ESVNow Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.
NIVNow Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
NASBNow Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there.
CSBNow Joseph had been taken to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guards, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.
NLTWhen Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
KJVAnd 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.
NKJVNow Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.
What does Genesis 39:1 mean?
This passage returns to the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his own brothers (Genesis 37:26–28). The focus has recently been on Judah (Genesis 38:1) by repeating the last update about Joseph: he was sold into service under Potiphar, the Egyptian captain of the guard. Potiphar would have been the man in charge of Pharaoh's palace soldiers. Pharaoh, at that time, was the title given to the Egyptian king. This makes Joseph's owner a powerful man in a powerful country.
Though Joseph has been taken from his home and family, God will continue to protect him and bless his efforts (Genesis 39:2).
