Genesis 46:20 - To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 46:20" mean?
Genesis 46:20 is a simple statement of fact within the context of the larger narrative of Jacob's (Israel's) family migrating to Egypt. Let's break down its meaning:
"To Joseph in the land of Egypt": This establishes the setting. Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, has risen to a position of power and is living there.
"were born Manasseh and Ephraim": These are Joseph's two sons. They are important figures in their own right because they eventually become heads of two of the twelve tribes of Israel, even though their father wasn't one of Jacob's original sons.
"whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.": This identifies the mother of Joseph's sons. Asenath is described as the daughter of Potiphera (sometimes transliterated as Potipherah), who was a priest in the city of On. On was an ancient Egyptian city, also known as Heliopolis, a center for sun worship.
In Essence:
The verse tells us that while living in Egypt, Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, by his wife Asenath, who was the daughter of an Egyptian priest.
Significance:
Integration and Assimilation: This verse highlights the degree to which Joseph had integrated into Egyptian society. He married an Egyptian woman, and his children were half-Egyptian. This is a crucial point because it raises questions about the preservation of Jacob's family's distinct identity in a foreign land.
Lineage and Tribe Status: Manasseh and Ephraim's acceptance as heads of two tribes of Israel is a significant event. It shows that even those with mixed heritage could be fully incorporated into the covenant community. This likely happened because Joseph was so highly regarded for saving Egypt and the surrounding areas. Jacob adopted them into his family, giving them the same status as his own sons.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: God promised Abraham (Jacob's grandfather) that his descendants would be numerous and become a great nation. The birth of Manasseh and Ephraim is a step toward that fulfillment, even in a foreign land.
Narrative Transition: This verse contributes to the overall narrative of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for their eventual growth in numbers and their eventual enslavement and exodus.
Genesis 46:20 - To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.
What does "Genesis 46:20" mean?
Genesis 46:20 is a simple statement of fact within the context of the larger narrative of Jacob's (Israel's) family migrating to Egypt. Let's break down its meaning:
"To Joseph in the land of Egypt": This establishes the setting. Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, has risen to a position of power and is living there.
"were born Manasseh and Ephraim": These are Joseph's two sons. They are important figures in their own right because they eventually become heads of two of the twelve tribes of Israel, even though their father wasn't one of Jacob's original sons.
"whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him.": This identifies the mother of Joseph's sons. Asenath is described as the daughter of Potiphera (sometimes transliterated as Potipherah), who was a priest in the city of On. On was an ancient Egyptian city, also known as Heliopolis, a center for sun worship.
In Essence:
The verse tells us that while living in Egypt, Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, by his wife Asenath, who was the daughter of an Egyptian priest.
Significance:
Integration and Assimilation: This verse highlights the degree to which Joseph had integrated into Egyptian society. He married an Egyptian woman, and his children were half-Egyptian. This is a crucial point because it raises questions about the preservation of Jacob's family's distinct identity in a foreign land.
Lineage and Tribe Status: Manasseh and Ephraim's acceptance as heads of two tribes of Israel is a significant event. It shows that even those with mixed heritage could be fully incorporated into the covenant community. This likely happened because Joseph was so highly regarded for saving Egypt and the surrounding areas. Jacob adopted them into his family, giving them the same status as his own sons.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: God promised Abraham (Jacob's grandfather) that his descendants would be numerous and become a great nation. The birth of Manasseh and Ephraim is a step toward that fulfillment, even in a foreign land.
Narrative Transition: This verse contributes to the overall narrative of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for their eventual growth in numbers and their eventual enslavement and exodus.