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.
Joseph was taken down to Egypt, where Potiphar bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. Potiphar was an Egyptian officer who served Pharaoh and was captain of the guard.
This verse shows Joseph beginning his time as a slave in Egypt after being sold by his brothers, now owned by an important Egyptian official.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers to Ishmaelites, who were nomadic traders traveling through the region. These merchants then transported him to Egypt, a prosperous ancient civilization along the Nile River, where he was bought as a slave by Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official serving as captain of Pharaoh's guard. This event reflects the common practice of slave trade in the ancient Near East, highlighting how personal betrayal could lead to displacement in foreign lands.
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