Topical Encyclopedia
Asenath is a significant yet somewhat enigmatic figure in the biblical narrative, primarily mentioned in the Book of Genesis. She is best known as the wife of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, and the mother of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Her account is intertwined with the broader narrative of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and the preservation of the Israelites during a time of famine.
Biblical ReferencesAsenath is introduced in
Genesis 41:45, where Pharaoh gives her in marriage to Joseph after he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is appointed as the second-in-command over Egypt. The verse states: "Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt" (
Genesis 41:45). This union is significant as it marks Joseph's full integration into Egyptian society and his acceptance by the ruling class.
Asenath's role as the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim is noted in
Genesis 41:50-52: "Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, 'God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.' And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'" . These names reflect Joseph's journey from suffering to prosperity and the divine providence he experienced in Egypt.
Cultural and Historical ContextAsenath's background as the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On (also known as Heliopolis), places her within the religious and cultural elite of ancient Egypt. On was a major center of worship for the sun god Ra, and her father's position would have been one of considerable influence. This connection highlights the blending of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures in Joseph's life and the broader narrative of God's people interacting with surrounding nations.
Theological SignificanceFrom a theological perspective, Asenath's marriage to Joseph can be seen as part of God's providential plan to preserve the lineage of Israel. Through this union, Joseph's family is established in Egypt, setting the stage for the eventual growth of the Israelite nation. Her sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, are later adopted by Jacob as his own, becoming two of the tribes of Israel (
Genesis 48:5). This adoption underscores the importance of Asenath's role in the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant.
Extra-Biblical TraditionsIn later Jewish and Christian traditions, Asenath's account is expanded upon in various apocryphal writings, such as "Joseph and Asenath," a text that explores her conversion to the worship of the God of Israel. While not part of the canonical scriptures, these writings reflect the enduring interest in her character and the themes of faith and integration they represent.
Asenath's presence in the biblical narrative, though brief, is pivotal in the unfolding account of God's people. Her marriage to Joseph and her role as the mother of two tribes of Israel highlight the complex interplay of faith, culture, and divine purpose in the biblical account.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Asenathperil; misfortune
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Asenath(worshipper of Neith), daughter of Potipherah, priest, or possibly prince, of On [POTIPHERAH, OR POTIPHERAH], wife of Joseph, (Genesis 41:45) and mother of Manasseh and Ephraim. (Genesis 41:50;46:20) (B.C. 1715.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AsenathDaughter of Potipherag, priest or prince of On; given in marriage by Pharaoh to Joseph, as adding honor and strength to his high office. She was the mother of Iphraim and Manasseh,Genesis 41:45; 46:20.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An Egyptian name, meaning "gift of the sun-god", daughter of Potipherah, priest of On or Heliopolis, wife of Joseph (
Genesis 41:45). She was the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim (50-52;
46:20).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASENATHas'-e-nath (Aseneth): The wife of Joseph, daughter of Potiphera, mother of Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 41:45, 50;Genesis 46:20). She was evidently an Egyptian woman and bore an Egyptian name. '-c-n-t, pointed by the Massoretes as 'acenath, appears in the Septuagint as aseneth or asenneth. The last two consonants appear to represent the name of the Egyptian goddess Neith. The first part of the name will then represent either ns = "belonging to" (so Brugsch and generally), or 'ws-n (note the doubled "n" in the Septuagint transcription) = "she belongs to" (so Spiegelberg). It is possible that these four letters represent the Egyptian name Sn-t (so Lieblein and others), though the 'aleph (') must then be explained as 'aleph prostheticum and the taw (t) would be less regular than a he (h) to stand for the Egyptian feminine t.
J. Oscar Boyd
Strong's Hebrew
621.Asenath -- perhaps "belonging to Neith," the wife of Joseph... 620, 621.
Asenath. 622 . perhaps "belonging to Neith," the wife of Joseph.
Transliteration:
Asenath Phonetic Spelling: (aw-se-nath') Short Definition:
Asenath...Library
Joseph, the Prime Minister
... Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him
to wifeAsenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On....
The Theology of Holiness
... TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER AND MOTHER, DOUGAN ANDASENATH CLARK, BOTH FOR MANY YEARS
APPROVED MINISTERS IN THE FRIENDS' CHURCH, AND BOTH LONG SINCE DEPARTED TO...
How Joseph when He was Become Famous in Egypt, had his Brethren in...
... married a wife of very high quality; for he married the daughter of Petephres,
[4] one of the priests of Heliopolis; she was a virgin, and her name wasAsenath...
Joseph and his Brethren
... Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him
to wifeAsenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On....
Chapter xli
... Egypt. And Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and gave him
a wifeAsenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On....
Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book...
... (7) Leah, Gen.29:16ff. (8) Dinah, Gen.30:21; 34:11. (9) Adah, Gen.36:2. (10)Asenath,
Gen.41:45. (11) Shiphrah and Puah, Ex.1:15. (12) Jehochebed, Ex.6:20....
A Prisoner who Became a Mighty Ruler
... I am Pharaoh, but without your consent no man shall lift up his hand or his foot
in all the land of Egypt." Pharaoh gave him as a wifeAsenath, the daughter of...
Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... He gave to him a wife namedAsenath, daughter of Poti-phera, priest of
Eliopoleos. Joseph went forth then into the land of Egypt....
Introduction.
... our Apocrypha; the Life of Adam; the Revelation of Adam; the Repentance of Adam;
the Daughters of Adam; the Gospel of Eve; the Story ofAsenath, Joseph's wife...
Chapter xlvi
... And there were born unto Joseph in the land of Egypt (sons), whomAsenath, the daughter
of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him, Manasseh and Ephraim....
Thesaurus
Asenath (3 Occurrences)... She was the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim (50-52; 46:20). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
ASENATH.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Asenath (3 Occurrences).
...Potipherah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A priest of On, whose daughterAsenath became Joseph's
wife (Genesis 41:45). Multi-Version Concordance Potipherah (3 Occurrences)....
As'enath (3 Occurrences)
As'enath.Asenath, As'enath. Aser . Multi-Version Concordance As'enath
(3 Occurrences). Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name...
Poti-phera (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave
him to wifeAsenath, the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On....
Potiphera (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah; and he gave him
Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife....
Poti-pherah (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him
for a wifeAsenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On: and Joseph went...
Poti'phera (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave
him to wifeAsenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On....
Daughter (320 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah; and he gave him
Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife....
Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... EPHRAIM (1). e'-fra-im, e'-fra-im ('ephrayim, "double fruit"): 1. The Patriarch:
The younger of the two sons of Joseph andAsenath, born in Egypt....
Manasseh (140 Occurrences)
... ma-nas'-e (menashsheh, "causing to forget"; compare Genesis 41:51; Man(n)asse):
(1) The firstborn of Joseph byAsenath, daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On....
Resources
Who were the priests of On? Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Manasseh in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Zaphenath-Paneah in Genesis 41:45? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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