Genesis 46:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 46:20 mean?

Genesis 46:20 states that Joseph, while living in Egypt, had two sons named Manasseh and Ephraim, whose mother was Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, a priest of On. This verse lists Joseph’s immediate family born to him during his time in Egypt.

Genesis 46:20 appears in a section where the descendants of Jacob (Israel) are being listed as they come to settle in Egypt during a famine. The verse gives specific attention to Joseph’s family, noting not only his sons but also their mother’s heritage, which connects Joseph’s family to Egyptian society through Asenath and her father, a religious leader in On (a major Egyptian city).

The Hebrew behind Genesis 46:20

• מְנַשֶּׁה (Menashsheh): This is the Hebrew name for Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn. The name is often understood as “causing to forget,” which ties back to Joseph’s earlier statement about forgetting his troubles.
• אֶפְרַיִם (Ephrayim): This is the Hebrew name for Ephraim, Joseph’s second son. The name is often linked to “fruitfulness,” reflecting Joseph’s prosperity in Egypt.
• אָסְנַת (Asenath): Asenath is the Egyptian wife of Joseph. The verse highlights her as the daughter of Potipherah, which shows Joseph’s integration into Egyptian society.
• פוֹטִי פֶרַע (Potiphera): Potipherah is described as a priest (כֹּהֵן, kohen) of On. This detail shows that Joseph’s sons had both Hebrew and Egyptian heritage, which would later have significance in Israel’s history.

Why Genesis 46:20 matters

• Genesis 46:20 clarifies that Joseph’s children were born in Egypt and had an Egyptian mother, which becomes important for understanding their identity and later roles among the tribes of Israel.
• The verse connects Joseph’s family to the Egyptian priestly class, highlighting how Joseph’s life bridged Hebrew and Egyptian worlds.
• By naming both sons and their mother, the verse sets up the later adoption of Manasseh and Ephraim by Jacob, which impacts the structure of the tribes of Israel in the rest of the Bible.