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Own a horse taken from a thief? What would that say about my honor?
―Potiphar.

Potiphar is the secondary antagonist-turned-tritagonist in the DreamWorks film, Joseph: King of Dreams. He is voiced by James Eckhouse.

Background[]

Personality[]

Potiphar treats Joseph kindly at first, and is a good master to his slaves. He is, however, a bit gullible since he believed his wife when she lied about Joseph trying to rape her. At first, he is angered by Zuleika's lies, but when she intervenes he more or less realizes what really happened.

He seems to be quite selfstrict, as he focuses a lot of his attention on keeping his reputation clean. This can be seen when he very nearly buys a horse from a false seller who tries to swindle him for a lot of money. The seller offers him his entire stable of horses as a compensation, but Potiphar rejects his offer and orders him arrested. This is again seen when he first orders Joseph to be executed after his wife claims to have been raped by Joseph. But as his wife intervenes, he realizes what actually happened, but having a reputation at stake, he changes the sentence to life in prison and Joseph is sent to prison.

Role in the film[]

Potiphar is Joseph's slave master and later friend. When his cruel wife Zuleika lies to him that Joseph tried to rape her, he is very angry and orders Joseph to be executed. However, Zuleika intervenes and Potiphar more or less realizes the truth. Instead, he has Joseph thrown into prison. Later, he is ordered by the Pharaoh to let Joseph out of prison. He apologizes to Joseph and is forgiven. He then presents him to the Pharaoh. He is also present at Joseph and Asenath's wedding. Potiphar is later seen helping take care of the land during the seven years of abundance, and recording the people taking grain during the seven years of famine. Potiphar is also in the scene where Joseph and his brothers reconcile.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • In the Bible, Asenath was actually his daughter rather than his niece. In the movie, it's never explained how Asenath is his niece; like, if she's actually related to him or if she's only his niece by marriage (Asenath could be the daughter of the sibling of his wife).

Navigation[]

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The-prince-of-egypt-50945689d919b
Media
Films: The Prince of EgyptJoseph: King of Dreams

Books: Read-Along

Characters
Main Characters: MosesKing Rameses IITzipporahAaronMiriamGod

Minor Characters: AmunBakaDathanHotep and HuyJacobJethroJethro's daughtersJoshuaKahmaNefretiriNeriaSheti IShepherdsThe Angel of DeathTuyaYochevedSlaves of Egypt
Prequel Characters: JosephPotipharAsenathJacobJacob's sonsRachelZuleikaRameses IButlerBakerWolves

See also
Locations: Egypt (Mount Sinai)

Songs: All I Ever Wanted (Reprise) • Deliver UsI Will Get TherePlaying With the Big Boys NowThe PlaguesThrough Heaven's EyesWhen You Believe
Cast: Prequel Characters: Ben Affleck (Joseph) • Jodi Benson (Asenath) • Jeff Bennett (Levi) • Rene Auberjonois (Butler) • Dan Castellaneta (additional voices) • Debi Derryberry (additional voices)
Crew: Bill DamaschkeDuncan MarjoribanksHarry Gregson-WilliamsNick FletcherRupert Gregson-Williams

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