Genesis 39:1

WEB

Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there.

KJV

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.

Commentary

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt,.... By the Ishmaelites, Gen 37:28 ; as in a following clause: and Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Eg yptian; as his name also shows, which signifies the fruit of Pot or Phut, that is, the son or grandson of one of that name (m); which might be common in Egypt, since it was the name of a son of Ham, Gen 10:6 , from whom the land of Egypt is called the land of Ham, Psa 105:23 ; of this man and his offices; see Gill on Gen 37:36 , he bought him: that is, "Joseph": of the hands of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down thither; what they gave for him we know, but what they sold him for to Potiphar is not said; no doubt they got a good price for him, and his master had a good bargain too, as appears by what follows. (m) Onomastic. Sacr. p. 671, 672.