Genesis 37:36 — Word Study
WLCוְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔ים מָכְר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־ מִצְרָ֑יִם לְפֽוֹטִיפַר֙ סְרִ֣יס פַּרְעֹ֔ה שַׂ֖ר הַטַּבָּחִֽים׃ פ
BSAMeanwhile, the MidianitesMᵉdânîy△ [a tribe of people from Midian, a place of strife] soldmâkar■ [Joseph]ʼêth [as a slave, to be owned by another] inʼêl EgyptMitsrayim [a country in northeastern Africa, a major world power] to PotipharPôwṭîyphar [a high-ranking officer, a eunuch] an officerçârîyç [a ruler, leader] of PharaohParʻôh [the king of Egypt, a powerful leader] [and] captainsar [head, chief] of the guardṭabbâch [the lifeguardsmen, executioners]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔ים | and the Medanites | Conjunction, particle, noun gentilic masculine plural absolute |
| מָכְר֥וּ | they sold | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| אֹת֖וֹ | the object marker him | Particle, suffix |
| אֶל־ | into | Preposition |
| מִצְרָ֑יִם | Egypt | Noun proper |
| לְפֽוֹטִיפַר֙ | to Potiphar | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| סְרִ֣יס | an official of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| פַּרְעֹ֔ה | Pharaoh | Noun |
| שַׂ֖ר | [the] commander of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַטַּבָּחִֽים׃ פ | the bodyguards | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. |
| KJV | And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard. |
| ASV | And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard. |
| YLT | And the Medanites have sold him unto Egypt, to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, head of the executioners. |
| WEB | The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard. |
| BBE | And in Egypt the men of Midian gave him for a price to Potiphar, a captain of high position in Pharaoh's house. |
Where they part company is in the details of the narrative, but the translations are consistent in their rendering of the key actions.
The sentence has a main clause followed by multiple phrases that provide details about the action and its context.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָכַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 10 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 37:36
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Sale of Josephgenerated
Genesis 37:36 describes how Joseph, after being betrayed by his brothers, was sold by the Midianites into slavery in Egypt. This act set off a series of events that would lead to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and ultimately the preservation of his family during a famine, as seen in later chapters. The context reveals themes of betrayal, providence, and redemption throughout Joseph's story.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 37:28 | So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. |
| 2 | Genesis 25:1–2 | Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, |
| 3 | Genesis 39:1 | Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. |
| 4 | Esther 1:10 | On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas— |
| 5 | Isaiah 56:3 | Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מָכְר֥וּ, ma.khe.Rugenerated
The verb מָכַר (makar) means 'to sell' and is used here in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action. It reflects the act of selling Joseph into slavery, a pivotal moment in the narrative.
This verb appears frequently in the Old Testament, often in contexts involving transactions or exchanges. In this instance, it emphasizes the betrayal of Joseph by his brothers and the subsequent actions of the Midianites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the meaning of מָכְר֥וּ as 'they sold.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all convey this action without variation.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb מָכְר֥וּ (they sold) governs the entire clause, with multiple noun phrases and prepositional phrases detailing the action and its context. The structure emphasizes the action of selling and the subsequent details about the location and recipient.
The sentence flows from the subject (the Midianites) to the action (sold) and then to the object (Joseph) and his destination (Egypt), illustrating the progression of the narrative.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מָכְר֥וּ as ἀπέδοντο, which means 'they sold.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the act of selling.
The LXX's use of this term aligns closely with the Hebrew, emphasizing the transaction and the implications of Joseph's sale.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 37:36 tells us that the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, who was an important official. This event marks a significant turning point in Joseph's life, leading to his eventual rise to power in Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Joseph being sold signifies betrayal by his brothers and sets in motion the events that will lead to his eventual rise in Egypt.
Potiphar was a high-ranking official in Egypt, specifically the chief of the executioners, who bought Joseph as a slave.
The Midianites were traders who came upon Joseph after he was sold by his brothers, and they took the opportunity to sell him in Egypt.
Joseph's sale into Egypt is significant as it leads to his eventual rise to power and the fulfillment of God's plan for him and his family during a future famine.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does betrayal play a role in Joseph's story?
- What can we learn from Joseph's response to his circumstances?
- In what ways does this event foreshadow later events in Joseph's life?
- How does the narrative of Joseph challenge our understanding of adversity and divine purpose?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers comment on Joseph's story, often drawing moral lessons from his experiences of betrayal and redemption.
Then Jacob sent Joseph to the flock that he might bring back to him a report on his brothers. But the brothers, by means of the cloak that was bespattered with blood, sent Jacob a report on Joseph.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 37 →
But as for what pertains to the moral interpretation, because our God wishes all people to be saved, through Joseph he also gave consolation to those who are in slavery, and he gave them instruction.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 37 →
Now the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an eunuch of Pharaoh and the chief of the royal executioners. In many places the Scriptures mention the chief of the executioners as the chief of the cooks,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 37:36 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the Midianites sold him into Egypt,.... Or Medanites, who sprung from Medan, a brother of Midian, and son of Keturah, Genesis 24:2; and were distinct from the Midianites, though they dwelt near
Read John Gill on Genesis 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. Sold him ... unto Potiphar , [Septuagint, Petefree] - i:e. belonging to the sun.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhose office it was to apprehend and punish criminal persons. See .
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’ s, [and] captain of the guard.Ver. 36. And the Midianites.] Little knew Joseph what God was in doing. Have patience, till he have brought both ends together.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 37 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(36) Midianites.—Heb., Medanites. (See Note on Genesis 37:25.) Potiphar.—Three chief interpretations are given of this name The first explains it by two Coptic words, according to which it would signify “father of the king.” This would make it an official name equivalent to prime minister or vizier. Gesenius considers it to be the same name as Potipherah (Genesis 41:50), and explains it as meaning “consecrated to Ra,” that is, the sun-god. Thirdly, Canon Cook, in the “Excursus on Egyptian Words,” at the end of Vol. I. of The Speaker’s Commentary, argues with much cogency, that it means “father of the palace.” This again would be an official name. An officer.—Though this word literally in…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 37 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 36. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's] The word סריס saris, translated officer, signifies a eunuch; and lest any person should imagine that because this Potiphar had a wife, therefore it is absurd to suppose him to have been a eunuch, let such persons know that it is not uncommon in the east for eunuchs to have wives, nay, some of them have even a harem or seraglio where they keep many women, though it does not appear that they have any progeny; and probably discontent on this ground might have contributed as much to the unfaithfulness of Potiphar's wife, as that less principled motive through which it is commonly believed she acted. Captain of the guard.] שר הטבחים sar kattabbachim…
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 37 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges36. Midianites] Heb. Medanites. This verse, from E, resumes the narrative from Genesis 37:29-30. Potiphar] An Egyptian name, denoting “the gift of Ra,” the sun-god. It appears as “Potiphera,” Genesis 41:45, Genesis 46:20. LXX Πετεφρῆς, Lat. Putiphar, reproducing the Egyptian Pedephrη = “he whom the sun-god gives.” officer] Lit. “eunuch.” Probably a word used to denote an official about the court. Heb. saris, LXX σπάδων, Lat. eunuchus. Some Assyriologists prefer the derivation from �a rκ�i = “he who is the head.” But there seems to be no sufficient reason to call in question the meaning which the word has in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic. The class to which the saris belonged has always…
Read Cambridge on Genesis 37 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible36. Potiphar — “A eunuch of Pharaoh: this is the primary meaning, although the word came afterwards to mean officer in general, since the officers about the royal person were usually eunuchs.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 37 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.
Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
Now in Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.
Tyndale line
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
And the Midianites solde him into Egypt vnto Potiphar an Eunuche of Pharaohs, and his chiefe stewarde.
Strictly literal
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt, to Potiphar, a chamberlain of Pharaoh, the captain of the life-guard.
And the Medanites have sold him unto Egypt, to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, head of the executioners.
And the Midianites have sold him to Egypt, to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, head of the executioners.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guards.
The Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard.
From the Latin
The Madianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Putiphar, an eunuch of Pharao, captain of the soldiers.
Simplified
In the meantime the Ishmaelites had arrived in Egypt and had sold Joseph to Potiphar. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officers, the captain of the guard.
And in Egypt the men of Midian gave him for a price to Potiphar, a captain of high position in Pharaoh's house.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states that the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs from the Masoretic Text in four words: it uses 'מדינים' (Medanite) instead of 'מְּדָנִים' (Midianite), includes 'את' (the object marker), uses 'יוסף' (Joseph) which is the same, and 'מצרימה' (Egypt) instead of 'מִצְרָ֑יִם' (Egypt). The Septuagint's word-by-word correspondence does not provide a complete translation but shows that it aligns with the Masoretic Text in some aspects, though its specific wording and structure differ significantly. Overall, the Samaritan Pentateuch presents a notable variation in the identity of the sellers and the phrasing, while the Septuagint's exact alignment with the Masoretic Text is less clear due to its different wording.
וְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔ים מָכְר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל־ מִצְרָ֑יִם לְפֽוֹטִיפַר֙ סְרִ֣יס פַּרְעֹ֔ה שַׂ֖ר הַטַּבָּחִֽים׃ פ
6 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
והמדינים מכרו את יוסף מצרימה לפוטיפר סריס פרעה שׂר הטבחים
4 words differ from the Masoretic Text: מדינים (Medanite), את (
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 37:36
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מִדְיָנִי (Mdaniy) means 'Midianite,' referring to someone from Midian or an inhabitant of the land. It is derived from the root word for Midian, מִדְיָן (Midyan). The term is used in the context of the Old Testament to describe members of the tribe of Midian.
מִדְיָנִי adj.gent. Midianite
base
H4092 מִדְיָנִי
4092 Mdaniy med-aw-nee'
a variation of 4084:--Midianite.
see HEBREW for 04084
מְדָנִי (me.da.ni) — Midianite.
Someone from Midian, a Midianite "strife"
1) a member of the tribe of Midian
2) an inhabitant of the land of Midian
Another spelling of mid.yan (מִדְיָן "Midian" H4080H)
Conj | Art | Ngmpa — Conjunction · particle · noun gentilic masculine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ngmpa
מָכַר (makar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to sell.' It encompasses various forms, including selling merchandise, giving a daughter in marriage, or even selling oneself into slavery. The word appears in different grammatical forms, such as Qal (to sell), Niphal (to be sold), and Hithpael (to sell oneself). It reflects both literal and figurative senses of selling.
מָכַר vb. sell
Qal sell
Niph. be sold
Hithp. sell oneself as slave
base
H4376 מָכַר sell
4376 makar maw-kar'
a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a
daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to
surrender):--X at all, sell (away, -er, self).
מָכַר (ma.khar) — to sell.
1) to sell
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sell
1a2) seller (participle)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be sold
1b2) to sell oneself
1b3) to be given over to death
1c) (Hithpael) to sell oneself
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
DirObjM | Suff — Particle · suffixHTo/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
מִצְרַ֫יִם (mitsrayim) refers to Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa known for the Nile River. The term can denote both the land and its inhabitants, the Egyptians. It is derived from a dual form suggesting Upper and Lower Egypt, and is linked to the biblical figure Mizraim, a son of Ham. The lexicons note its significance in the context of the table of nations.
מִצְרַ֫יִם 681 n.pr.terr. et gent. Egypt, Egyptians
of land, Egypt
combinations
of people:
in table of nations, personif. as second son of Ham
= Egypt (as a people), Egyptians
base
H4714 מִצְרַ֫יִם Egypt, Egyptians . . of land, Egypt
. combinations
. of people: . in table of nations, personif. as second son of Ham
. = Egypt (as a people), Egyptians
4714 Mitsrayim mits-rah'-yim
dual of 4693; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt:--Egypt,
Egyptians, Mizraim.
see HEBREW for 04693
מִצְרַ֫יִם (mits.ra.yim) — Egypt.
§ Egypt = "land of the Copts"
a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows
Egyptians = "double straits"
מִצְרַ֫יִם (mits.ra.yim) — Egypt.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.6;
son of: Ham (H2526);
brother of: Canaan (H3667), Cush (H3568) and Put (H6316);
father of: Ludim (H3866), Anamim (H6047), Lehabim (H3853), Naphtuhim (H5320), Pathrusim (H6625), Casluhim (H3695) and Caphtorim (H3732)
§ Egypt = "land of the Copts"
1) a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows
Egyptians = "double straits"
adj
2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
מִצְרַ֫יִם (mits.ra.yim) — (Sea of) Egypt.
§ Egypt = "land of the Copts"
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
e'-jipt:
I. THE COUNTRY
1. The Basis of the Land 2. The Nile Valley 3. Earliest Human Remains 4. Climate 5. Conditions of Life 6. The Nile 7. The Fauna 8. The Flora 9. The Prehistoric Races
II. THE HISTORY
1. 1st and 2nd Ages: Prehistoric 2. 3d Age: Ist and IInd Dynasties 3. 4th Age: IIIrd through VIth Dynasties 4. 5th Age: VIIth through XIVth Dynasties 5. 6th Age: XVth through XXIVth Dynasties 6. 7th Age: XXVth Dynasty to Roman Times 7. 8th Age: Arabic 8. Early Foreign Connections
III. THE OLD TESTAMENT CONNECTIONS
1. Semitic Connections 2. Abramic Times 3. Circumcision 4. Joseph 5. Descent into Egypt 6. The Oppression 7. The Historic Position 8. The Plagues 9. Date of the Exodus 10. Route of the Exodus 11. Numbers of the Exodus 12. Israel in Canaan 13. Hadad 14. Pharaoh's Daughter 15. Shishak 16. Zerakh 17. The Ethiopians 18. Tahpanhes 19. Hophra 20. The Jews of Syene 21. The New Jerusalem…
Egypt
The land of the Nile and the pyramids, the oldest kingdom of which we have any record, holds a place of great significance in Scripture.
The Egyptians belonged to the white race, and their original home is still a matter of dispute. Many scholars believe that it was in Southern Arabia, and recent excavations have shown that the valley of the Nile was originally inhabited by a low-class population, perhaps belonging to the Nigritian stock, before the Egyptians of history entered it. The ancient Egyptian language, of which the latest form is Coptic, is distantly connected with the Semitic family of speech.
Egypt consists geographically of two halves, the northern being the Delta, and the southern Upper Egypt, between Cairo and the First Cataract. In the Old Testament, Northern or Lower Egypt is called Mazor, “the fortified land” (Isa.…
(land of the Copts), a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa. Its limits appear always to have been very nearly the same. It is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by Palestine, Arabia and the Red Sea, on the south by Nubia, and on the west by the Great Desert. It is divided into upper Egypt --the valley of the Nile --and lower Egypt, the plain of the Delta, from the Greek letter; it is formed by the branching mouths of the Nile, and the Mediterranean Sea. The portions made fertile by the Nile comprise about 9582 square geographical miles, of which only about 5600 is under cultivation. --Encyc. Brit. The Delta extends about 200 miles along the Mediterranean, and Egypt is 520 miles long from north to south from the sea to the First Cataract. NAMES. --The common name of Egypt in the Bible is "Mizraim." It is in the dual number, which indicates the two…
A celebrated country in the north of Africa, at the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The Hebrews called it Mizraim, Ge 10:6, and hence it is now called by the Arabs, Mizr. The Greeks and Romans called it Aegyptus, whence Egypt; but the origin of this name is unknown.
The habitable land of Egypt is for the most part a great valley, through which the river Nile pours its waters, extending in a straight line from north to south, and skirted on the east and west by ranges of mountains, which approach and recede from the river more or less in different parts. Where this valley terminates, towards the north, the Nile divides itself, about forty or fifty miles from the seacoast, into several arms, which inclose the so-called Delta. The ancients numbered seven arms and mouths; the eastern was that of Pelusium, now that of Tineh; and the…
פּוֹטִיפַר (Powtiyphar) refers to Potiphar, an Egyptian official mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically as Joseph's master. The name is derived from Egyptian and is interpreted as 'belonging to the sun.' Potiphar is noted as the chief of the executioners and is first mentioned in Genesis 37:36.
פּוֹטִיפַר n.pr.m. Joseph's master
base
H6318 פּוֹטִיפַר Joseph's master
6318 Powtiyphar po-tee-far'
of Egyptian derivation: Potiphar, an Egyptian:--Potiphar.
פּוֹטִיפַר (po.ti.phar) — Potiphar.
A man of the Egyptians living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.37.36
§ Potiphar = "belonging to the sun"
an officer of Pharaoh, chief of the executioners, and the master to whom Joseph was sold as a slave
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
pot'-i-far (poTiphar; compare Egyptian Potiphera (Ge 39:1 f)): A high Egyptian official who became the master of Joseph. It is particularly mentioned that he was an Egyptian, i.e. one of the native Egyptian officials at the Hyksos court.
Potiphar
Dedicated to Ra; i.e., to the sun-god, the Egyptian to whom the Ishmaelites sold Joseph (Gen. 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 became overseer over all his possessions. Believing the false accusation which his profligate wife brought against Joseph, Potiphar cast him into prison, where he remained for some years. (See JOSEPH.)
an Egyptian name, also written Potipherah, signifies belonging to the sun . Potiphar. with whom the history of Joseph is connected is described as an officer of Pharaoh chief of the executioners, an Egyptian." (Genesis 39:1) comp. Genesis37:36 (B.C. 1728.) He appears to have been a wealthy man. (Genesis 39:4-6) The view we have of Potiphar’s household is exactly in accordance with the representations on the monuments. When Joseph was accused, his master contented himself with casting him into prison. (Genesis 39:19,20) After this we hear no more of Potiphar. [JOSEPH]
A high officer of Pharaoh, who purchased Joseph of the Midianites, and made him master of his house, but afterwards imprisoned him on a false charge. He is supposed by some to have been the same "captain of the guard" who promoted Joseph in prison, Ge 37:36; 39:23.
סָרִיס (sārîs) means 'eunuch' and is derived from a root implying castration. It can also refer to an official or minister of state, particularly one serving in female quarters. The term appears in contexts related to royal or governmental roles.
סָרִיס 45 n.m. eunuch
base
H5631 סָרִיס eunuch
5631 cariyc saw-reece'
or caric {saw-reece'}; from an unused root meaning to
castrate; a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the
female apartments), and thus, a minister of
state:--chamberlain, eunuch, officer. Compare 7249.
see HEBREW for 07249
סָרִיס (sa.ris) — eunuch.
official, eunuch
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word פַּרְעֹה (*par'oh*) means 'Pharaoh,' which is a title for Egyptian kings. It is derived from Egyptian and is commonly associated with various rulers mentioned throughout the Old Testament, including those during the time of the Patriarchs and the Divided Monarchy. The term translates to 'great house,' reflecting its significance in ancient Egypt.
פַּרְעֹה 275 n.m. Pharaoh, title of Egyptian kings
base
H6547 פַּרְעֹה Pharaoh, title of Egyptian kings
6547 Par`oh par-o'
of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian
kings:--Pharaoh.
פַּרְעֹה (par.oh) — Pharaoh.
A man of the Egyptians living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.12.15
§ Pharaoh = "great house"
the common title of the king of Egypt
פַּרְעֹה (par.oh) — Pharaoh.
A man of the Egyptians living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.37.36
Also named: Pharaō (Φαραώ "Pharaoh" G5328)
§ Pharaoh = "great house"
the common title of the king of Egypt
פַּרְעֹה (par.oh) — Pharaoh.
A man of the Egyptians living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.1.11
Also named: Pharaō (Φαραώ "Pharaoh" G5328H)
§ Pharaoh = "great house"
the common title of the king of Egypt
פַּרְעֹה (par.oh) — Pharaoh.
A man of the Egyptians living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.3.10
Also named: Pharaō (Φαραώ "Pharaoh" G5328I)
§ Pharaoh = "great house"
N-proper — NounHNtmsa
fa'-ro, fa'-ra-o (par`oh; Pharao); Egyptian per aa, "great house"):em; the King James Version Pharacim): One of the families of temple-servants who returned with Zerubbabel (1 Esdras 5:31; not found in Ezra or Nehemiah).
1. The Use of Name in Egypt:
Many and strange differences of opinion have been expressed concerning the use of this name in Egypt and elsewhere, because of its importance in critical discussions (see below). Encyclopaedia Biblica says "a name given to all Egyptian kings in the Bible"; it also claims that the name could not have been received by the Hebrews before 1000 BC. HDB (III, 819) says that a letter was addressed to Amenhotep as "Pharaoh, lord of," etc. According to Winckler's theory of a North Arabian Musri, it was the Hebrews alone in ancient times who adopted the term Pharaoh from the Egyptians, the name not being found even in the Tell el-Amarna Letters or…
Pharaoh
The official title borne by the Egyptian kings down to the time when that country was conquered by the Greeks. (See EGYPT.) The name is a compound, as some think, of the words Ra, the “sun” or “sun-god,” and the article phe, “the,” prefixed; hence phera, “the sun,” or “the sun-god.” But others, perhaps more correctly, think the name derived from Perao, “the great house” = his majesty = in Turkish, “the Sublime Porte.”
(1.) The Pharaoh who was on the throne when Abram went down into Egypt (Gen. 12:10-20) was probably one of the Hyksos, or “shepherd kings.” The Egyptians called the nomad tribes of Syria Shasu, “plunderers,” their king or chief Hyk, and hence the name of those invaders who conquered the native kings and established a strong government, with Zoan or Tanis as their capital. They were of…
the common title of the native kings of Egypt in the Bible, corresponding to P-ra or Ph-ra "the sun," of the hieroglyphics. Brugsch, Ebers and other modern Egyptologists define it to mean ’the great house," which would correspond to our "the Sublime Porte." As several kings are mentioned only by the title "Pharaoh" in the Bible, it is important to endeavor to discriminate them: The Pharaoh of Abraham . (Genesis 12:15) --At the time at which the patriarch went into Egypt, it is generally held that the country, or at least lower Egypt, was ruled by the Shepherd kings, of whom the first and moat powerful line was the fifteenth dynasty, the undoubted territories of which would be first entered by one coming from the east. The date at which Abraham visited Egypt was about B.C. 2081, which would accord with the time of Salatis the head of…
Is properly an Egyptian word adopted into the Hebrew, and signifies king; so that when we find this name it means everywhere the king. Thus, also, Pharaoh Hophra is simply king Hophra.
Of the kings of Egypt, there are not less than twelve or thirteen mentioned in Scripture, all of whom bore the general title of Pharaoh, except four. Along with this title, two of them have also other proper names, Necho and Hophra. The following is their order. Some of them have been identified, by the labors of Champollion and others, with kings whose proper names we know from other sources, while others still remain in obscurity. Indeed, so brief, obscure, and conflicting are the details of Egyptian history and ancient chronology, which no name before that of Shishak can be regarded as identified beyond dispute.
שַׂר (sar) refers to a leader or ruler, encompassing a range of meanings from prince and chief to official and captain. It denotes various ranks, including military commanders and religious leaders, and can also imply a noble or merchant of high status. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to rule'.
שַׂר 420 n.m. chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
base
H8269 שַׂר chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
8269 sar sar
from 8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain
(that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper,
lord, ((-task- ))master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
see HEBREW for 08323
שַׂר (sar) — ruler.
1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain
1a) chieftain, leader
1b) vassal, noble, official (under king)
1c) captain, general, commander (military)
1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)
1e) heads, princes (of religious office)
1f) elders (of representative leaders of people)
1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)
1h) patron-angel
1i) Ruler of rulers (of God)
1j) warden
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
טַבָּח (tabbach) refers to a cook or guardsman, with roots indicating a butcher or executioner. It encompasses roles such as a bodyguard and the act of slaughtering animals for food. The term is linked to the Aramaic equivalent טַבָּח (H2877), which also means 'guardsman'.
טַבָּח n.m. 1. cook, 2. guardsman
base
H2876 טַבָּח 1. cook, 2. guardsman
2876 tabbach tab-bawkh'
from 2873; properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman
(because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook
(usually slaughtering the animal for food):--cook, guard.
see HEBREW for 02873
טַבָּח (tab.bach) — guard.
1) executioner, cook, bodyguard, guardsman
1a) cook (who also killed the animal for food)
1b) guardsmen, bodyguard
Aramaic equivalent: tab.bach (טַבָּח "guardsman" H2877)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa