According to the Hebrew Bible, Potipherah (/pɒˈtɪfərə/, Hebrew: פּוֹטִי פֶרַע Pōṭī feraʿ) was a priest of the ancient Egyptian town of On,[1] mentioned in the Genesis 41:45 and 41:50. He was the father of Asenath, who was given to Joseph as his wife by Pharaoh, (41:45) and who bore Joseph two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim.[2]
His name means "he whom Ra has given".[3]
Biblical source
[edit]Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. Thus Joseph gained authority over the land of Egypt.
Theories
[edit]It has been noted that Potipherah served as a priest in Ra's most important cult center.[3] A Jewish legend makes him the same person as Potiphar, whose wife[4] was in love with Joseph and whose false accusation got him thrown in prison.
References
[edit]- ^ The Open court, Volume 27. Harry Houdini Collection (Library of Congress).
- ^ 41:50
- ^ a b Hoffmeier, James K. (1999). Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition. Oxford University Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-19-976123-4.
- ^ Legends of Old Testament characters from the Talmud and other sources by Sabine Baring-Gould