Bible Strands
Genesis 41:45
Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pharaoh addresses Joseph in Egypt immediately after the dream interpretations, formally elevating him to supreme administrative authority over the entire kingdom.
The words — The text records Pharaoh calling Joseph by the new name Zaphenath-paneah (צָֽפְנַ֣ת פַּעְנֵחַ, tza.fe.Nat pa'.ne.aCh) and giving him Asenath as a wife. It also notes Joseph taking charge (וַ/יִּתֶּן, va/i.yi.ten) of all Egypt's territory.
The thread — This marriage and appointment are later referenced when Manasseh and Ephraim are born to Joseph in Egypt through Asenath (Genesis 46:20), and the city of On is noted in prophetic judgment (Ezekiel 30:17).
Why it lands — The passage establishes that divine provision is secured through political elevation and cultural integration, requiring the reader to recognize God's sovereignty operating through foreign authority and strategic alliances.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath–paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti–pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Cross-references
- Genesis 46:20 Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
- Exodus 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.
- Ezekiel 30:17 The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and those cities will go into captivity.
- Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
- 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
- 2 Samuel 20:26 and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.
- Luke 2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
- Acts 11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)