Potiphar's Wife Biblical Character Analysis
Potiphar's wife, though unnamed in the biblical narrative, plays a pivotal role in the story of Joseph, initiating a series of events that lead to Joseph's imprisonment and eventual rise to power in Egypt [2, 8]. She is introduced in Genesis 39 as the wife of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh described as the "chief of the executioners" or "captain of the guard" [2, 3]. Potiphar was a wealthy Egyptian who purchased Joseph as a slave from the Ishmaelites [2, 9].
The biblical account in Genesis 39 details how Joseph, after being sold into slavery, found favor in Potiphar's household and was entrusted with the management of all his master's possessions [2, 8]. Joseph is described as "handsome in form and feature" [8]. Potiphar's wife "cast her eyes upon Joseph" and repeatedly attempted to seduce him, urging him to "lie with me" [6, 8]. Joseph consistently refused her advances, citing his loyalty to Potiphar and his fear of sinning against God [8]. He emphasized the trust his master had placed in him, stating that Potiphar had withheld nothing from him except his wife [8].
When Joseph continued to resist, Potiphar's wife escalated her efforts. One day, when Joseph was alone in the house, she seized him by his garment, reiterating her demand [Genesis 39:11-12]. Joseph fled, leaving his garment in her hand [Genesis 39:12]. In response, she falsely accused Joseph of attempting to rape her, presenting his garment as evidence [7, Genesis 39:13-18]. She called out to her household servants, claiming that Potiphar had brought a "Hebrew" into their house to "mock us" [13, Genesis 39:14]. When Potiphar returned home, she repeated her accusation, leading him to imprison Joseph [3, 7, Genesis 39:19-20].
Jewish tradition, as seen in the Midrash Rabbah, interprets this episode in connection with Proverbs 7:7, identifying Joseph as the "lad devoid of understanding" who speaks slander about his brothers, suggesting that his subsequent trials, including this encounter, were part of a divine plan leading to Israel's descent into Egypt [6]. The Midrash also discusses the nature of the "rod of wickedness" (Psalms 125:3), suggesting that the evil inclination finds no satisfaction with the righteous [10].
Some commentators note that Egyptian women, unlike those in many other ancient Oriental cultures, enjoyed considerable freedom, which would have provided Potiphar's wife with ample opportunity to interact with Joseph [7]. Historical sources suggest that "intrigues and intemperance were vices very prevalent" among ancient Egyptian women, indicating that Potiphar's wife's actions might not have been exceptional for her time and culture [7]. Josephus identifies Potiphar with Petephres, a priest of On, and notes that the sorrow Potiphar's wife displayed was for her lust being disappointed, rather than for an actual assault [1, 5].
Despite the false accusation and imprisonment, the narrative emphasizes that "the Lord was with Joseph" even in prison, prospering his work and distinguishing him in the eyes of others [10, Genesis 39:21]. Potiphar's decision to imprison Joseph rather than execute him, despite the severity of the alleged crime, has been interpreted by some as a sign that he may have harbored doubts about his wife's story [3]. The name Potiphar itself is Egyptian, meaning "dedicated to Ra" or "belonging to the sun" [2, 3]. Potiphar is distinct from Potipherah, whose daughter Asenath later became Joseph's wife [4].
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Potipherah — A priest of On, whose daughter Asenath became Joseph's wife (Gen. 41:45).”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 4, section 4: that the sorrow, which was really for her being disappointed of her lust, might appear to be for the attempt upon her chastity; so that when her husband came home, and was disturbed at the sight of her and inquired what was the cause of the disorder she was in, she began to accuse Joseph: and, "O husband," said she, "mayst thou not live a day longer if thou dost not punish the wicked slave who has desired to defile thy bed; who has neither minded who he was when he came to our house, so as to behave himself with modesty; nor has ”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 87:1: “It was after these matters that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and she said: Lie with me” (Genesis 39:7). “It was after these matters.” “I saw among the naïve [ bapetayim ]” (Proverbs 7:7) – these are the tribes. Rabbi Levi said: In Arabia, they call children patya . “Discerned among the youths a lad” (Proverbs 7:7) – this is Joseph. He was “devoid of understanding” (Proverbs 7:7), as he would speak slander about his brothers. Is there anyone more devoid of understanding? From that, their descent to Egypt developed. “And behold, there is a w”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 39:7: his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph--Egyptian women were not kept in the same secluded manner as females are in most Oriental countries now. They were treated in a manner more worthy of a civilized people--in fact, enjoyed much freedom both at home and abroad. Hence Potiphar's wife had constant opportunity of meeting Joseph. But the ancient women of Egypt were very loose in their morals. Intrigues and intemperance were vices very prevalent among them, as the monuments too plainly attest [WILKINSON]. Potiphar's wife was probably not worse than ”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 39:6: Joseph was handsome in form and feature; and Potiphar's wife set her eyes upon the handsome young man, and tried to persuade him to lie with her. But Joseph resisted the adulterous proposal, referring to the unlimited confidence which his master had placed in him. He (Potiphar) was not greater in that house than he, and had given everything over to him except her, because she was his wife. "How could he so abuse this confidence, as to do this great wickedness and sin against God!"”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 86:1: “Joseph was taken down to Egypt and Potiphar, the official of Pharaoh, the chief executioner, an Egyptian man, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there” (Genesis 39:1). “Joseph was taken down to Egypt.” It is written: “With ropes of man I drew them, [with bonds of love; I was for them like those who lift the yoke above their jaws, and I leaned to them to provide food]” (Hosea 11:4) – these are Israel, [as it is stated]: “Draw me; after you I will run” (Song of Songs 1:4). “With bonds of love” (Hosea 11:4) – as it is written: “I love”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 87:2: “It was after these matters.” It is written: “Indeed, the rod of wickedness will not rest [ lo yanuaḥ ]…” (Psalms 125:3) – Rabbi Abba bar Kahana and Rabbi Yitzḥak, Rabbi Abba said: He gets no satisfaction [ neyaḥa ] in the company of the righteous, but only in the company of the wicked. 3 The wicked do not get satisfaction from being with the righteous ( Yefeh To’ar ). Alternatively, the evil inclination does not get satisfaction from being with the righteous ( Etz Yosef ). Why? “Because the righteous will not [set their hands to wrongdoing]” (Psalms 125:”