Potiphera is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Potiphera is identified as the priest of On, an ancient Egyptian city also known as Heliopolis. His name, Potiphera, means "he whom Ra has given," reflecting the Egyptian practice of theophoric names that honor their deities, in this case, Ra, the sun god.

Biblical References:

Potiphera is primarily mentioned in Genesis 41:45 and Genesis 41:50. In Genesis 41:45, Pharaoh gives Joseph a new name, Zaphenath-Paneah, and arranges his marriage to Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera. This marriage signifies Joseph's integration into Egyptian society and his rise to power as the second-in-command to Pharaoh. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:45)

In Genesis 41:50, Potiphera is again mentioned in the context of Joseph's family life in Egypt:

"Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On." (Genesis 41:50)

Historical and Cultural Context:

Potiphera's role as the priest of On places him in a significant religious and cultural position within ancient Egyptian society. On, or Heliopolis, was a major center for the worship of Ra, and its priests were influential figures. The marriage of Joseph to Asenath, Potiphera's daughter, would have been a strategic alliance, further solidifying Joseph's status and acceptance in Egypt.

The mention of Potiphera highlights the intersection of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures during Joseph's time. It underscores the providential hand of God in Joseph's life, as he navigates his journey from slavery to becoming a powerful leader in a foreign land. Potiphera's connection to Joseph through Asenath also serves to integrate Joseph's Hebrew heritage with his Egyptian experience, as seen in the birth of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who would later become significant figures in the tribes of Israel.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Potiphera's inclusion in the Genesis narrative emphasizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Joseph's rise to power and his marriage into an Egyptian priestly family demonstrate God's ability to work through diverse circumstances and people to achieve His divine purposes. Potiphera's role, though minor in the biblical text, is part of the larger narrative of God's redemptive plan for His people, as Joseph's leadership ultimately leads to the preservation of the Israelites during a time of famine.

Potiphera's account, while brief, is a testament to the intricate ways in which God orchestrates events and relationships to bring about His will, using even those outside the covenant community to bless and sustain His chosen people.Potiphera

Belonging to the sun, the priest of On, city of the sun, whose daughter Asenath was the wife of Joseph, Genesis 41:45. The name is found, in various forms, on ancient Egyptian monuments.

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

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

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)
... late date. MG Kyle. Multi-Version Concordance Potiphera (3 Occurrences).
Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah ...
/p/potiphera.htm - 8k

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

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

Joseph's (36 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. ...
/j/joseph's.htm - 17k

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:20 To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom
Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. (See RSV). ...
/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k

Potiphar (4 Occurrences)
... POTIPHAR. pot'-i-far (poTiphar; compare Egyptian Potiphera (Genesis 39:1 f)):
A high Egyptian official who became the master of Joseph. ...
/p/potiphar.htm - 8k

Poti-phera (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came,
whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bare unto him. ...
/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

What is the meaning of Zaphenath-Paneah in Genesis 41:45? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the priests of On? Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Manasseh? | GotQuestions.org

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