Genesis 46:20 kjv

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.

Genesis 46:20 nkjv

And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.

Genesis 46:20 niv

In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.

Genesis 46:20 esv

And to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, bore to him.

Genesis 46:20 nlt

Joseph's sons, born in the land of Egypt, were Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother was Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 20 Meaning

This verse lists the two sons born to Joseph in Egypt before his family joined him: Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother is identified as Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. This signifies the continuation of Joseph's lineage and highlights the circumstances of their birth within an Egyptian, non-Israelite, and pagan context, underscoring God's provident hand in preserving and growing the chosen family.

Genesis 46 20 Context

Genesis chapter 46 records Jacob's journey to Egypt to reunite with Joseph and settle there during the famine. The chapter provides a comprehensive list of Jacob's descendants who came to Egypt, totaling seventy souls (excluding Joseph and his existing family in Egypt, but counting Manasseh and Ephraim among the total descendants of Jacob, confirming their full integration into the family). Verse 20 specifically places Manasseh and Ephraim as Joseph's existing sons born before Jacob's arrival, signifying the prior establishment of Joseph's own immediate family unit within Egypt.

Historically and culturally, Egypt was a dominant superpower with a highly structured society and deeply entrenched polytheistic religious systems. On, also known as Heliopolis, was one of ancient Egypt's most significant religious centers, dedicated to the worship of the sun god Ra. Joseph, as vizier, marries into a prominent priestly family, an extraordinary detail that highlights his complete assimilation into the highest levels of Egyptian society. While the Bible generally cautions against marrying foreign women, especially those with pagan practices, this instance with Joseph and Asenath is presented not with condemnation, but as part of God's overarching plan to position Joseph for the salvation of his family, ensuring the fulfillment of His covenant. The narrative's focus remains on the sons, who are later adopted and blessed by Jacob, demonstrating their inclusion and inheritance within Israel, rather than the dilution of the covenant line due to their mother's origin.

Genesis 46 20 Word analysis

• And to Joseph (וּלְיוֹסֵף, u·l'yo·seph): "Joseph" (יוֹסֵף, Yosef) means "He [God] adds" or "May he add." This reflects his mother Rachel's desire for another son (Gen 30:24) and his life's trajectory, which continually added to the survival and blessing of his family. The mention here emphasizes that despite his journey to Egypt, his line is central to Jacob's progeny.
• in the land of Egypt (בְאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, b'e·retz mitz·ra·yim): Specifically highlights the foreign location where these crucial births occurred, underlining Joseph's success and establishment in a pagan land through divine providence. "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם, Mitzrayim) signifies a powerful but often oppressive Gentile nation in biblical narrative.
• were born (יֻלַּד־לוֹ, yu·llad-lo): Literally "was born to him." Emphasizes the active aspect of birth, indicating that the lineage continued and multiplied as per God's promise.
• Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, Mᵉnassheh): Meaning "causing to forget" or "God has made me forget." Joseph named him reflecting that God made him forget his toil and his father's house (Gen 41:51), demonstrating his personal deliverance and emotional healing from past suffering.
• and Ephraim (וְאֶפְרַיִם, w'eph·ra·yim): Meaning "fruitful" or "doubly fruitful." Joseph named him acknowledging that God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction (Gen 41:52), celebrating divine provision and growth despite adversity. The names reveal Joseph's deep recognition of God's hand in his life.
• whom Asenath (אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה־לּוֹ אָסְנַת, asher yal·da-lo As·nath): "Asenath" (אָסְנַת, Asnath) is an Egyptian name, likely meaning "belonging to [the goddess] Neith" or "devoted to Neith." Neith was a prominent Egyptian goddess of weaving, war, and creation. Her name being of pagan origin is a significant detail, contrasting with the God-focused names in Jacob's family.
• the daughter of Potiphera (בַּת־פּוֹטִי פֶרַע, bath-pō·ti phe·raʿ): "Potiphera" (פּוֹטִי פֶרַע, Potipheraʿ) is also an Egyptian name, typically understood as "He whom Ra has given" or "Gift of Ra," referring to the Egyptian sun-god.
• priest of On (כֹּהֵן אֹן, kohen On): "Priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen) implies a significant religious and social standing. "On" (אֹן, On) is the Hebrew name for Heliopolis, a major center of sun worship (Ra) in ancient Egypt. Marrying into such a family integrated Joseph completely into the Egyptian religious and political establishment, yet paradoxically, it was through this seemingly unlikely union that part of Israel's future leadership would emerge.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • Manasseh and Ephraim: These two sons are unique in the Genesis narrative. While all of Jacob's sons become tribal heads, Joseph's portion is specifically split into two tribes through Jacob's adoption, effectively doubling Joseph's inheritance and impact (Gen 48:5-6). This duality foreshadows their immense tribal significance in Israel's history, often collectively representing the Northern Kingdom.
  • Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On: This detailed identification highlights the foreign, specifically Egyptian and pagan, lineage of Joseph's wife. It contrasts sharply with the preferred endogamous marriage patterns of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's earlier generations, where great care was taken to find wives from their own kin (Gen 24, 28). Yet, in God's sovereignty, this union, though seemingly against the patriarchal precedent, produced children who would be fully absorbed into the covenant people and play a vital role.

Genesis 46 20 Bonus section

The fact that Manasseh and Ephraim, born of an Egyptian mother, became full tribes of Israel and replaced Joseph's single tribal claim is a unique exception within Jacob's direct descendants. This dual tribal inheritance for Joseph symbolizes his preeminent blessing and his central role in the sustenance and growth of Israel in Egypt. This is particularly striking given that his mother was an Egyptian priestess's daughter; yet, through Jacob's adoptive act and divine foresight, these half-Egyptian sons fully became inheritors of the covenant promise. This highlights the themes of divine providence overcoming perceived obstacles and God's expansive grace, demonstrating that lineage is ultimately determined by God's choice and blessing.

Genesis 46 20 Commentary

Genesis 46:20 serves as a succinct record of a crucial stage in Joseph's life and, by extension, the burgeoning nation of Israel. It affirms the growth of the covenant people within a foreign land through Joseph's offspring. The naming of Manasseh ("causing to forget") and Ephraim ("fruitful") is deeply personal to Joseph, reflecting his processing of past hardships and his acknowledgment of God's abundant blessing despite them. These names demonstrate a profound understanding that his life's trajectory, from pits to palaces, was orchestrated by God, not happenstance or human effort alone.

The identification of their mother, Asenath, as the daughter of the "priest of On," adds significant contextual depth. This detail reveals Joseph's complete integration into Egyptian society, to the extent of marrying into the elite of the pagan religious establishment. Far from condemning Joseph for this union, the biblical text simply states it as a fact, demonstrating God's ability to work through unconventional circumstances to fulfill His purposes. It highlights His sovereign control even over choices that appear contradictory to ideal Israelite practices. This union ultimately results in two of the largest and most influential tribes of Israel, highlighting divine fruitfulness even in unexpected places. The adoption of Manasseh and Ephraim by Jacob in Genesis 48 solidifies their place, fully integrating them into the Israelite lineage and, critically, into the recipients of the Abrahamic blessing, further emphasizing God's preserving power for His covenant family.