Asenath

Asenath is the Egyptian wife of Joseph, given to him by Pharaoh at the moment of his elevation to second over Egypt. She is the daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On, and the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim.

The Marriage at Joseph's Elevation

When Pharaoh installs Joseph over Egypt, the marriage is part of the same act of investiture: "And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him as wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt" (Gen 41:45). The new Egyptian name and the marriage to a priestly daughter together place Joseph inside the structure of the Egyptian court.

Mother of Manasseh and Ephraim

Asenath bears Joseph's two sons before the famine years begin: "And to Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him" (Gen 41:50). The same parentage is recalled when Jacob's family enters Egypt: "And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On, bore to him" (Gen 46:20).

Through her, the two tribal heads of the Joseph line — Manasseh and Ephraim — trace their maternal descent from a priestly family of On.