Asenath
femalePatriarchalMeaning: “Belonging to (the goddess) Neith”
The Egyptian wife of Joseph, daughter of the priest of On, and mother of Manasseh and Ephraim — two of the tribes of Israel.
Biography
Asenath was the Egyptian wife given to Joseph by Pharaoh, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On (Heliopolis). Though she appears only briefly, she is the mother of two tribes of Israel.
Wife of the governor
When Pharaoh exalted Joseph over all Egypt, he gave him Asenath in marriage as a sign of his new status (Genesis 41:45). Through her, the once-enslaved Hebrew was joined to Egypt's priestly nobility.
Mother of two tribes
Before the years of famine, Asenath bore Joseph two sons — Manasseh ("for God… hath made me forget all my toil") and Ephraim ("for God hath caused me to be fruitful") (Genesis 41:50–52). Jacob later adopted both boys as his own, so that Asenath's sons each became a full tribe of Israel (Genesis 48:5), a remarkable place for a foreign woman in the story of God's people.
Life Timeline
Given to Joseph in marriage by Pharaoh
Bears Manasseh and Ephraim
On the Bible timeline
Asenath belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Asenath
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Asenath appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
3 verses in 1 bookGenesis3 verses
Genesis 41:45
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Zaphnathpaaneah: which in the Coptic signifies, A revealer of secrets, or, The man to whom secrets are revealed priest: or, prince
Genesis 41:50
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. priest: or, prince
Genesis 46:20
And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. priest: or, prince
Frequently asked about Asenath
Who was Asenath in the Bible?
The Egyptian wife of Joseph, daughter of the priest of On, and mother of Manasseh and Ephraim — two of the tribes of Israel.
What does the name Asenath mean?
The name Asenath means “Belonging to (the goddess) Neith”.
Who were Asenath's children?
Asenath's children include Manasseh, Ephraim.
Where does Asenath appear in the Bible?
Asenath is mentioned 3 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Asenath?
The story of Asenath touches on themes of economics, captive, egypt, jacob — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Asenath's life.
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