t12papocrypha
Testament of Joseph 5
Potiphar's wife escalates her pursuit of Joseph, threatening to murder her husband so she might take Joseph as a lawful spouse. Joseph tears his garment in horror — a physical sign of refusal and covenant integrity — and warns her that Jehovah sees what she intends, threatening to expose her plot publicly. The threat alone restrains her, and she withdraws, attempting to soften him with gifts and pleasures. The episode shows Joseph holding the line of righteousness not through comfort but through the fear of God alone, which is the posture of one prepared for the Holy Order.
1
And again at another time she said unto me, If thou wilt not commit adultery, I will kill my husband, and so will I lawfully take thee to be my husband.
2
I therefore, when I heard this, rent my garment, and said, Woman, reverence the Lord, and do not this evil deed, lest thou be utterly destroyed; for I will declare thy ungodly thought unto all men.
3
She therefore, being afraid, besought that I would declare to no one her wickedness.
4
And she departed, soothing me with gifts, and sending to me every delight of the sons of men.
