Asenath
Egyptian Wife of Joseph
Egyptian wife of Joseph — mother of Manasseh and Ephraim, two tribes of Israel.
Genesis 41:45 records that Pharaoh gave Joseph Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On for a wife. She bore him Manasseh and Ephraim before the famine.
Her Story
When Pharaoh exalted Joseph over all Egypt, he gave him an Egyptian wife of priestly family. She bore Manasseh ('forgetting') and Ephraim ('fruitful') — names that mark Joseph's reconciliation with his suffering. Jacob later adopted both sons as his own, placing them among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48).
What Scripture Teaches
- 1Egyptian wife given to Joseph by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:45)
- 2Daughter of Potipherah priest of On (Heliopolis)
- 3Mother of Manasseh and Ephraim (41:50-52)
- 4Her sons adopted by Jacob as tribes of Israel (48:5)
Key KJV Scriptures
"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. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh... and the name of the second called he Ephraim..."
Why It Matters
Through a Gentile wife, two of the most prominent tribes of Israel came forth — a quiet foreshadowing of grace reaching the nations.
Application for Today
God grafts the unexpected into His people. The borders of His house are wider than ours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Asenath a believer?
Scripture is silent. Her household pedigree was pagan, but the names Joseph gave their sons confess his trust in the LORD's providence in Egypt.
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