Potipherah

According to the Hebrew Bible, Potiphera (/pɒˈtɪfərə/, Hebrew: פּוֹטִי פֶרַע, romanized: Poṭi-p̄eraʿ‍) 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 the 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 Potiphera.

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

Biblical source

Pharaoh then gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him for a wife Asenath daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On. Thus Joseph emerged in charge of the land of Egypt.

— Genesis 41:45

Theories

It has been noted that Potipherah served as a priest in Ra's most important cult center.^[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. Hoffmeier, James K. (1999). Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition. Oxford University Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-19-976123-4.
4. Legends of Old Testament characters from the Talmud and other sources by Sabine Baring-Gould