Potipherah

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]

Joseph and Asenath together on this image in Berlin. Man depicted close to them may be Potipherah.

His name means "he whom Ra has given".[3]

Biblical source

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.

— Genesis 41:45

Theories

It has been suggested that Potipherah was a prince, not only a priest.[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
  1. The Open court, Volume 27. Harry Houdini Collection (Library of Congress).
  2. 41:50
  3. Smith, William (1865). A Concise Dictionary of the Bible for the Use of Families and Students. John Murray. p. 747. OCLC 31387564.
  4. Legends of Old Testament characters from the Talmud and other sources by Sabine Baring-Gould
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