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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Potipherah or Potipherah</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/p/potipherah_or_potipherah.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/41-45.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/p/potipherah.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Potipherah or Potipherah</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/p/poti-pherah.htm" title="Poti-pherah">◄</a> Potipherah or Potipherah <a href="/topical/naves/p/poti-pherah--joseph's_father-in-law.htm" title="Poti-Pherah: Joseph's Father-In-Law">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Potipherah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Potipherah is identified as the priest of On, an ancient city in Egypt, also known as Heliopolis. His name, Potipherah, means "he whom Ra has given," reflecting the Egyptian practice of naming individuals in honor of their deities, in this case, Ra, the sun god.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>Potipherah is mentioned in <a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Genesis 41:45</a> and <a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">Genesis 41:50</a>. In <a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Genesis 41:45</a>, Pharaoh gives Joseph a new name, Zaphenath-paneah, and arranges his marriage to Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah. 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:<br><br>"Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potipherah, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt." (<a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Genesis 41:45</a>)<br><br>In <a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">Genesis 41:50</a>, Potipherah is again mentioned in the context of Joseph's family life, as Asenath bears Joseph two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, before the years of famine arrive:<br><br>"Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potipherah, priest of On." (<a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">Genesis 41:50</a>)<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Context:</b><br><br>Potipherah's role as the priest of On places him in a significant religious and social position within ancient Egyptian society. On, or Heliopolis, was a major center for the worship of Ra, and its priests held considerable influence. The marriage alliance between Joseph and Asenath, Potipherah's daughter, would have been politically advantageous, further solidifying Joseph's status and acceptance in Egypt.<br><br>The mention of Potipherah 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 leadership, ultimately preserving the lineage of Israel during a time of widespread famine.<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, Potipherah's inclusion in the Genesis narrative serves to illustrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite Joseph's initial hardships, God orchestrates events to fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph's marriage to Asenath, facilitated by Potipherah, is part of the divine plan to save the nascent nation of Israel and ensure its future prosperity.<br><br>Potipherah's presence in the biblical account also reflects the broader theme of God's people interacting with surrounding nations and cultures. It demonstrates that God's purposes transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries, using individuals from diverse backgrounds to accomplish His will.<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Potipherah or Potipherah</span><p>was priest or prince of On, and his daughter Asenath was given Joseph to wife by Pharaoh. (<a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Genesis 41:45,50</a>; <a href="/genesis/46-20.htm">46:20</a>) (B.C. 1715.)<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/various/the_testaments_of_the_twelve_patriarchs/xi_the_testament_of_joseph_concerning.htm"><span class="l">The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Ps. Jon. of Genesis 41:45, "And he gave him to wife Asenath, whom Dinah bare to<br> Shechem: and the wife of <b>Potipherah</b> prince of Tanes brought up.". <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm</font><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/p/potipherah.htm">Potipherah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/p/potipherah_or_potipherah.htm">Potipherah or Potipherah</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/poti-pherah.htm">Poti-pherah (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/asnath.htm">Asnath (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/poti-phera.htm">Poti-phera (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pots.htm">Pots (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bare.htm">Bare (250 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/borne.htm">Borne (172 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zaphnathpaaneah.htm">Zaphnathpaaneah (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/asenath.htm">Asenath (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph (248 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/giveth.htm">Giveth (378 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/calleth.htm">Calleth (261 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt (596 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/p/poti-pherah.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Poti-pherah"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Poti-pherah" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/p/poti-pherah--joseph's_father-in-law.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Poti-Pherah: Joseph's Father-In-Law"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Poti-Pherah: Joseph's Father-In-Law" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>