Genesis 39:16 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 39:16 kjv
And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
Genesis 39:16 nkjv
So she kept his garment with her until his master came home.
Genesis 39:16 niv
She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home.
Genesis 39:16 esv
Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,
Genesis 39:16 nlt
She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home.
Genesis 39 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 37:33 | "...It is Joseph’s tunic; a wild beast has devoured him..." | Garment used for deception against a father. |
| Gen 39:12 | "...left his garment in her hand, and fled and got out." | Immediate precursor: Joseph fleeing the temptation. |
| Gen 39:17 | "...Your servant, the Hebrew, came to me to make sport of me." | Her immediate false accusation based on the garment. |
| Exod 20:16 | "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." | Commandment violated by her actions. |
| Deut 5:20 | "Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor." | Reiterated command against false witness. |
| Prov 19:5 | "A false witness will not go unpunished..." | Divine judgment against those who bear false witness. |
| Prov 25:18 | "A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club..." | Harmful nature of false accusation. |
| Ps 35:11 | "Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know." | Description of false accusers against the righteous. |
| Ps 37:32-33 | "The wicked watches for the righteous...The Lord will not abandon him..." | God's protection for the slandered righteous. |
| Ps 105:18 | "They bruised his feet with fetters; he was put in irons..." | Joseph's immediate suffering in response to the lie. |
| Isa 53:7 | "...like a lamb that is led to the slaughter...he opened not his mouth." | Joseph's silent suffering prefiguring Christ. |
| Matt 26:59 | "Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus..." | False accusations against Christ. |
| Matt 27:28-29 | "...they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him..." | Garment used in Jesus's humiliation. |
| Acts 6:13 | "...produced false witnesses who said, 'This man never ceases to speak..." | False accusation against Stephen. |
| Acts 24:1 | "...Ananias...brought charges against him to the governor." | Paul facing false accusations. |
| 1 Pet 2:19 | "For this is a gracious thing, when, conscious of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly." | Enduring unjust suffering for God's sake. |
| 1 Pet 4:14 | "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed..." | Blessing on those persecuted falsely for righteousness. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." | God's overarching purpose in Joseph's trials. |
| Zech 3:3-4 | "Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments... 'Remove the filthy garments from him.'" | Symbolic cleansing, contrast to false guilt's stain. |
| 2 Sam 1:10 | "...I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet..." | Taking and presenting an item as evidence. |
Genesis 39 verses
Genesis 39 16 meaning
This verse describes Potiphar's wife's deliberate act of keeping Joseph's torn garment beside her, patiently waiting for her husband's return to present it as fabricated evidence. It signifies her cunning, malicious intent, and premeditated preparation to falsely accuse Joseph of attempted assault. This action sets the stage for Joseph's immediate imprisonment and serves as a crucial point in the narrative of his suffering for righteousness.
Genesis 39 16 Context
Genesis 39 narrates Joseph's ascent and trials in Potiphar's house. After being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph prospers under Potiphar's roof because the Lord is with him. Potiphar entrusts Joseph with managing his entire household. This prosperity is then tested by the persistent sexual advances of Potiphar's wife. Joseph repeatedly refuses her, honoring God and his master. On the climactic day, when no one else is in the house, she seizes him by his garment. Joseph flees, leaving his garment behind in her hand (Gen 39:12). Verse 16 immediately follows this event, detailing her cold, calculated next move, showing her determination to ensure Joseph's ruin and protect her own reputation. Historically, ancient Egyptian society, while often strict, allowed for slaves to achieve positions of authority; however, they were entirely at their master's mercy, making false accusations by powerful individuals particularly dangerous. A master's word could often be final without much inquiry, especially concerning a slave.
Genesis 39 16 Word analysis
- And she laid up: The Hebrew is wattaśim (וַתָּ֧שֶׂם), from the root שׂוּם (śûm), meaning "to put," "place," or "set." The hiphil conjugation used here suggests a deliberate, intentional, and completed action. This was not accidental; she meticulously and patiently set aside the garment, ensuring its availability as incriminating evidence. This indicates premeditation and a cunning, cold calculation rather than an impulsive act.
- his garment: The Hebrew term is bigdô (בִּגְדּוֹ), referring to a piece of clothing or covering. In ancient Near Eastern culture, garments were often highly personal and could serve as potent visual symbols or pieces of evidence. This specific garment was a physical token of Joseph's flight and, for her, the irrefutable "proof" of his "attempted assault." It was a material witness in a legal-social context where her word as a free, noblewoman would hold immense weight against a slave's.
- by her: The Hebrew is ’eṣlāh (אֶצְלָהּ), meaning "beside her," "at her side," or "with her." This phrase emphasizes that she retained possession and close proximity to the garment. It suggests her personal control over the evidence and her readiness to produce it at the opportune moment, reinforcing her deliberate scheme.
- until his lord came home: The Hebrew ‘ad-bô’ (עַד־בֹּוא) means "until the coming" or "until his return," where bô’ (בּוֹא) means "to come/enter." This denotes a waiting period, showcasing her patience and determination to execute her malicious plan. The phrase ’adōnāyw (אֲדֹנָיו) refers to Potiphar, Joseph's master. This signifies her deferral to his authority, waiting for the one person whose judgment would be decisive in this domestic court. It highlights the structured, hierarchical nature of ancient Egyptian households and legal proceedings where a master held life-or-death power over his slaves.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- And she laid up his garment by her: This phrase underscores her calculated malice. It demonstrates a premeditated act to solidify a false narrative. Unlike an impulsive act of rage, her storing the garment indicates a cool, rational evil aimed at total destruction of Joseph's reputation and liberty.
- until his lord came home: This phrase completes the picture of her wicked intention. It signifies that her actions were not a spur-of-the-moment reaction, but part of a well-devised strategy to condemn Joseph effectively when his ultimate authority (Potiphar) would return and could act. Her patience in waiting for her husband is chilling.
Genesis 39 16 Bonus section
- The garment functions as a "silent witness" to both Potiphar's wife's deceit and Joseph's escape from sin. Ironically, what was proof of Joseph's fleeing sin became "proof" of his supposed guilt. This stands in stark contrast to God, who sees beyond the visible evidence to the true motives of the heart (1 Sam 16:7).
- The incident highlights the dangers of power imbalances and the vulnerability of the marginalized. Joseph, as a slave, had virtually no recourse against the accusation of his master's wife, a woman of significant social standing. This shows the need for justice systems that protect the innocent, regardless of their social status.
- The false accusation leads directly to Joseph's imprisonment, but this is another step in God's sovereign plan. Joseph's suffering is not for his wrongdoing but for his righteousness, a theme that echoes throughout scripture regarding God's servants. God allowed this adversity for a greater purpose, refining Joseph and preparing him for future leadership and the salvation of his family (Gen 50:20).
Genesis 39 16 Commentary
Genesis 39:16 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Potiphar's wife's deliberate and cold-hearted scheme to frame Joseph. Having been rejected and frustrated by Joseph's unwavering moral integrity and loyalty to God, she manipulates the situation using the abandoned garment as tangible "proof." The act of "laying up" the garment highlights her calculated malicious intent; this was not an impulsive accusation but a carefully staged event designed to achieve maximum impact. In ancient Near Eastern judicial systems, visual evidence and the word of a freewoman often carried significant weight, particularly against a foreign slave. Her patient wait for Potiphar's return signifies her understanding of household authority and her cunning desire for official sanction for her false accusation. This verse is a testament to the power of false witness, yet also silently reinforces Joseph's unwavering righteousness, as the only evidence against him is a fabric—a silent witness to her lie and his flight from sin, which eventually sets in motion the divine plan for Joseph to be elevated in Egypt.