Bible Dictionaries
Potiphar
Holman Bible Dictionary
(paht' ih fahr) Personal name meaning, “belonging to the sun.” Egyptian captain of the guard who purchased Joseph from the Midianite traders (Genesis 37:36; Genesis 39:1 ). He saw great potential in Joseph's abilities and appointed him as steward over his household. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused her advances. Because of this rejection, she told her husband that Joseph tried to rape her. Potiphar had Joseph thrown in prison.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Potiphar'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/p/potiphar.html. 1991.