Scripture tells us that Joseph was sold into slavery and brought down to Egypt, where he was bought by Potiphar, "an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard." (Gen. 39: 1) There, he found favor in his master's eyes as the household steward. Unfortunately, he also found favor in the eyes of Potiphar's wife, of whom it is written, "cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, 'Lie with me." (Gen. 39:12) Daily he refused, until he was falsely accused by the woman scorned and duly thrown into prison.

     As a Hebrew, Joseph was of a nomadic heritage roundly despised by native Egyptians. Indeed, as he later reminded his brothers, "every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." So the question arises: Why did Potiphar's wife have the "hots" for him? She was obviously privileged as the wife of a court official...and therein may lie the answer.

     The Hebrew term, cariyc, which the King James Version translates "officer" and by other translations "chamberlain" or "court official" can also be translated "eunuch." Now, that answers a whole slew of questions, doesn't it?

Acknowledgments: 16, 17

© Russ Brown, 1998