Poti-phera is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. His name, Poti-phera, is of Egyptian origin and is often understood to mean "he whom Ra has given," reflecting the Egyptian practice of theophoric names that incorporate the names of deities.

Biblical References:

Poti-phera is introduced in Genesis 41:45, where he is identified as the priest of On, an ancient city also known as Heliopolis, which was a major center of worship for the sun god Ra. The Berean Standard Bible 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."

Role and Significance:

Poti-phera's primary significance in the biblical narrative is his connection to Joseph through his daughter, Asenath. Pharaoh, recognizing Joseph's wisdom and divine insight, elevates him to a position of high authority in Egypt and gives him Asenath as a wife. This marriage serves to integrate Joseph into Egyptian society and further solidifies his status and influence in the land.

The mention of Poti-phera as the priest of On highlights the intersection of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures within the narrative. On, or Heliopolis, was a prominent religious center dedicated to the worship of Ra, the sun god, and Poti-phera's role as a priest would have made him a significant religious figure in Egyptian society.

Cultural and Religious Context:

The marriage of Joseph to Asenath, the daughter of an Egyptian priest, is noteworthy within the context of the Hebrew patriarchal narratives. It illustrates the providential unfolding of God's plan, as Joseph's rise to power in Egypt ultimately leads to the preservation of his family during a time of famine. Despite the potential cultural and religious differences, Joseph's marriage to Asenath is portrayed positively, suggesting a harmonious integration that serves God's purposes.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Poti-phera in the Genesis account underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. Joseph's journey from slavery to rulership in Egypt, facilitated by his marriage to Asenath, demonstrates God's ability to work through diverse circumstances and people to achieve His divine plan. The narrative also foreshadows the eventual sojourn of the Israelites in Egypt, setting the stage for the later Exodus event.

In summary, Poti-phera, though a minor character in the biblical text, plays a crucial role in the larger narrative of Joseph's life and the unfolding of God's redemptive history. His position as a priest of On and father-in-law to Joseph highlights the complex interplay between Hebrew and Egyptian cultures and the overarching theme of divine providence.POTI-PHERA

po-tif'-e-ra (poTi phera`; Egyptian Padipara, "the (one) given of the sun-god"; compare Hebrew Nathaniel, "the gift of God," Genesis 41:45, 50; Genesis 46:20): There is no certain evidence from Egypt that this name was in existence until the XXIInd Dynasty, about 950 B.C. But names of the Hyksos period, and, indeed, any kind of Hyksos inscriptions, are so scarce on account of the destruction of Hyksos monuments by the Egyptians of later times that the absence of such names is really no evidence on the subject. The fact that this name has not been discovered earlier than 950 B.C. does not give any warrant for the claim that the narrative is of a late date.

M. G. Kyle

6319. Poti Phera -- Joseph's father-in-law
Poti Phera. 6318, 6319. Poti Phera. 6320 . Joseph's father-in-law. Transliteration:
Poti Phera Phonetic Spelling: (po-tee feh'-rah) Short Definition: Potiphera ...
/hebrew/6319.htm - 6k

Chapter xli
... Egypt. And Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and gave him
a wife Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... Egypt. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him
to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

A Prisoner who Became a Mighty Ruler
... 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 wife Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prisoner who became a.htm

Joseph, the Prime Minister
... completed by his marriage to Asenath (supposed to mean 'One belonging to the goddess
Neith'), a daughter of a high officer of state, Poti-phera (meaning, like ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/joseph the prime minister.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... He gave to him a wife named Asenath, daughter of Poti-phera, priest of
Eliopoleos. Joseph went forth then into the land of Egypt. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

Chapter xlvi
... And there were born unto Joseph in the land of Egypt (sons), whom Asenath, the daughter
of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him, Manasseh and Ephraim. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... When the children of Israel were in Egypt, the Egyptian priest Potiphera lived here,
and had in his house Asenath (the daughter of Dinah of the Shechemites ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Potiphera (3 Occurrences)
... po-tif'-e-ra (poTiphera`; Egyptian Padipara, "the (one) given of the sun-god";
compare Hebrew Nathaniel, "the gift of God," Genesis 41 ...Potiphera (3 Occurrences ...
/p/potiphera.htm - 8k

Poti-phera (3 Occurrences)
... the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On ... were
born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera priest of ...
/p/poti-phera.htm - 8k

Poti'phera (3 Occurrences)
Poti'phera. Potiphera, Poti'phera. Poti-phera . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Potiphera, Poti'phera. Poti-phera . Reference Bible.
/p/poti'phera.htm - 7k

Asenath (3 Occurrences)
... ASENATH. as'-e-nath (Aseneth): The wife of Joseph, daughter of Potiphera, mother
of Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 41:45, 50; Genesis 46:20). ...
/a/asenath.htm - 8k

As'enath (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. ...
/a/as'enath.htm - 7k

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. ...
/d/daughter.htm - 43k

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)
... eider of Joseph's two sons by Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera, priest of ... were
born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of ...
/m/manasseh.htm - 68k

Zaph'enath-pane'ah (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave
him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On. ...
/z/zaph'enath-pane'ah.htm - 6k

Zaphenath-paneah (1 Occurrence)
... 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. ...
/z/zaphenath-paneah.htm - 7k

Zaphnath-paaneah (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh gave Joseph the name of Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave
him Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera, the priest of On, to be his wife. ...
/z/zaphnath-paaneah.htm - 8k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus