And the Midianites sold him] See Annot. on 5: 28. an officer] The word in the Originall is an Eunuch, that is, a gelded man, Isaiah 56. vers. 3, 4. but it is not like that Potiphar was so, for he had a wife, Genesis 39:9. And some say a daughter also married to Joseph, but that is an errour: See Annot. on Chap. 41. vers. 45. And because Eunuches were Chamberlaines to the Kings women, Esther 2:3. and consequently Courtiers, and those Courtiers employed sometimes in other offices, the name Eunuch came to be a name of Court honour, or office, and so to be given to some who were perfect men and not gelded, as Eunuches were; such a one might Potiphar be in this place. captaine of the guard] According to the Hebrew (as the Marginall reading hath it) it is one who is chiefe of the slaughtermen; and the word put for a slaughter-man, is sometimes taken for a cook, as 1 Samuel 9:23. because the same man many times killed the meat he dressed, and in some places the Butchers office and the Cooks met in one, the slaughter-house being a neere neighbour to the kitchin; in this place it may be a Captain of the guard, or fence; the Greeke word Magirenein, which properly is to play the Cooke, is used for to kill, and from killing of beasts and fowles, &c. it is made a Military word and put for killing of men: in this place the words rendred captaine of the guard, may be a Provost Marshall, or, chiefe Marshall, so it is in the Margvariat. in 2 Kings 25:8. or such a one as was of chief Authority over the custodie of malefactors, and was to see execution done upon them, when they were to be put to death, as a Sheriffe with us. He was fitly disposed of by the Divine providence, that of a sonne being made a slave by his brethren, he might by his Mistresses love, and hate (for he had both by turnes,) and by his Masters jealousie and authoritie be made a prisoner, and of a prisoner a Ruler, that the goodnesse of God might appeare more powerfull then the wickednesse of men; (whereof in Josephs case there is cleare evidence, for his honour was manyfold more then his humbling, for he was in a contemptible condition but thirteene yeares, and fourescore yeares in an honourable estate) and that his children might have faith for the fulfilling of his prophecies, and promises, not onely without the helpes of humane meanes, but against them.