Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights how Joseph, after being sold, ends up in Egypt, specifically with Potiphar, who held a significant position as captain of the guard. What's easily missed is that "captain of the guard" literally means "chief of the slaughterers," suggesting Potiphar was in charge of executions and royal security, a role of immense power and dread in ancient times. This detail underscores the dangerous environment Joseph was thrust into, where his life was in the hands of someone accustomed to carrying out deadly commands.
Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After being sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite merchants, Joseph is then resold by these traders to Potiphar, a high-ranking official in Egypt. This transition marks Joseph's entry into Egypt and sets the stage for his future trials and eventual rise to power in a foreign land.
The man who buys Joseph holds a title that sparks debate. What does 'officer' really mean in this ancient context, and why does it matter?
The Hebrew word translated as 'officer' for Potiphar is saris. While it literally can mean 'eunuch,' its usage in the ancient Near East often extended to include high-ranking court officials, regardless of their marital or physical status.
More Than One Meaning
Joseph is sold, stripped of his identity, and cast into a foreign land. How can this devastating turn of events possibly be part of God's plan?
This verse marks a crucial transition: Joseph moves from a life of relative comfort, however troubled by his brothers' hatred, to the harsh reality of slavery in Egypt. Yet, even in this moment of apparent despair, God's hand is at work.
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From Betrayal to Blessing
Understand the original words
midyanim · Hebrew Noun
A nomadic people group descended from Abraham and Keturah, often associated with trade, caravans, and occasionally hostile interactions with Israel. In this context, they function as merchants mediating the transportation of Joseph.
mitsrayim · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the historical kingdom in the Nile valley. In the Bible, it often represents a place of refuge, but frequently serves as a symbol of worldly power, bondage, and opposition to the purposes of God.
par'oh · Hebrew Noun
A royal title or name for the monarchs of ancient Egypt. The term carries connotations of absolute earthly authority, sovereignty, and, at times, arrogance before the living God.
saris · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term often used for high-ranking officials, courtiers, or eunuchs. It implies a person of influence, authority, and proximity to the royal throne.
tabbachim · Hebrew Noun
The military or administrative role tasked with the protection and security of the king. This individual held significant power, authority over the prison systems, and immediate access to the sovereign.
This verse marks a pivotal moment where Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, begins his journey in Egypt under Potiphar. This event, while tragic for Joseph, sets in motion the divine providence that will eventually save his family from famine.
c. 1730 BC
Jacob's Family Grows
Jacob's family, including his twelve sons, is living in Canaan, but internal strife and jealousy begin to emerge, particularly concerning Joseph.
c. 1730 BC
Brothers Sell Joseph
Joseph's jealous brothers plot to kill him, but instead sell him into slavery to Ishmaelite and Midianite traders who are on their way to Egypt.
c. 1730 BC— this verse
Joseph Arrives in Egypt
The Midianite traders bring Joseph to Egypt and sell him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
c. 1730 BC - c. 1710 BC
Joseph in Potiphar's Household
Joseph serves Potiphar and finds favor, eventually being placed in charge of all his master's affairs. This period is marked by Potiphar's wife's false accusations and Joseph's imprisonment.
c. 1710 BC
Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison
While imprisoned, Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, foretelling their fates.
c. 1710 BC
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream
The cupbearer, remembering Joseph, brings him to Pharaoh to interpret a troubling dream about a coming famine, leading to Joseph's rise to power.
This verse directly follows Joseph's sale, showing him arriving in Egypt and being purchased by Potiphar, reinforcing the context of his new life as a slave.
Psalm 105:17This Psalm recounts Joseph's story, specifically mentioning his sale into slavery and his subsequent rise, highlighting God's sovereign hand in the events.
Acts 7:9Stephen's sermon in Acts explicitly references Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, framing it within the larger narrative of Israel's history and God's dealings.
Genesis 45:4-5Later, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and explains that their actions, including selling him, were part of God's plan to preserve them through famine, showing the redemptive arc of this event.
clarkeGenesis 37:36: "And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard."
Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's - The word סריס saris, translated officer, signifies a eunuch; and lest any person should imagine that because this Potiphar had a wife, therefore it is absurd to suppose him to have been a eunuch, let such persons know that it is not uncommon in the east for eunuchs to have wives, nay, some of them have even a harem or seraglio where they…
calvinGenesis 37:1-36: "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan."
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Istae sunt generationes Iahacob. Joseph filius septendecim annorum pascebat cum fratribus suis pecudes, et erat puer cum filiis Bil…
This verse highlights how Joseph, after being sold, ends up in Egypt, specifically with Potiphar, who held a significant position as captain of the guard. What's easily missed is that "captain of the guard" literally means "chief of the slaughterers," suggesting Potiphar was in charge of executions and royal security, a role of immense power and dread in ancient times. This detail underscores the dangerous environment Joseph was thrust into, where his life was in the hands of someone accustomed to carrying out deadly commands.
After being sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite merchants, Joseph is then resold by these traders to Potiphar, a high-ranking official in Egypt. This transition marks Joseph's entry into Egypt and sets the stage for his future trials and eventual rise to power in a foreign land.
After being sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite merchants, Joseph is then resold by these traders to Potiphar, a high-ranking official in Egypt. This transition marks Joseph's entry into Egypt and sets the stage for his future trials and eventual rise to power in a foreign land.
"Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard." — This verse highlights how Joseph, after being sold, ends up in Egypt, specifically with Potiphar, who held a significant position as captain of the guard. What's easily missed is that "captain of the…
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Last reviewed October 2026