Genesis 37:36

KJV

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Midianites {H4092} sold {H4376} him into Egypt {H4714} unto Potiphar {H6318}, an officer {H5631} of Pharaoh's {H6547}, and captain {H8269} of the guard {H2876}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In Egypt the Midyanim sold Yosef to Potifar, one of Pharaoh's officials, a captain of the guard.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

American Standard Version

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 37:36 marks a profound turning point in Joseph's life, detailing his sale by the Midianites into Egypt to Potiphar, a high-ranking officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard. This seemingly tragic and unjust act of human trafficking, born of profound familial jealousy, was, in fact, a divinely orchestrated step in God's sovereign plan. It strategically positioned Joseph for future leadership and the eventual preservation of his family and countless others from a devastating famine, initiating a crucial period of testing, preparation, and spiritual growth under divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate culmination of a dramatic narrative arc initiated by Joseph's brothers' intense jealousy and hatred. Following Joseph's prophetic dreams and Jacob's favoritism, his brothers conspire against him, first intending to kill him, then casting him into a pit. The narrative in [Genesis 37:25-28](/genesis/37-25-28 "Joseph sold into slavery") describes his sale by his brothers to a caravan of Ishmaelites/Midianites. Verse 36 then closes this initial segment of Joseph's journey, explicitly stating the final transaction of his sale into Egypt. It directly precedes the account of Joseph's service in Potiphar's house in [Genesis 39](/genesis/39 "Joseph in Potiphar's House and Prison"), setting the stage for his subsequent trials and eventual rise to power. The mention of the Midianites here, following the Ishmaelites, emphasizes the fluidity of tribal designations among nomadic traders in the ancient Near East, both groups being descendants of Abraham who engaged in similar commercial activities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, particularly during the patriarchal period, was characterized by extensive trade routes connecting Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt. Caravans of merchants, often dealing in commodities like spices, balm, and myrrh, also participated in the slave trade, which was a common, albeit abhorrent, practice. Egypt, a powerful and highly organized civilization, was a significant destination for such trade. The mention of "Pharaoh" (a title for the Egyptian king) and "officer" and "captain of the guard" highlights the sophisticated bureaucratic and military structure of Egyptian society. The "captain of the guard" was a highly trusted and influential position, responsible for the king's personal security and often the state prison, indicating that Joseph was sold into a prominent household rather than a common one, which would prove significant for his future.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 37:36 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** working through human sin, demonstrating how God orchestrates even wicked acts for His ultimate redemptive purposes, a concept powerfully articulated by Joseph himself in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's words to his brothers"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Suffering as Preparation**, as Joseph's descent into slavery marks the beginning of a period of severe trials and character development that would forge him into the leader necessary for God's plan. Thirdly, it initiates the **Descent into Egypt**, a critical narrative arc that foreshadows the later migration of Jacob's entire family and the subsequent formation of Israel as a nation, ultimately leading to their enslavement and miraculous exodus, themes foundational to the book of [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 37:36 succinctly describes the culmination of Joseph's involuntary journey from the pastoral lands of Canaan to the sophisticated civilization of Egypt, a transition fraught with human sin but undeniably guided by divine purpose. The verse states: "And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard."

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sold (Hebrew, _mâkar'_):** This primitive root (H4376) signifies the act of selling, encompassing various forms from merchandise to a daughter in marriage or, as in this case, into slavery. Its use here highlights the dehumanizing reality of Joseph's situation, reducing him from a beloved son to a mere commodity. Yet, paradoxically, this "sale" is the very mechanism God employs to move Joseph into his destined role.
* **officer (Hebrew, _çârîyç'_):** This term (H5631), often translated as "eunuch," broadly refers to a court official or minister of state. While eunuchs often held positions of trust in ancient courts, the term evolved to denote a high-ranking official regardless of physical castration. Potiphar's designation as an "officer of Pharaoh's" immediately establishes his significant status and proximity to the highest authority in Egypt, indicating that Joseph was placed in a household of considerable influence and power.
* **guard (Hebrew, _ṭabbâch'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to butcher" (H2876), this word literally means "butcher" or "executioner." In the context of a royal court, it refers to a "lifeguardsman" or a member of the royal bodyguard. Thus, the "captain of the guard" (Hebrew: *sar haṭṭabbâchîm*) was the chief of the royal executioners and the king's personal security detail, a position of immense trust, authority, and responsibility for the king's safety and the custody of state prisoners. This detail underscores the strategic importance of Joseph's placement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Midianites sold him":** This phrase identifies the agents of Joseph's final transaction. While [Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph sold to Ishmaelites") mentions Ishmaelites, the interchangeable use of "Midianites" here suggests either a mixed caravan of traders or a general term for nomadic groups involved in the slave trade from the Arabian Desert. Their act of selling Joseph, though driven by commercial interest, becomes the divinely appointed means of his relocation.
* **"into Egypt unto Potiphar":** This signifies Joseph's forced relocation from Canaan to Egypt, a major political and economic power of the ancient world. The destination, "Egypt," is crucial to God's larger plan for the Abrahamic covenant, as it would eventually become the place where Jacob's descendants would multiply into a nation. "Potiphar" is identified as Joseph's new owner, an Egyptian official whose name (likely meaning "he whom Ra has given") reflects the polytheistic religious environment Joseph was about to enter.
* **"an officer of Pharaoh's, [and] captain of the guard":** This clause provides specific details about Potiphar's high status and influential position within the Egyptian court. As an "officer of Pharaoh's," he held a position of trust and authority directly under the king. His role as "captain of the guard" (literally "chief of the executioners/slaughterers") implies he was the head of Pharaoh's personal security force, responsible for the royal bodyguard and state prisoners. This placement was not random; it ensured Joseph's proximity to power and set the stage for his future ascent within the Egyptian hierarchy, as detailed in [Genesis 39:1-6](/genesis/39-1-6 "Joseph's success in Potiphar's house").

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Genesis 37:36 employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is powerfully present, as the human act of selling Joseph into slavery, intended by his brothers for evil and by the traders for profit, is paradoxically the very means by which God begins to fulfill His redemptive purposes. This serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty. Furthermore, the verse functions as a crucial point of **Foreshadowing**. Joseph's individual descent into Egypt as a slave directly anticipates the later, larger national descent of the entire family of Jacob into Egypt, which would also lead to their eventual enslavement and subsequent miraculous deliverance, a foundational narrative for the nation of Israel. The detailed description of Potiphar's high office also serves as **Setup**, preparing the reader for Joseph's eventual rise to power by establishing his initial placement within an influential and critical part of the Egyptian administration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 37:36 is a pivotal verse that profoundly illustrates the overarching theme of divine sovereignty working through human sin and suffering. Despite the grave injustice of Joseph's sale into slavery, an act born of his brothers' jealousy and the Midianites' commercial exploitation, the biblical narrative consistently presents this event as a crucial, divinely orchestrated step in God's larger redemptive plan. This verse demonstrates that God is not limited by human wickedness but can meticulously weave even the darkest threads of human depravity into the tapestry of His glorious purposes, transforming what was intended for evil into good for the salvation of many. Joseph's journey from favored son to enslaved servant initiates a period of profound testing and character development, preparing him for the immense responsibilities he would later bear.

* [Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Joseph's explanation to his brothers")
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's words to his brothers")
* [Psalm 105:16-17](/psalm/105-16-17 "God sent a man before them, Joseph")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 37:36 offers a profound and enduring lesson for believers today: the reality of God's sovereign hand at work, even amidst the most painful and unjust circumstances of life. Joseph's experience of betrayal, abandonment, and forced enslavement represents a complete loss of control and dignity, yet this very event became the necessary pathway to his elevation and the eventual salvation of his family and countless others. For us, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that our current difficulties, betrayals, or setbacks are not necessarily endpoints but can be integral, divinely appointed steps in God's larger, redemptive plan for our lives. It encourages us to cultivate resilience, maintain faithfulness, and adopt a long-term, eternal perspective, trusting that God can transform the worst human intentions and the deepest personal suffering into opportunities for His glory and our ultimate good, working all things together for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's experience of being sold into slavery challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances?**
* **Can you identify a time in your own life when a seemingly negative or unjust event ultimately contributed to a greater good or a deeper understanding of God's plan?**
* **What does Joseph's initial placement in Potiphar's influential household suggest about God's meticulous preparation for future leadership, even in the midst of adversity?**

### FAQ
**Why are both "Ishmaelites" and "Midianites" mentioned in relation to Joseph's sale?**

Answer: The biblical text uses both "Ishmaelites" in [Genesis 37:27-28](/genesis/37-27-28 "Joseph sold to Ishmaelites") and "Midianites" in [Genesis 37:36](/genesis/37-36 "Midianites sell Joseph to Potiphar") to describe the traders who bought Joseph from his brothers. This is generally understood in a few ways: they may have been a mixed caravan composed of members from both groups, or the terms might have been used somewhat interchangeably in that period to refer to nomadic, trading peoples from the Arabian desert region. Both groups were descendants of Abraham through different lines (Ishmael from Hagar, Midian from Keturah), and their close association in trade routes could lead to such a fluid use of names, indicating a common identity as desert merchants.

**What was the exact role of "Potiphar, captain of the guard"?**

Answer: Potiphar held a very significant and powerful position within Pharaoh's court. The Hebrew phrase *sar haṭṭabbâḥîm* literally translates to "chief of the slaughterers" or "chief of the executioners." This indicates he was not merely a military officer but the head of Pharaoh's personal security detail. His responsibilities would have included commanding the royal bodyguard, overseeing executions, and managing the state prison. This role implies immense trust from Pharaoh and considerable authority, placing Joseph in a highly influential household where he would gain exposure to the inner workings of the Egyptian government, a crucial step in his preparation for future leadership as detailed in [Genesis 39:1-6](/genesis/39-1-6 "Joseph's success in Potiphar's house").

**Was Joseph's sale into slavery part of God's plan, or just a tragic accident?**

Answer: While the human actions involved in Joseph's sale were undoubtedly sinful and motivated by evil (his brothers' jealousy and the traders' exploitation), the biblical narrative consistently presents this event as an integral part of God's overarching, sovereign plan. Joseph himself articulates this profound theological truth later in his life, stating to his brothers in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's words to his brothers"), "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." This demonstrates that God can use even wicked human intentions and the suffering they inflict to accomplish His righteous and redemptive purposes, ultimately working all things for the good of those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All things work together for good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's unjust sale into slavery in Genesis 37:36 serves as a profound and compelling prefigurement of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, who was betrayed by his own brothers and sold for a price, Jesus was betrayed by one of His closest disciples, Judas, for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Judas agrees to betray Jesus")). Both endured immense suffering, humiliation, and unjust condemnation, being delivered into the hands of foreign powers – Joseph to Egypt, and Jesus to the Roman authorities ([John 18:28-32](/john/18-28-32 "Jesus before Pilate")). Yet, through their respective sufferings, both became instruments of salvation for many. Joseph, through his period of enslavement and imprisonment, was ultimately elevated to a position of power, saving his family and entire nations from physical famine ([Genesis 41:56-57](/genesis/41-56-57 "Joseph distributes grain")). Similarly, Christ, through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, was exalted by God ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Christ's humility and exaltation")), reigning as Lord and Savior, thereby accomplishing the spiritual salvation of humanity from sin and eternal death ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8-10 "God demonstrates His love")). Thus, Joseph's journey from the pit to the palace, initiated by his sale, powerfully illustrates God's redemptive plan unfolding through suffering, betrayal, and ultimate triumph in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 37:28

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 40:4

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

Isaiah 56:3

¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree.

2 Kings 25:8

¶ And in the fifth month, on the seventh [day] of the month, which [is] the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:

Genesis 39:1

¶ 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 Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

Genesis 39:23

The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing [that was] under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and [that] which he did, the LORD made [it] to prosper.

Genesis 25:1

¶ Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name [was] Keturah.