Potiphar

Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, becomes Joseph’s master after buying him from the Ishmaelites. He entrusts Joseph with his household, but when his wife accuses Joseph, Potiphar has him placed in the prison where the king’s prisoners are held.

Identity and Acquisition of Joseph

Potiphar is identified as an Egyptian and an officer of Pharaoh who holds the position of captain of the guard. After Joseph is brought down to Egypt by the Ishmaelites, Potiphar buys him from them, making Joseph a servant in his household.

Joseph in Potiphar’s Household

The narrative attributes Joseph’s success to the LORD’s presence with him: Potiphar sees that Joseph prospers in his work and grants him favor. He appoints Joseph overseer of the household and puts everything he owns in Joseph’s care.

The household prospers under Joseph’s administration, and Potiphar leaves all his affairs in Joseph’s hands, attending only to the food he eats. The account thus presents Potiphar’s trust as substantial: Joseph is not merely assigned a task but given responsibility for the household and its property.

Accusation and Imprisonment

Potiphar’s wife repeatedly presses Joseph to lie with her, but Joseph refuses, citing his master’s trust and the wrong he would commit against God. When she seizes his garment and he flees, she uses the garment to support a false accusation that Joseph had approached her.

When Potiphar hears his wife’s account, he becomes angry and puts Joseph in the prison where the king’s prisoners are held. The text does not describe a hearing or give Potiphar’s further judgment; it records the imprisonment as the consequence of the accusation.

Narrative Role

Potiphar’s household forms the first stage of Joseph’s Egyptian rise and reversal: Joseph moves from purchase as a servant to authority over the household, then from that position into prison. Potiphar’s confidence gives way to punishment after his wife’s charge, while Joseph’s pattern of prospering under another person’s authority continues in prison, where the keeper entrusts him with responsibility.