potiphar Summary and Overview

dedicated to Ra; i.e., to the sun-god, the Egyptian to whom the Ishmaelites sold Joseph (Gen. 39:1). He was "captain of the guard", i.e., chief, probably, of the state police, who, while they formed part of the Egyptian army, were also largely employed in civil duties (37:36; marg., "chief of the executioners"). Joseph, though a foreigner, gradually gained his confidence, and became overseer over all his possessions. Believing the false accusation which his profligate wife brought against Joseph, Potiphar cast him into prison, where he remained for some years. (See JOSEPH T0002113.)

an Egyptian name, also written Potipherah, signifies belonging to the sun. Potiphar. with whom the history of Joseph is connected is described as an officer of Pharaoh chief of the executioners, an Egyptian." #Ge 39:1| comp. Gene 37:36 (B.C. 1728.) He appears to have been a wealthy man. #Ge 39:4-6| The view we have of Potiphar's household is exactly in accordance with the representations on the monuments. When Joseph was accused, his master contented himself with casting him into prison. #Ge 39:19,20| After this we hear no more of Potiphar. [JOSEPH]

POT'IPHAR (belonging to the sun), a distinguished officer in Pharaoh's court, who elevated Joseph to a place of trust and committed to him the charge of the household. Gen 37:36.

From Egyptian Pa-ti, "the given" or devoted to Par or Phar, the (royal) house or palace. "An officer (chamberlain) of Pharaoh, chief of the executioners," i.e. captain of the bodyguard (KJV), who executed the king's sentences (Genesis 37:36; Genesis 39:1; 2 Kings 25:8; Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 52:12). The prison in which he confined Joseph was an apartment arched, vaulted, and rounded (ha-sohar) for strength (called a "dungeon," Genesis 40:15), in the house of the chief of the executioners (Genesis 40:3). Joseph's feet at first "they afflicted with fetters, the iron entered into has soul" (Psalm 105:17-18); but Jehovah gave him favor in the sight of "the keeper of the prison," probably distinct from Potiphar. There seems little ground for thinking that Potiphar was succeeded by another "chief of the executioners," "the keeper of the prison" was entrusted by Potiphar with Joseph. Potiphar scarcely believed his lustful wife's story, or he would have killed Joseph at once; but instead he put him in severe imprisonment at first, then with Potiphar's connivance the prison keeper put the same confidence in Joseph as Potiphar himself had put in him when he was free. Egyptian monuments, in harmony with Scripture, represent rich men's stewards, as Joseph, carefully registering all the produce of the garden and field, and storing it up. (See JOSEPH.)