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.
Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name, Zaphnath-paaneah, and arranged for him to marry Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, who was a priest in the city of On. Then Joseph traveled throughout all of Egypt in his new position.
This verse shows Pharaoh fully establishing Joseph as an Egyptian leader by giving him an Egyptian name, an Egyptian wife, and authority over the entire land.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams about seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh was so impressed that he made Joseph second-in-command over all Egypt. The Egyptian name and marriage to a priest's daughter were ways of fully integrating Joseph into Egyptian society and legitimizing his authority.
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