Joseph suffered for his integrity, for his tempter revenged herself by accusing him of a foul crime, and causing him to be thrust into prison. Had Potiphar believed his wife's charge against Joseph, the young Hebrew would have lost his life; but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence; and yet, to save the reputation of his master's house, he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage.

Josef måtte lide for sin retskaffenhed; for hans fristerinde hævnede sig ved at beskylde ham for en afskyelig forbrydelse og sørgede for, at han blev kastet i fængsel. Havde Potifar troet på sin hustrus anklage mod Josef, ville den unge hebræer have mistet livet; men den beskedenhed og retskaffenhed, der helt igennem havde præget hans opførsel, var et bevis på hans uskyld; og dog overlod man ham til skam og trældom for at redde hans herres hus rygte.