Genesis 39:1 kjv

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither.

Genesis 39:1 nkjv

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

Genesis 39:1 niv

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

Genesis 39:1 esv

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.

Genesis 39:1 nlt

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

Genesis 39 verses

Genesis 39 1 Meaning

Genesis 39:1 describes Joseph's forced relocation to Egypt, establishing the foundational circumstances for the next stage of his life narrative. Having been sold by his brothers, he arrives as property in a foreign land, specifically purchased by Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official. This verse highlights Joseph's complete loss of control over his destiny and sets the stage for God's sovereign work through dire circumstances in a pagan land, demonstrating how human wickedness can be redirected for divine purposes.

Genesis 39 1 Context

Genesis 39:1 immediately follows Joseph's betrayal and sale into slavery by his own brothers, detailed in Genesis 37. Chapter 38 serves as an interlude, focusing on Judah's lineage and character. Thus, chapter 39 resumes the direct narrative of Joseph, depicting his arrival and new reality in Egypt. The historical context reveals Egypt as a dominant world power in the ancient Near East, renowned for its highly structured society, advanced civilization, and deeply ingrained polytheistic religion. For the original Israelite audience, hearing about Joseph's arrival in Egypt would immediately signal a significant period of testing and an extreme vulnerability, as their forefather was now a slave in a land steeped in idolatry and foreign customs, a land they would later experience as oppressive captors themselves. This verse begins to set the stage for Israel's eventual descent into Egypt and subsequent deliverance, framing Joseph's personal story as a foundational precursor to their national identity and redemption narrative.

Genesis 39 1 Word analysis

• Now Joseph: (וְיוֹסֵף - V'yosef) The Hebrew וְ (vav) "and/now" acts as a continuation or connector, indicating a seamless progression from previous events (Joseph's sale) into this new chapter. It highlights the direct consequence of his brothers' actions.
• had been brought down: (הוּרַד - hurad) This is a passive verb (Hophal stem of ירד, yarad - "to go down"). It emphasizes Joseph's lack of agency and control; he was forcibly taken, a victim of circumstances beyond his power. This highlights his helpless position as a slave.
• to Egypt: (מִצְרָיְמָה - Mitzraymah) Signifies the geographical destination. Egypt, a land of sophisticated polytheism, economic power, and, significantly, a place where Abraham had once sojourned due to famine (Gen 12) and where Israel would eventually dwell and be enslaved.
• and Potiphar: (וּפוֹטִיפַר - uPhotiphar) The personal name of an Egyptian official. Its meaning likely relates to "He whom Ra (the sun god) has given."
• an officer of Pharaoh: (סָרִיס פַּרְעֹה - saris Par'oh) The word סָרִיס (saris) literally means "eunuch," a common practice for high officials in royal courts due to their perceived loyalty and lack of dynastic ambitions. However, in this context, it often simply denotes a trusted, high-ranking royal "official" or "courtier," not necessarily physical castration. "Pharaoh" is the generic title for the king of Egypt. This denotes Potiphar's direct connection to the highest human authority in Egypt.
• captain of the guard: (שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים - sar ha-ṭabbāḥim) Literally, "chief of the slaughterers" or "chief of the butchers/cooks." This title refers to the chief of the royal executioners, bodyguards, and potentially those responsible for the royal prisons (as seen later in 39:20). It signifies a position of immense power, authority, and close proximity to the Pharaoh.
• an Egyptian: (אִישׁ מִצְרִי - ish Mitzri) Emphasizes Potiphar's national and cultural identity, clearly distinguishing him from Joseph (a Hebrew from Canaan). This highlights Joseph's total immersion in a foreign and idolatrous culture.
• had bought him: (וַיִּקְנֵהוּ - vayyik'nēhu) The verb "bought" reinforces Joseph's status as chattel, a purchased commodity. It underscores the severity of his enslavement.
• from the Ishmaelites: (מִיַּד הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִים - miyyad ha-Yishma'elim) "From the hand of" specifies the direct source of the purchase. The Ishmaelites were descendants of Ishmael (Abraham's son by Hagar), known as nomadic traders, affirming the historicity of ancient trade routes for slaves and goods between Canaan and Egypt. This also highlights the direct connection to the previous chapter where they are the ones who took Joseph.
• who had brought him down there: This phrase reaffirms the continuity and consequence of Joseph's journey, from his brothers' treachery to the hands of traders, and finally, into servitude in Egypt.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt": This phrase succinctly captures the forced transition in Joseph's life. The passive voice ("had been brought down") underscores his utter lack of control over his destiny, emphasizing divine allowance rather than human choice. Egypt, as the destination, sets the geographical and cultural stage for Joseph's spiritual journey and testing ground.
• "and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian": This detailed description establishes Potiphar's identity and powerful status. The specific titles ("officer of Pharaoh," "captain of the guard") signify his close proximity to royal power and his control over a significant sector of the Egyptian establishment, including potentially its prisons. This makes Joseph's new master a man of considerable influence and means. His identity as "an Egyptian" reinforces the stark cultural and religious chasm between Joseph, a follower of Yahweh, and his pagan captors.
• "had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there": This clause completes the transaction, explicitly stating Joseph's legal ownership. The reiteration of the Ishmaelites' role confirms the continuation of the tragic narrative from Gen 37 and underscores the commercial aspect of human trafficking. It also reminds the reader that this "descent" was a commercial delivery rather than a self-willed journey, marking a complete surrender of his former identity and freedom.

Genesis 39 1 Bonus section

• The detail of Potiphar's title ("captain of the guard" / chief executioner) is significant beyond his household management, as this would likely be the very official in charge of the royal prison. This detail prepares the reader for Joseph's later unjust imprisonment, which falls directly under Potiphar's jurisdiction. This subtle connection illustrates the forethought in the biblical narrative.
• The fact that Joseph was sold by "Ishmaelites" and then "Midianites" are also mentioned as buyers (Gen 37:28, 36) suggests a mixed caravan, or the terms being used interchangeably by the text for desert traders, demonstrating how historical reality is interwoven with the narrative. This trade route was well-established, validating the account within its ancient Near Eastern setting.
• Joseph's journey from Canaan to Egypt for twenty shekels (Gen 37:28) also establishes a pattern later echoed in the sale of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matt 26:15), drawing a faint but meaningful thematic parallel of an innocent one being sold by their own people into an unjust fate, all for a redemptive purpose.

Genesis 39 1 Commentary

Genesis 39:1 is a pivotal verse, marking the lowest point of Joseph's outward circumstances yet simultaneously initiating God's unseen work. His "descent" (hurad) into Egypt is not merely physical; it signifies a plunge into servanthood in a foreign, pagan land. Potiphar's high rank—as a trusted official of Pharaoh and head of the royal guard—places Joseph in an unexpected position within the heart of Egyptian power. This immediate proximity to the elite indicates that while his circumstances are dire, God has providentially positioned him.

The meticulous detail about Potiphar and the Ishmaelites underscores the deliberate progression of God's plan through human actions and failures. Though Joseph is bought as mere property, the narrative subtly shifts focus from human cruelty to divine choreography. This verse serves as a crucial setup: God brings Joseph, stripped of status and freedom, directly into Pharaoh's household, a position where, many years later, he will exert influence over the very nation that now enslaves him. It teaches that God is sovereign even in the darkest valleys, transforming the "going down" into the very pathway for eventual "going up." This moment, seemingly one of despair, is an initial, vital step toward preserving the chosen family and, ultimately, preparing the way for Israel's growth and later exodus from Egypt, all orchestrated by the hidden hand of God.