Potiphar's wife

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Not given in the Hebrew text; she is identified by relationship (“Potiphar’s wife”), highlighting her social role in the narrative.
• Period/Era: Patriarchal Period
• Main References: Genesis 39:6–20
• Key Connections: Potiphar (husband, an Egyptian official); Joseph (Hebrew servant in their household)

Who was Potiphar's wife?

Potiphar’s wife was the wife of an Egyptian official who purchased Joseph as a slave.
She is portrayed as repeatedly seeking sexual relations with Joseph while he served in their house.
After Joseph refused, she accused him of assault, shaping the circumstances of his imprisonment.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: She pressed Joseph day after day to lie with her, but he refused out of loyalty to his master and fear of sin (Genesis 39:7–10).
• Event 2: She grabbed Joseph’s garment when he fled, leaving it in her hand as he ran outside (Genesis 39:11–13).
• Event 3: She reported Joseph to the household and to Potiphar as an attempted violator, resulting in Joseph being put in prison (Genesis 39:14–20).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Her story illustrates how misuse of power and false testimony can bring severe injustice within a household and society.

Key Verse

"Come to bed with me!" — Genesis 39:7, NIV