Asenath is a feminine name from the Old Testament, best known as the Egyptian wife of Joseph. Her name is of Ancient Egyptian origin and is commonly believed to mean "belonging to the goddess Neith," reflecting the fusion of the Egyptian goddess Neith with a possessive element. Etymology and Meaning The name Asenath derives from the Egyptian root likely associated with Neith, the goddess of war, hunting, and weaving. Neith‘s name, in turn, possibly comes from an Egyptian word for "water" or "fear." The compound form suggests her identity as a devotee of the goddess, underscoring the polytheistic context of pre-exilic Egypt. Biblical Narrative In the Book of Genesis (41:45, 50-52), Asenath is introduced as the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On (Heliopolis). She is given in marriage to Joseph by Pharaoh and becomes the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim, two sons who later become patriarchs of Israelite tribes. Joseph calls his firstborn Manasseh ("making me forget") and his second Ephraim ("fruitful"), reflecting God‘s blessing. Asenath thus plays a crucial role in the lineage of the twelve tribes. Religious Interpretations Rabbinic literature presents two divergent traditions. According to one view, Asenath was a native Egyptian who sincerely converted to Judaism before marriage, exemplified as a pious convert. Another tradition holds that she was Jacob’s granddaughter through Dinah, abandoned at the Egyptian border and miraculously raised by the priest Potiphera. In this reading, Joseph unknowingly married his own kinswoman, a myth popularized in legends like the "Prayer of Asenath" (Hellenistic text). Variant Forms The name appears in numerous transcriptions: 'Asnat in Biblical Hebrew, Asenneth in Greek, Aseneth in Latin, and Osnat in modern Hebrew. The English tradition perpetuates the Greek-influenced spelling tied directly to the biblical text. Notable Bearers Although unique in scripture, Asenath appears rarely in Western onomastics. Literary and pop-culture uses dominate, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1859 novel The Minister‘s Wooing and more recent children‘s fiction, though no prominent historical figure bears the name. Cultural and Depictive Legacy Asenath has inspired works of art, literature, and music. Jewish and Christian interpretive traditions also ruminate on her background (e.g. Josephus describes her as a virtuous Egyptian woman). The Hellenistic novel Joseph and Asenath stages her conversion and marriage moralistically. Meaning: "Belonging to the goddess Neith"Origin: Ancient Egyptian (via Biblical Hebrew & Greek)Type: Feminine given nameUsage Regions: Biblical, subsequently Christian & Jewish spheresIn Bible: Wife of Joseph (Gen 41–46)