Topical Encyclopedia Poti'phera is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Poti'phera is identified as the priest of On, an ancient city in Egypt, also known as Heliopolis. His name, Poti'phera, is of Egyptian origin and is thought to mean "he whom Ra has given," reflecting the religious and cultural context of ancient Egypt, where Ra was a prominent deity.Biblical References: Poti'phera is mentioned in Genesis 41:45 and Genesis 41:50. In Genesis 41:45, Pharaoh gives Joseph a new name, Zaphenath-Paneah, and marries him to Asenath, the daughter of Poti'phera. This marriage signifies Joseph's integration into Egyptian society and his rise to a position of power as the second-in-command to Pharaoh. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt" (Genesis 41:45). In Genesis 41:50, Poti'phera is again mentioned in the context of Joseph's family life: "Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On" (Genesis 41:50). These sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, would later become significant figures in the history of Israel, with their descendants forming two of the tribes of Israel. Historical and Cultural Context: Poti'phera's role as the priest of On places him within the religious hierarchy of ancient Egypt. On, or Heliopolis, was a major center for the worship of the sun god Ra. As a priest, Poti'phera would have been a person of considerable influence and status, which is reflected in the marriage alliance with Joseph, a foreigner who had risen to prominence in Egypt. The marriage of Joseph to Asenath, Poti'phera's daughter, is significant in the biblical narrative as it illustrates the providential care and favor of God in Joseph's life, despite his earlier hardships. It also highlights the theme of God's sovereignty in using Joseph's position to preserve the lineage of Israel during a time of famine. Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, the mention of Poti'phera and his connection to Joseph underscores the theme of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Joseph's rise to power and his marriage into an influential Egyptian family demonstrate God's ability to work through diverse circumstances and people to achieve His divine purposes. The inclusion of Poti'phera in the narrative serves to emphasize the broader scope of God's plan, which extends beyond the immediate family of Jacob to include interactions with the surrounding nations. Poti'phera's presence in the biblical account also serves as a reminder of the cultural and religious diversity present in the ancient world, and how God's people were often called to navigate these complexities while remaining faithful to their covenantal identity. Strong's Hebrew 6319. Poti Phera -- Joseph's father-in-lawPoti Phera. 6318, 6319. Poti Phera. 6320 . Joseph's father-in-law. Transliteration: Poti Phera Phonetic Spelling: (po-tee feh'-rah ... /hebrew/6319.htm - 6k Library Joseph and his Brethren Joseph, the Prime Minister Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren Thesaurus Poti-phera (3 Occurrences)Poti-phera. Poti'phera, Poti-phera. Potipherah . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia POTI-PHERA. po-tif'-e-ra (poTiphera`; Egyptian ... /p/poti-phera.htm - 8k Poti'phera (3 Occurrences) Potiphera (3 Occurrences) Manasseh (140 Occurrences) Zaph'enath-pane'ah (1 Occurrence) Zaphnath-paaneah (1 Occurrence) Manas'seh (123 Occurrences) Potipherah (3 Occurrences) Throughout (291 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Poti'phera (3 Occurrences)Genesis 41:45 Genesis 41:50 Genesis 46:20 Subtopics Related Terms Zaph'enath-pane'ah (1 Occurrence) Zaphenath-paneah (1 Occurrence) |
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