Genesis 39:12

12 She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, "Sleep with me!" He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house.

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 She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her.
11 On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there.
12 She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, "Sleep with me!" He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house.
13 When she realized that he had left his coat in her hand and run outside,
14 she called to her house servants: "Look - this Hebrew shows up and before you know it he's trying to seduce us. He tried to make love to me but I yelled as loud as I could.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.