Potiphar's Wife

Potiphar's wife appears in Genesis 39 as the unnamed spouse of an Egyptian official who purchases Joseph as a slave. After repeated attempts to seduce Joseph fail, she seizes his garment when he flees her advances and then accuses him of attempted rape, resulting in his imprisonment. The episode underscores Joseph's commitment to moral integrity and divine loyalty over personal advantage. It also advances the larger narrative of God's providential care, moving Joseph from slavery through false accusation toward eventual leadership in Egypt.

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Biography

Spouse: Potiphar
Era: Patriarchs
Nationality: Egyptian

Family

Potiphar's Wife ⚭ Potiphar

Old Testament Patriarchs Woman Genesis

Did You Know?

The biblical narrative never provides Potiphar's wife with a personal name, referring to her solely through her marital relationship, a common literary device in ancient texts to underscore her role as an antagonist rather than a developed character.

In the account, she repeatedly propositions Joseph over an unspecified period, demonstrating persistence that contrasts with typical portrayals of fleeting temptation in other ancient Near Eastern stories.

The garment she retains as false evidence against Joseph is described using the Hebrew term "beged," which often denotes a large outer cloak worn by officials, possibly indicating Joseph's elevated status in the household.

Despite her accusation leading to Joseph's imprisonment, the text notes that Potiphar's anger was kindled, yet she herself faces no recorded punishment, suggesting either her high social standing or the narrative's emphasis on divine providence for Joseph.

Scholars note parallels between this story and the Egyptian "Tale of Two Brothers," where a woman similarly accuses a man of assault after rejection, indicating possible cultural exchange in storytelling motifs during the patriarchal era.

Key Passages

Temptation of Joseph

Genesis 39:7-12

This passage shows how choosing loyalty to God empowers us to resist even strong temptations with courage and integrity.

A⁷nd it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

⁸ But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; ⁹ There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? ¹⁰ And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. ¹¹ And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. ¹² And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Read full chapter: Genesis 39 →

False Accusation

Genesis 39:13-20

This passage shows that standing for integrity can bring unjust suffering, yet God remains faithfully present through every trial.

A¹³nd it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

¹⁴ That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: ¹⁵ And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. ¹⁶ And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. ¹⁷ And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: ¹⁸ And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. ¹⁹ And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. ²⁰ And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.