Genesis 39:12

12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me; and he left his garment in her hand and fled and got outside.

Genesis 39:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 39:12

And she caught him by his garment, saying, lie with me
It is very probable that before this time, as soon as ever she began to speak to him, he got away as fast as he could, and would not hear her; wherefore she now laid hold on his garment, in order to detain him, that she might have time to parley with him, and so prevail: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out;
it was his outward loose garment she laid hold on, out of which he slipped himself, and so got clear of her, and ran away, and got out of the house as fast as he could: this he did, because he would not struggle with his mistress for his garment, which no doubt by his strength he could have got from her; and partly lest he should by handling of her have carnal desires excited in him, and so be overcome with her temptation.

Genesis 39:12 In-Context

10 And it came to pass as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not hearken unto her, to lie by her or to be with her.

11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business, and none of those of the house were there within.

12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me; and he left his garment in her hand and fled and got outside.

13 And it came to pass when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled forth,

14 that she called unto those of her house and spoke unto them, saying, See, he has brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice;