The rabbis recognized that the names "Potiphar" and "Potiphera" were related names of an Egyptian priest without providing any specific reference to the Egyptian god he served. Our experts have done a research to get . (Mark 6:20). This is (at the least) somewhat Biblically accurate. /p/potiphar.htm - 8k. Who were the priests of On? 2 o The L ord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. Feminism is grounded on the principle that women are universally oppressed by the dominant male hierarchy. The answer is actually quite logical. Welcome to Sharing Culture! MIKETZ Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh gave Asenath to Joseph for a wife. Potiphera. Pa-di-Para), "Whom P'Ra (sun-god) has given," and most authorities would consider Potiphar as an abbreviated form in Heb. Analysis of the marriage and ascendancy structure of Moses' family reveals the distinctive pattern of the Horite ruler-priest caste. Genesis 41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bare unto him. While this follows some early Egyptian birth naming customs, it is far from certain to be correct, and does little to clarify the biblical author's viewpoint of Joseph. The view that the names Potiphar and Potiphera refer to men of high rank is supported by the stela of Potiphera in Cairo Museum. The name is perhaps a deformation of Potiphera (wh. The story of Zuleika, wife of Potiphar (q.v. [3], Joseph and Potiphar's Wife by Ludovico Cigoli, Guercino, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, 1649, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife by Bartolom Esteban Perez Murillo, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife by Jean-Baptiste Nattier, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, by Guido Reni 1631, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife by Rembrandt, 1634. Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines. Joseph is not the only one of our ancestors to engage in an exogamous marriage; indeed, this kind of union can be a successful way to bring people into our group. When he married the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On, Yosef became a member of a socially and politically prominent family. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did . - 100 Bible Stories That said, rabbinic interpretation is not authoritative for Christians.The standard interpretation is that Potiphe-re is a corruption of Ap-Ophis-Ra. It is later mentioned in Genesis 41:50 that before the years of famine, Joseph had two sons with Asenath. The names of Potiphar are deconstructed and read as Hebrew roots, rendering terms that are related to idolatry. With the Torah's focus on family dynamics, it is rather odd that we learn, then, of Joseph's marriage in one short and strange verse (Genesis 41:45): Pharaoh called Joseph Zaphenath-paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as a wife; thus Joseph came to be in charge of the land of Egypt. Dedicated to Ra; i.e., to the sun-god, . In Gen 39 the seductress is the wife of Potiphar. phar) [from Egyptian, a shortened form of Potiphera]. He was responsible for the personal protection of the Egyptian King, his family and court; as well as presiding over the Royal Prison. But if Joseph's story teaches us anything, it is the beauty of resilience and the way life turns unexpectedly. In Parshat Miketz, Genesis 41, the pharaoh gave Joseph the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On, to marry. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. of Potipher. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The text isn't clear and the Rabbis don't agree. How do you give a first aid to a drowning person? I was also going on a hunch about the LXX, which appears not to distinguish between the two names. His brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. An Egyptian court official and chief of Pharaoh's bodyguard. 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. Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, Ph.D., serves as president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Perhaps this is a cautionary tale for those of us whose names were shortened, whose appearance is adjusted, and whose lifestyles are tailored to fit into a perceived American ideal. What uses graphics or pictures to help the user navigate and access programs? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The story is first related in Quran 12:21-35: An Egyptian purchases Joseph and proposes to adopt him. . Heliopolis is Biblical On and was an Ainu shrine. May 11 2016 This precise situation is described by the Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 13b: And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, bought him [Joseph]. POTIPHAR. In Genesis 41: 45, it says that Asenath was "given" to Joseph by Pharaoh. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Who is this Mark in Colossians 4? Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone. O Bellinzona, Switzerland is a place of extraordinary beauty. . Proper noun. They take this story out of context and use it as propaganda. His name possibly indicates the same figure as Potiphera (Hebrew: ). And so, Pharaoh selects the daughter of the Priest of On, a man named Potiphera. "It seems possible that the process of translation triggers speculation about Aseneth that the original Hebrew did not" (Kraemer, When, p.314). Was John the Baptist conceived via an immaculate conception? I have learned that in Bible study every jot and tittle counts. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. One can almost imagine Pharaoh seeing Joseph as a critical economic minister he needs to keep happy to ensure his country's continuity. In this quotation, al-abari understands the word al-Azz as the king, which gives the same impression of a mighty person, . Then we have these rabbis with some fanciful explainations (midrash) about how Potiphar = Potiphera, while other rabbis teach about how they do not equate: both interpretations are indeed represented, but neither one is taught dogmatically. eyeli Todays free book is The Bible and Archaeology by Frederic G. Kenyon, Why did Herod like to listen to John the Baptist, who criticized Herods lifestyle? Our team has collected thousands of questions that people keep asking in forums, blogs and in Google . Potiphar seems to be entitled 'chief cook' (EV [Note: English Version.] 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah. Was John the Baptist conceived via an immaculate conception? Maybe Potipher purchased Asenath on one slave dealing caravan and then came back through Shechem a few years later to see if he could bargain for more, whereupon he came upon Joseph's evil brothers who were ready to make a deal? Genesis 37:36 The rent in his garment testifies Joseph's innocence. There are several remarkable features to this verse, creating a veritable field day for commentators and authors willing to take up the cudgel. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Joseph and Potiphar's Wife. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. How Do You Get Rid Of Hiccups In 5 Seconds. All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED. After Joseph's brothers sell him to the Midianites, they take him down to Egypt. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Answer and Explanation: Joseph has one wife, Asenath the daughter of Potiphar the priest of On, whom he marries in Egypt. see) or an unsuccessful attempt to form an Egyptian name on the same lines. There remain Potiphar and Potiphera. How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time? Zaphnath-Paaneah (Biblical Hebrew: fna Pana, LXX: Psonthomphanch) is the name given by Pharaoh to Joseph in the Genesis narrative (Genesis 41:45). When we last encountered our hero Joseph, he had been sold to traders from the pit his brothers threw him in, had been brought to Egypt as a slave, and had suffered greatly due to his supposedly salacious interactions with Potiphar's wife, all to end up moldering in an Egyptian jail. Posted on January 17, 2022 by Claude Mariottini. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. ALSO SEE. Each of these views finds Scriptural support for its position: the three-wife opinion relies on Gen. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved What happens to Joseph and Potiphars relationship? The names Potiphar and Potiphera are very similar. Who is Potiphar? Justice is achieved as the commentators name, neuter, and then neutralize Potiphar, bringing the entire sordid ordeal to an end, and ensuring that Joseph is set up for success in his career in Egyptian government. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. The supreme ruler of ancient Egypt; a formal address for the sovereign seat of power as personified by the 'king' in an institutional role of Horus son of Osiris; often used by metonymy for Ancient Egyptian sovereignty. He was Joseph's master for a time and, it appears, was a man of wealth. . The commentators run wild with this possibility, but there is little ultimate agreement. Dr. Panken's excellent commentary on the naming, neutering, and neutralizing of Joseph's father-in-law Potiphar opens the door for us to ask, what becomes of Joseph withhisnew name, family, and occupation? Is Potiphar and potiphera the same person? Alice C. Linsley. Technical problems? Report These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Asenath is: Peril, misfortune. That would mean that Asenath really was, according to blood, of the house of Jacob, even though the Scriptures say that she was daughter (adopted?) Clara Brown. The names Potiphar and Potiphera can be viewed as being one and the same, as Egyptian writing does not always indicate vowels. Your email address will not be published. They may or may not be the same person. dedicated to Ra; i.e., to the sun-god, the Egyptian to whom the Ishmaelites sold Joseph ( Genesis 39:1).He was "captain of the guard", i.e., chief, probably, of the state police, who, while they formed part of the Egyptian army, were also largely employed in civil duties ( 37:36; marg., "chief of the executioners").Joseph, though a foreigner, gradually gained his confidence, and . He was Joseph's master for a time and, it appears, was a man of wealth. She became the mother of Ephraim and Manasseh, the . Potiphar is Pharaoh's officer, the captain of the guard(Gen 37:36; 39:1). The sefer here in his discussion of the name Potiphera says that there is a dispute amongst the Rabbis whether Potiphar (Bereishis/Genesis 39,1), the chief executioner of Pharaoh, and Potiphera are the same person or not.. Zulaika is the name given to the wife of Potiphar in Jewish and Muslim scripture. But the former title 'cook' may be . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In this reading, Joseph is nothing but an object for whom Potiphar and his wife (now both predators) compete. 'he whom Ra gave'[1]) is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. The meaning of Potiphar or Potiphera in Egyptian is "the one whom god Re has given", i.e., "the gift of god Re". Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. The Rabbis found it difficult to accept that Joseph, who withstood the wiles of Potiphar's wife and proclaimed his loyalty to the Lord in the palace . Josephs dreams first get him into trouble, but his ability to understand them leads him to be chosen by the Pharaoh and to save the world. She was Potiphera's daughter. She is the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 41:50; 46:20). Is it the same person? While there is not much in the way of biblical evidence for such a reading, such fascinating and playful interpretation helps heighten Joseph's climb to fame, even as it further lowers the status of the evil Potiphar in response to his prior sin in mistreating Joseph. However, there is nothing in the Hebrew which suggests that Potiphar was the same person as Potiphera. And the commentators who interpreted that this is the sacred tongue [Hebrew], it is a wonder how Pharaoh could have called [him] by a name in the sacred tongue! What is notable is the degree to which Joseph becomes an assimilated Egyptian in the process. 4 What happens to Joseph and Potiphars relationship? After successfully interpreting the dreams of two fellow prisoners and humbly declaring his interpretive powers as entirely derived from God, Joseph finds himself suddenly called to Pharaoh's palace to help the master of all Egypt with two problematic dreams of his own. Potiphar bought Joseph as a slave. . We sin against Gods honor by putting anyone or anything in Gods place. The sin of Azeez's wife becomes known in the city (Q12:30). There remain Potiphar and Potiphera. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Poti-Pherah means he whom Ra (the sun God) gave. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". In Biblical Names the meaning of the name Potiphar is: Bull of Africa, a fat bull. Potiphar's wife, who was known for her infidelities, took a liking to Joseph, and attempted to seduce him. Should the explanation in Genesis on how God created plants before the sun affect the understanding of creation? Potiphar is the one to whom Joseph(P) was sold and mentioned in the following verses: . Now, the student of Egypt can do some real homework regarding the time of this so-called pharaoh! Everything we know about Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, comes from the Bible, and mentions of him are underwhelming. How many blood transfusions can a person have? pot'-i-far (poTiphar; compare Egyptian Potiphera (Genesis 39:1 f)): A high Egyptian official who became the master of Joseph. According to Matthew and Luke, however, Joseph was only legally his father. The view that the names Potiphar and Potiphera refer to men of high rank is supported by the stela of Potiphera in Cairo Museum. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. Second, this reading explains the similarity between the names Potiphar and Potiphera, something the Torah never explicitly addresses. What is your issue?The person I recommend is Patrick Henry Reardon. Anyway, this man was a priest, a man who honored pagan God's. Potiphar and Poti-Perah are definitely two different people. Should the explanation in Genesis on how God created plants before the sun affect the understanding of creation? Joseph's experience in the house of Potiphar was both rewarding and disappointing. , VAYESHEV The Gospel of Luke says Mary is a virgin betrothed to Joseph, while the Gospel of Matthew says Jesuss virginal conception happens before Mary lives with Joseph in his house, because, in a Jewish wedding, by being betrothed to a man, the woman is already his wife, yet she does not start living in his house until the . Joseph's marriage to his daughter seems to go against the Old Testament directive not to intermarry with pagans (Deuteronomy 7:3; Nehemiah 13:27). At one time, Joseph was assumed to be elderly when he married Mary. Some scholars think this could be the same person as Potiphar. He was born to Joseph and Mary sometime between 6 bce and shortly before the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2; Luke 1:5) in 4 bce. This Hannukah, let's celebrate our freedom by recognizing that remaining true to ourselves and engaging in our communities doesn't have to be an either/or choice. "I pray, when I play pharaoh at White's, that the cards fall as they have come to my . Potiphar is the captain of Pharaoh's guard who is said to have purchased Joseph as a slave and, impressed by his intelligence, makes him the master of his household. By now, you have no doubt thought to yourself that Potiphera sounds a lot like Potiphar. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. The Egyptian's wife endeavours to seduce Joseph but he was preserved from her enticements. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. He was responsible for the personal protection of the Egyptian King, his family and court; as well as presiding over the Royal Prison. Potiphar puts Joseph in prison. 6[Doubleday: New York, 1992]). Are Pharaoh and Potiphar the same person? Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone. Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. [2] The false accusation by Potiphar's wife plays an important role in Joseph's narrative, because had he not been imprisoned, he would not have met the fellow prisoner who introduced him to Pharaoh. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. Potiphar (his name a derivate of Potiphera meaning that he was given by Ra) was an Egyptian official, serving the Pharaoh of the Exodus, as his captain of the guard. The founder of this blog, Ed Lundwall, is recovering from Covid. He names his firstborn son Manasseh (Genesis 41:51) to thank God for helping him forget the troubles of his past; he is physically unrecognizable to his brothers (42:8), perhaps because he may look like an Egyptian; and he swears by Pharaoh (42:15), who is not only his boss, but also an Egyptian deity. Potiphar, Son of Horus. How to say potiphar in English? She requested from Joseph to teach her the word of his God and that she and her husband would change to his God if Joseph did her wish. About Us. There is no reason to change the ph to f to suit your purpose. 5 Where was Potiphar located in the Book of Abraham? They were the ones taken as slaves. He spent 3 His master saw that the L ord was with him and that the L . Asked May 10 2016 Does the devil have power to make us sick? The Torah in which the story appears (see also the Bible and the Quran), was the earliest written of the three: c. 600 BC during the Babylonian Exile. The 13 New Testament books written by Paul (the epistles) make no reference to him at all, nor does the Gospel of Mark, the first of the Gospels. a little odd, because they had to show all the essential components - head, chest, legs . On, the equivalent of the Greek Heliopolis, neighboring the Eastern Delta or Goshen, later the site of the Hebrews' settlement, was the center of sun worship. After Pharaoh appoints him overlord of Egypt, Joseph marries Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. 'On' was another name for Heliopolis, which was the religious centre of Ra, the god representing the sun. The universally acceptable interpretation of Potiphera is that it is from the Egyptian Pa-di-Pre, "the gift of the (god) Re," a well-known type of name (Pa-di-DEITY), and in fact attested just once on a stela in Cairo Museum, attributed to the 21st Dynasty (=ca. a high-born, aristocratic Egyptian woman, the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in . He was the father of Asenath, who was given to Joseph as his wife by Pharaoh, ( 41:45 . At various stages of his life, Joseph was a slave, a prisoner, and a national leader. pharaoh, (from Egyptian per aa, great house), originally, the royal palace in ancient Egypt. Vote Up Your email address will not be published. For a collection of other versions see BibleHub Matthew 1:19. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. He was Joseph's master for a time and, it appears, was a man of wealth. When forty years of age, Joseph married a woman called Melcha or Escha by some, Salome by others; they lived forty-nine years together and had six children, two daughters and four sons, the youngest of whom was James (the Less, the Lords brother). Such a fantastic accusation on Rashi's part is surely surprising, but he comes by it honestly. Report, May 11 2016 Rashi subscribes to that opinion, and he explains why the name is slightly different in verse 45. What is the difference between a sign and a wonder? Potiphera was a priest of Ra (the Egyptian god of the sun) who was based in On (also known as Heliopolis). Joseph was a teenager when his family had last seen him. The word came to be used metonymically for the Egyptian king under the New Kingdom (starting in the 18th dynasty, 15391292 bce), and by the 22nd dynasty (c. Egypt was continually governed, at least in part, by native pharaohs for approximately 2500 years, until it was conquered by the Kingdom of Kush in the late 8th century BC, whose rulers adopted the traditional pharaonic titulature for themselves. What would be some verses from the Bible to save a marriage? Community answers are sorted based on votes. Noun. This is clear from Potiphera (Egyp. Radak's point is quite valid, for it is hard to imagine any impetus for Pharaoh to have learned or utilized Hebrew pre-Joseph. Potiphar is the captain of Pharaoh's guard who is said to have purchased Joseph as a slave and, impressed by his intelligence, makes him the master of his household. Unfortunately, Josephs relationship is irrevocably damaged when Potiphars wife falsely accuses Joseph of trying to rape her, resulting in Josephs imprisonment. In the Bible, Pharaoh honors Joseph by giving him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest from the city of On (LXX: Heliopolis; Gen 41:45). Still, our speculation is based on verifiable patterns in Genesis.Also, you are lifting up something that many Americans don't understand about slavery in the ancient world. According to the opinion that they are two different people the question is easily answered - the Torah says that Potiphera was the priest of . Rav said: He bought him for himself [that is, for his own sexual purposes], but [the angel] Gabriel came and castrated him and then Gabriel came and mutilated him (ufeir'o), for originally his name is written Potiphar but afterwards Potiphera. He is supposed by some to have been the same "captain of the guard" who promoted Joseph in prison, Genesis 37:36; 39:23. The original name for the Nile River was *Ar*, meaning "venerable". What follows is a general consideration of beauty as the Good. Answer (1 of 11): No. A reader has asked whether Potiphar and Potifera might be the same person. Does God gives us political leaders or do we vote them by choice? Potiphar later brings Joseph to Pharaoh, who is plagued by inexplicable dreams, and expresses deep regret for having Joseph put in prison, but Joseph understands and forgives Potiphar. If Potiphar and Poti-phera were the same person, then either (a) the same man was both captain of the guard for Paro and a priest, or (b) he was one and then became the other later. In another early text, The History of Joseph the Carpenter, which was composed in Egypt between the 6th and 7th centuries, Christ himself tells the story of his step-father, claiming Joseph was 90 years old when he married Mary and died at 111. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Share EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. Required fields are marked *. http://www.allsaintsorthodox.org/pastor/bio.php. 10 weeks in the hospital. Yes, the story of the rape and dismemberment of the Levite's concubine is in all the feminist texbooks, so to speak. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. Potiphar and Potiphera. I read one commentary, which says yes, (including Rashi) and another, which says no. Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard Asenath was the daughter of POTI PHERA, the governor of On. Things are certainly starting to look up. Playing on the similarity between ufeir'o ("mutilated him") and the last two syllables of Potiphera, the Talmud crafts a bizarre tale that serves two narrative purposes: first, it portrays Potiphar as a sexual predator, thus recasting the entire interaction between Potiphar's wife and Joseph in Genesis 39. First is that the time of Joseph is between 1900 and 1950 BC. Potiphera was Joseph's father-in-law and a priest of the Temple in Heliopolis. The names Potiphar and Potiphera are very similar. There were two men in the tale with similar names Potiphar and Potiphera. For example, here is the verse at Genesis 39:1; 'As for Joseph, he was brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, a court official of Pharao. I was suspecting that the name Potiphera must be more of a title, like "Pharoah", than an actual name, and that there was nothing necessarily inconsistent about someone functioning at one instance as an officer of Pharoah (a eunuch? Their relationship is first mentioned in Genesis 41:45. She is the subject of many verbs and they are unusual ones for a female biblical character. Clarify Josephs Egyptian wife. Potipherah /ptfr/ was a priest of the ancient Egyptian town of On, mentioned in the Genesis 41:45 and 41:50. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email. This issue came up from a discussion on an atheist blog. What would be some verses from the Bible to save a marriage? (uncountable) The card game faro. 264277; Revised Edition, pp. 40 What's vodka made from? What . (biblical) An Egyptian and captain of the guard under Pharaoh. Thank you for subscribing to emails from ReformJudaism.org! He also gave him a wife, whose name was Asenath. . 1160-1235) rejects such a reading in no uncertain terms: This is the Egyptian language, just as Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel and his associates by a name in the Aramaic language. NLT. In Hebrew, "officer" is (saris), the captain of the guard is (sar tabbach).According to HALOT (The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament), saris means high official eunuch. The Pharaoh is said to have given Joseph, Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. In the Bible, Pharaoh honors Joseph by giving him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest from the city of On (LXX: Heliopolis; Gen 41:45). 267283;The Torah: A Women's Commentary, pp. The form "Potiphar" is probably an abbreviation of "Potiphera"; the two are treated as identical in the Septuagint, and are rendered or . The medieval Sefer HaYashar, a commentary on the Torah, gives Potiphars wifes name as Zuleikha, as do many Islamic traditions thus the Persian poem called Yusuf and Zulaikha from Jami s Haft Awrang (Seven thrones). The Eastern Orthodox Church, which names Josephs first wife as Salome, holds that Joseph was a widower and betrothed to Mary, and that references to Jesus brothers were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. Please check your inbox for our emails, and to manage your subscription. 1070-945 BC), but quite possibly later . Among many others, two mainstream commentators, Rashi and his grandson Rashbam (Rabbi Samuel ben Meir, France, 1080-1160) duke it out thus: Rashbam: Potiphera - According to the straightforward meaning, this is not Potiphar. As a result of Potiphar's inappropriate male actions toward Joseph, the angel Gabriel castrated him as an act of divine justice, rendering him unable to continue such predatory activities. Josephs decision not to sleep with Potiphars wife is traditionally held up by Christian and Jewish faith communities as a model of piety. Sela probably was not a major site i A fresco at Erebuni Fortress in Armenia (8th Century BC) The universally acceptable interpretation of Potiphera is that it is from the Egyptian Pa-di-Pre, "the gift of the (god) Re," a well-known type of name (Pa-di-DEITY), and in fact attested just once on a stela in Cairo Museum, attributed to the 21st Dynasty (=ca. If so, both the captain of the guard and the high priest of Heliopolis bore the same name, but would not be the same person. 31 When should weight be measured? Do you know any good scholars who specialise in the book of Judges? This was the norm for Jewish newlyweds at that time. He names his firstborn son Manasseh (Genesis 41:51) to thank God for helping him forget the troubles of his past; he is physically unrecognizable to his brothers (42:8), perhaps because he may look like an Egyptian; and he swears by Pharaoh (42:15), who is not only his boss, but also an Egyptian deity.