Zaphnath-paaneah— The most probable interpretation of these words, is the revealer of secrets: the Chaldee targum has it, the man to whom secrets are revealed. And of the Greek versions cited in the Hexapla, one renders the words, a man that knoweth secrets; another, one to whom futurity is revealed; and a third, one to whom God hath revealed hidden things. St. Jerome asserts, that it signifies no less than the Saviour of the world; salvatorem mundi, as the Vulgate has it. Houbigant, who understands the Hebrew at least better, renders it arcanorum explanatorem, an explainer of secrets. It was a custom among the Eastern monarchs, to give new names to such foreigners as were inrolled among their subjects: thus did the king of Babylon to Daniel and his associates. It is usual with the Mogul, at this very day, when he invests a person with an office, to give him a name significant of some quality belonging to him.
Asenath, the daughter of Poti-pherah— A different person from Potiphar, though some have strangely confounded them. This person was priest of On, or Heliopolis, a city in the eastern part of AEgypt, situated between the Nile and the Arabian gulph, in the land of Goshen. An annual festival was celebrated here in honour of the sun, whence it was called by the Greeks heliopolis, that is, the city of the sun. It is thought to be the same with that which is called Aven, Ezekiel 30:17 and Ir-heres, Isaiah 19:18 a name of the like import, though we render it, the city of destruction: at present it is called Damietta. "Antiquity celebrates On, or Heliopolis," says Bishop Warburton, "as a nursery of the most learned and wise colleges of priests. Strabo tells us, they were famed for their skill in astronomy; and what more probable, than that the priests of the sun would devote themselves to the study of that system over which this god was supposed to preside. Pharaoh, therefore, consulted Joseph's interest in this match; for the administration being in the hands of the priests, they would hardly have borne with Joseph, a stranger, had he not thus been joined in alliance with them." See Warb. Div. Leg.
Priest of On— The Hebrew word rendered priest, signifies also a prince; one who ministers or presides either in things sacred or civil. In the former sense it occurs, ch. Genesis 14:18. (Melchizedek priest of the most high GOD) and in various other places. In the other sense it occurs, 1 Chronicles 18:17. The sons of David were chief about the king, that is, they were his principal officers of state, as it is explained 2 Samuel 8:18. Anciently the priests were the premiers of all AEgypt, and the kings themselves were taken from their order. Shuckford infers, from this passage, that the AEgyptians at this time could not be very [or, universally] corrupt in their religion, or Joseph would not have married into the family of one of their priests, which coincides with a sentiment we have before advanced on Genesis 41:38. The authors of the Universal History observe, that as it is not likely that Joseph should so soon have forgotten his religion as to have married the daughter of an uncircumcised person, whether prince or priest, on the one hand; and, on the other, Poti-pherah could not but be desirous to purchase so advantageous an alliance at any rate; this might have given the former a fair opportunity of introducing circumcision into the family of the latter: and thence by degrees among all the AEgyptian priests and laity.
Joseph went out— That is, took a progress through the whole kingdom, to build his granaries, and appoint proper officers for the reception of the corn in every place.
REFLECTIONS.—1. Joseph adds his advice to his interpretation, evincing his consummate wisdom in both: to improve the years of plenty, and, under faithful inspectors, to lay up provision against the years of famine. Note; (1.) There is a day coming, against which we shall have abundant need to provide. All the grace we can get, will be no more than we shall need. (2.) Provision for approaching danger must be immediate. We, who have so little time to spend, have none to lose.
2. Pharaoh is highly pleased with the advice, and on the spot resolves to follow it. He extols the wisdom of Joseph, and from conviction of his interest with God and of the superiority of his genius, advances him to the honourable post of governor of the whole land. To him the trust is committed, to provide against the famine he predicts. He is solemnly installed. The ring from his finger, and his second chariot bestowed on Joseph, proclaim the favour of the king, and the dignity of the minister; while they cry before him, Bow the knee! And to all his other honours are added, a noble alliance with the daughter of Poti-pherah, and a new name, Zaphnath-paaneah, The revealer of secrets. What a change hath a day brought forth! the morning saw him a prisoner in distress; the noon beheld him apparelled as a king, and chief of all the land of AEgypt. Patient suffering will certainly one day thus be crowned with glory. Note; (1.) It is as honourable to the prince, as happy for the people, when those are preferred, in whom the Spirit of God is. (2.) Herein Joseph resembles the Lord of Glory: exalted from his prison of death to the right hand of God, the concerns of heaven and earth are entrusted to him alone; and angels, principalities, and powers bow before him.