We all know the broad strokes from the Torah: jealous brothers, a pit, some traders, and boom – he's in Potiphar's house. But the details… oh, the details are where the magic truly lies.
Let's rewind to that pivotal moment when Joseph is being sold off by the Ishmaelites. The Bible tells us they sold him, but it doesn’t give us the play-by-play. That’s where the legends step in to fill the gaps.
Imagine Potiphar's wife, a powerful woman used to getting what she wants. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, she was keenly interested in acquiring Joseph. She couldn’t just waltz over to the Ishmaelites herself. That wouldn't be proper. So, she sends a eunuch as her agent.
The first attempt doesn't go as planned. The Ishmaelites, those shrewd traders, are asking for a ridiculously high price. The eunuch returns, defeated. Can you picture the frustration? But Potiphar's wife? She's not giving up so easily.
She dispatches a second eunuch, this time with very specific instructions: "Don't haggle! Whatever they ask – one mina of gold, two minae – just pay it. Bring me that slave!" Now, a mina was a substantial sum, a considerable weight of precious metal. This wasn't a casual purchase.
The second eunuch, determined to succeed, manages to strike a deal. He hands over eighty pieces of gold for Joseph. But here's where it gets interesting. When he returns to his mistress, he inflates the price, claiming he paid a hundred pieces. Why? Perhaps to appear more diligent, or perhaps to pocket the difference.
And Joseph? He witnesses the deception. He sees the eunuch trying to scam his mistress. But what does he do? He stays silent. He keeps the secret, according to Legends of the Jews, so that the eunuch wouldn't be shamed. It's a small detail, but it speaks volumes about Joseph's character, even in this incredibly difficult situation. Sold into slavery, far from home, witnessing dishonesty… and yet, Joseph chooses compassion. He chooses to protect someone else's dignity, even at his own expense. It's a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, integrity and kindness can shine through.