Asenath
Asenath, an Egyptian woman and daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, entered the biblical narrative when Pharaoh presented her as wife to Joseph, thereby linking the house of Israel with the land of Egypt in a profound way. From this marriage came the birth of Manasseh and Ephraim, sons whose tribal inheritance would one day shape the destiny of God's people in Canaan. Her story quietly illustrates the mysterious ways in which divine redemption incorporates outsiders into the covenant line, fulfilling promises that extend blessing to all nations through the offspring of Abraham.
Biography
- Occupation
- Wife of Joseph
- Father
- Potiphera
- Spouse
- Joseph
- Children
- Manasseh, Ephraim
- Era
- Patriarchal period
- Nationality
- Egyptian
Family
Did You Know?
Asenath's name likely derives from the Egyptian 'ns-nt' meaning 'belonging to Neith,' an ancient warrior goddess associated with weaving and hunting, underscoring her origins in Egypt's polytheistic priestly class before her sons entered Israel's covenant line.
Her father Potiphera served as priest of On (biblical name for Heliopolis), the premier center of Ra sun worship with its massive temple complex, positioning Asenath's marriage as a strategic alliance between a Semitic vizier and Egypt's religious elite.
Pharaoh personally arranged Asenath's marriage to Joseph in Genesis 41:45, granting her to him alongside authority over Egypt just prior to the seven years of plenty when their sons were born.
Asenath's sons received direct patriarchal adoption and blessing from Jacob in Genesis 48, with Ephraim placed above Manasseh to form two separate tribes, effectively doubling Joseph's inheritance despite their half-Egyptian maternal lineage.
Biblical records note that Asenath bore Manasseh and Ephraim before the famine years began, meaning their births occurred while Joseph administered Egypt's grain stores during a period of national prosperity.
Key Passages
Marriage to Joseph
Genesis 41:45
Pharaoh gives Asenath to Joseph as his wife.
45nd Pharaoh called Josephโs name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Birth of Sons
Genesis 41:50-52
Asenath bears Joseph's sons Manasseh and Ephraim.
50nd unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
Listed in Genealogy
Genesis 46:20
Asenath is named as the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim in the record of Jacob's family.
20nd unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.