Potiphar

From BibleWiki

Meaning: dedicated to Ra; i.e., to the sun-god

The Egyptian officer to whom the Ishmaelites sold Joseph (Gen 37:36, Gen 39:1).

He was a "saris" of Pharaoh, and "captain of the guard". The term "saris" is commonly used in the Old Testament of eunuchs; but occasionally it seems to stand in a more general sense for "court official," and sometimes it designates a military officer (2Kg 25:19; comp. 2Kg 18:17; Jer 39:3, Jer 39:13). The second title, "captain of the guard," is literally "chief of the slaughterers," (Gen 37:36; marg.), and is interpreted by some to mean "chief of the cooks" (comp. 1Sam 9:23f). The former is much the more probable meaning here, and is supported by the closely corresponding title of one of the high military officers of Nebuchadnezzar (2Kg 25:8ff; comp. Dan 2:14). He was likely, therefore, chief of the state police, who, while they formed part of the Egyptian army, were also largely employed in civil duties. Nothing, however, of this office is definitely known from Egyptian sources.

Joseph, though a foreigner, gradually gained his confidence, and became overseer over all his possessions. But, believing the false accusation which his profligate wife brought against Joseph, Potiphar cast him into prison, where he remained for some years.

Potiphar was also priest of On (Heliopolis), and his daughter, Asenath, was later given to Joseph by the Pharaoh. (Gen 41:45, Gen 41:50; Gen 46:20).

Name

The form "Potiphar" is probably an abbreviation of "Potiphera"; the two are treated as identical in the Septuagint, and are rendered Πετρεφῆς or Πετεφῆς. "Poti-phera" is the Hebrew rendering of the Egyptian "P'-di-p'-R'" = "He whom Ra [i.e., the sun-god] gave." This name has not been found in Egyptian inscriptions; but names of similar form occur as early as the twenty-second dynasty.

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