Potiphar (Pot´uh-fuhr)

An official of Pharaoh and captain of the guard who purchased the patriarch Joseph in Egypt from some Midianite (Ishmaelite) merchants who had themselves purchased him from his brothers (Gen 37:36; Gen 39:1). Potiphar recognized Joseph’s special talents, but cast him into prison because of a false accusation by Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:6-20).