Genesis 37:36
What is Genesis 37:36 about? Read the meaning and summary with full commentary explained, historical context, verse insights, word analysis, and cross-references.
Genesis chapter 37 - Joseph’s Dreams And The Great Betrayal
Genesis 37 articulates the beginning of Joseph’s saga, where divine dreams of leadership trigger a murderous conspiracy among his siblings. It documents the pivotal transition of the covenant family from the land of Canaan toward the strategic providence of Egypt. This chapter reveals how human jealousy is used as a vehicle for God's sovereign plan to save the nation.
Genesis 37:36
ESV: Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.
KJV: And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
NIV: Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.
NKJV: Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
NLT: Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard.
Meaning
Genesis 37:36 details the fate of Joseph following his abandonment by his brothers. It concisely reveals his purchase by Potiphar, a prominent Egyptian official, marking a crucial turning point in Joseph’s life and in God's redemptive plan for His people. This verse signifies Joseph’s transition from a free, favored son in Canaan to an enslaved foreigner in Egypt, laying the groundwork for his future trials, divine elevation, and instrumental role in preserving the lineage of Abraham and the emerging nation of Israel.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 37:27-28 | "...come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites... So when the Midianite... traders passed by... sold Joseph for twenty shekels..." | His brothers sold him. |
| Gen 39:1 | "Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh... had bought him from the Ishmaelites..." | Confirms the sale to Potiphar in Egypt. |
| Gen 45:5 | "...do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." | God's providential hand in his sale. |
| Gen 45:7-8 | "God sent me ahead of you to preserve you... So it was not you who sent me here, but God." | God's ultimate purpose for his suffering. |
| Gen 50:20 | "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." | Divine purpose overriding human evil. |
| Ps 105:16-19 | "...he sent a man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet... until the time came for his word to be fulfilled..." | Highlights God's pre-planned path for Joseph. |
| Acts 7:9-10 | "Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him..." | New Testament affirms Joseph's selling by envy, but God's presence. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." | God's sovereignty over all circumstances. |
| Exo 1:8-14 | The later enslavement of Israelites in Egypt. | Joseph's sale foreshadows Israel's servitude. |
| Deut 15:15 | "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt..." | Commandment related to former slavery. |
| Is 49:7 | "This is what the Lord says... to him who was despised and abhorred... Kings will see and rise up..." | God exalts the despised; applicable to Joseph's trajectory. |
| Php 2:7 | "...made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant..." | Christ's example of humble servanthood. |
| Heb 2:14-18 | Christ's sharing in human suffering and temptation. | Resonates with Joseph's suffering. |
| Ps 113:7-8 | "He raises the poor from the dust... He seats them with princes..." | Divine pattern of elevation. |
| 1 Sam 2:7 | "The Lord sends poverty and wealth... He humbles and he exalts." | God's power over human status. |
| Dan 2:48 | Daniel's elevation to ruler over Babylon. | Similar elevation from servitude/exile. |
| Neh 9:11 | "You divided the sea before them... cast their oppressors into the depths..." | Recalls God's power in leading Israel out of Egypt. |
| Gen 12:2-3 | God's promise to Abraham regarding a great nation and blessings. | Joseph's role as foundational to the Abrahamic covenant fulfillment. |
| Matt 2:13-15 | Jesus's family flees to Egypt for safety. | Egypt as a place of refuge and divine instruction. |
| Matt 27:3-9 | Judas’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver. | Echoes the selling of Joseph for silver. |
| Rev 1:5 | "...Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness... firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." | Ultimate example of one humbled, then exalted ruler. |
| Gen 39:2-3 | "The Lord was with Joseph... The Lord made all that he did prosper..." | God's presence and blessing on Joseph even in slavery. |
Context
Genesis 37 narrates the beginnings of Joseph’s saga. Immediately prior to verse 36, Joseph's envious brothers plot to kill him, but Reuben intervenes. Instead, they sell him into slavery, and then deceptively lead their father Jacob to believe Joseph has been devoured by a wild animal. Verse 36 shifts the narrative's focus from the brothers' actions in Canaan to Joseph's arrival and new circumstances in Egypt. Historically and culturally, this reflects the active slave trade routes between Canaan and Egypt. Egypt, as a major power with advanced administrative structures, employed a significant number of officials. Potiphar's specific title highlights the specialized roles within Pharaoh's highly structured court, involving internal security, legal enforcement, and oversight of various royal domains. This context is crucial for understanding how Joseph, a Hebrew slave, could eventually rise within such a system.
Word analysis
- Meanwhile (וְהַמְּדָנִים - vəhammədānîm): This Hebrew particle vav ("and," "but," or "now") connected with the definite article, along with "the Midianites," signals a transition and continuation of the story, focusing on the agency of those who directly facilitated Joseph’s arrival in Egypt. It serves as a narrative bridge.
- the Midianites (הַמְּדָנִים - hammədānîm): This term presents a point of scholarly discussion in conjunction with Gen 37:28 which mentions "Ishmaelites." Various interpretations exist:
- Interchangeable terms: Midianites and Ishmaelites were related nomadic groups involved in trade, often used loosely in a regional context.
- Separate roles: The Midianites drew Joseph out of the pit, while the Ishmaelites then purchased him from the Midianites and transported him to Egypt. In this view, verse 36 highlights the Midianites' primary role in the "sale" out of the pit and perhaps their connection to the ultimate sale in Egypt.
- Caravan network: They might have been different groups or tribes operating within the same trading caravan network.
- Source criticism: Some theories propose different literary sources contributing to the narrative, leading to a blending of terminology. Regardless, the Midianites are the direct conduit bringing Joseph to Egypt.
- had sold (מָכְרוּ - māḵrū): The Hebrew verb is in the Qal perfect tense, indicating a completed action. The use of "had sold" (pluperfect) accurately conveys that this transaction occurred prior to the knowledge of Jacob and before the main events unfolding in Egypt began for Joseph. It signifies finality in this stage of Joseph's journey.
- Joseph (יוֹסֵף - Yôśēp̄): The primary subject. His name means "He adds" or "May he add," prophetically hinting at his later role in adding to his family's welfare and prominence. His journey underscores the motif of divine election and providence in a single life.
- in Egypt (מִצְרָיְמָה - miṣrāyəmāh): The accusative ending -mah (motion towards) emphasizes his arrival in the land of Egypt. This nation is pivotal in Israelite history, representing both bondage and sustenance. For Joseph, Egypt becomes the crucible of his character and the arena for his divine purpose.
- to Potiphar (פּוֹטִיפַר - Pōṭîp̄ar): First appearance of this significant character. His name is of Egyptian origin, likely meaning "he whom Re has given" or "dedicated to Ra," reflecting the pervasive influence of Egyptian sun-god worship. Potiphar's decision to purchase Joseph initiates the next phase of Joseph's life.
- an officer of Pharaoh (סְרִיס פַּרְעֹה - sərîs Parʿōh): The Hebrew term saris (סָרִיס) often refers to a "eunuch" but in many biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, it broadened to signify any high court official or chamberlain, especially one trusted by the monarch, regardless of physical castration. This usage here indicates Potiphar's high social standing and his direct service to the Pharaoh. He represents a figure of significant authority within the royal household.
- —the captain of the guard (שַׂר הַטַּבָּחִים - sar haṭṭabbāḥîm): This is Potiphar’s specific official title. Sar (שַׂר) means "chief" or "captain," and haṭṭabbāḥîm (הַטַּבָּחִים) literally means "of the slaughterers" or "chief of the executioners." This title refers to the head of Pharaoh's royal bodyguards or the state police, who also would have overseen the royal prison (later Gen 39:20; 40:3-4). This was a position of immense power, responsible for security and the administration of justice (including capital punishment). Being owned by such a powerful figure positions Joseph strategically for future developments, particularly regarding his later imprisonment.
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The 'coat of many colors' was more likely a Ketonet Passim, meaning a long-sleeved tunic, which signaled that Joseph was exempt from manual labor and designated as the heir. The 'Word Secret' is Dothan, meaning 'two wells,' which is ironically where Joseph was cast into a dry pit, symbolizing the spiritual emptiness of his brothers' hearts. Discover the riches with genesis 37 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
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