Genesis 37:36

The Midianites sold him. On the interchangeable use of the terms “Midianites” and Ishmeelites here and in vs. 25, 27, and 28, see on v. 28.

Unto Potiphar. This name, though long recognized by Egyptologists to be a good Egyptian personal name, was not found until the 1930’s on the monuments, where it appears, in Egyptian, as P’a-di-p’a-Re‘. It means “the one whom [the god] Re‘ has given,” and is comparable to the Hebrew personal names ’Elnathan, “God has given,” and Yonathan, “Jehovah has given.”

An officer of Pharaoh. The Hebrew word translated “officer” is saris, meaning, first of all, “eunuch.” Oriental rulers made use of eunuchs in various important positions, especially as officers in charge of the royal harem. The fact that Potiphar was married has been taken as evidence that the term saris means more than “eunuch” would imply in the strict sense of the word. This may be true, but stands without proof, since even eunuchs may have been married.

Regarding the title “Pharaoh,” see on ch. 12:15.

Captain of the guard. The word translated “guard” is from the Hebrew tabbachim. In the singular it means “butcher” or “cook,” and signifies the one who slaughters, cooks, and serves the food (see 1 Sam. 9:23, 24). Here, in the plural, it refers to executioners. Potiphar, the “captain,” was probably chief of the executioners, or perhaps of the bodyguard of Pharaoh.