Potiphar's Role in the Joseph Narrative
Potiphar's Role in the Joseph Narrative
Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, played a significant role in the narrative of Joseph, one of the most prominent figures in the book of Genesis. He is first introduced as the captain of the guard who purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites [3]. The term "captain of the guard" is also translated as "chief of the executioners" in some versions, indicating that Potiphar held a position of authority and power in Pharaoh's court [1, 4].
The biblical account describes Potiphar as a man of wealth and influence, who entrusted Joseph with the management of his household. Joseph's integrity, diligence, and wisdom earned Potiphar's trust, and he prospered under Joseph's care [5]. The narrative highlights the blessing of God upon Joseph, which in turn brought prosperity to Potiphar's household [6].
However, Potiphar's trust in Joseph was tested when his wife falsely accused Joseph of attempting to seduce her. Despite Joseph's protestations of innocence, Potiphar believed his wife's accusations and had Joseph imprisoned [1, 4]. The biblical account does not explicitly state Potiphar's motivations for not punishing Joseph more severely, but it is possible that he still had some trust in Joseph's integrity.
The role of Potiphar in the Joseph narrative serves to illustrate several themes. Firstly, it highlights Joseph's integrity and faithfulness in the face of adversity. Secondly, it demonstrates how God can work through the actions of unbelievers to achieve His purposes. Finally, it shows how the blessing of God upon Joseph brought prosperity to those around him, including Potiphar [6].
Some traditions have identified Potiphar with Potipherah, a priest of On, who is mentioned in Genesis 41:50 as the father-in-law of Joseph. Flavius Josephus is one of the earliest sources to make this identification, suggesting that Potiphar and Potipherah were the same person [2]. However, this identification is not universally accepted among scholars.
The character of Potiphar also raises questions about the nature of faith and morality in the ancient world. While Potiphar is not portrayed as a righteous man, his household is blessed because of Joseph's presence. This highlights the complex and often ambiguous nature of human relationships in the biblical narrative.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Potiphar — 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 ye”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 16, section 4: low price.] 4 (return) [ This Potiphar, or, as Josephus, Petephres, who was now a priest of On, or Heliopolis, is the same name in Josephus, and perhaps in Moses also, with him who is before called head cook or captain of the guard, and to whom Joseph was sold. See Genesis 37:36; 39:1, with 41:50. They are also affirmed to be one and the same person in the Testament of Joseph, sect. 18, for he is there said to have married the daughter of his master and mistress. Nor is this a notion peculiar to that Testament, but, as Dr. Berna”
- Genesis “Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there. -- Genesis 39:1”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Potiphar — 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." (Genesis 39:1) comp. Genesis37:36 (B.C. 1728.) He appears to have been a wealthy man. (Genesis 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. (Genesis 39:19,20) After this we hear no more of Potiphar”
- Genesis “Genesis 39:6 (BSB) — So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 16.6: We are also taught what an advantage it is to receive the elect children of God to our hospitality, or to join ourselves to those whom the divine favor thus accompanies, that it may diffuse its fragrance to those who are near them. But since it would not greatly profit us to be saturated with those temporal benefits of God, which suffocate and ruin the reprobate; we ought to center all our wishes on this one point, that God may be propitious to us. Far better was it for Joseph that Potiphar’s wealth should be increased for his sa”