented Joseph's robe to her husband, expressing her grievance and stating, “Look, you have brought a Hebrew servant to confront me and to dishonor me, your wife; are you not aware, my lord, that I am virtuous, and that is why I have revealed this to you?”

The clothing she claimed had been violated was, in fact, a testament to the aggression, although the harm was not done to her but rather by her to the young man who had abandoned the garment. He did so in an attempt to flee from the punishment of sin.

She retained this garment until the return of Pentephrius. At another moment, this garment serves as a silent, hearsay accuser against Joseph. (Gen. 37:32)