Asenath was an aristocratic Egyptian woman described in the Book of Genesis. As the wife of Joseph, she was the mother of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who became ancestors of two tribes of Israel. Depending on the tradition, she is identified as the daughter of Potipherah, a priest of On, or as a descendant of Jacob through Dinah. Her significance in religious history stems from her role in the lineage of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Historical accounts
Biblical texts identify her as a high-born woman provided to Joseph by the Pharaoh. Some Rabbinic interpretations suggest she was an Egyptian who converted to Judaism to marry Joseph, serving as an example of devotion. Other traditions claim she was a member of Jacob's family, born to Dinah, which would link her directly to the Israelite lineage through a complex and controversial origin story.
Legacy and depictions
Her name may originate from an Egyptian phrase meaning she belongs to the goddess Neith. She is featured in various religious writings, including the apocryphal Book of Jubilees and the Greek text Joseph and Aseneth. Her historical importance is tied to her children, whose names became the names of two prominent Israelite tribes.