According to the Hebrew Bible, Potiphera (/pɒˈtɪfərə/, Hebrew: פּוֹטִי פֶרַע, romanized: Poṭi-p̄eraʿ) was a priest of the ancient Egyptian town of On, 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.
His name means "he whom Ra has given".
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. A Jewish legend makes him the same person as Potiphar, whose wife was in love with Joseph and whose false accusation got him thrown in prison.
References
- The Open court, Volume 27. Harry Houdini Collection (Library of Congress).
- 41:50
- ^ 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.
- Legends of Old Testament characters from the Talmud and other sources by Sabine Baring-Gould