Types of the Bride of Christ: Asenath

Asenath was the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.  Her marriage to Joseph certainly allied him with one of the most powerful priestly families in Egypt.

Asenath’s name is of Egyptian origin and it may mean that she belongs to the goddess Neit.  She is only briefly mentioned in Scripture.  

From historical accounts, we know that she was a pagan.  Some Jewish writers believe that she was a proselyte (a convert).  These writers suggest that she was first spurned by Joseph and repented of her idolatry by wearing a sackcloth and ashes and disposing of her wealth.  Jewish legend goes on to say that she lost her beauty, until she washed her face in pure water and became marvelously beautiful.  Then she married Joseph. 

Another Jewish legend is that bees covered her and stung her lips to remove her false prayers.  Other non-Biblical stories are that she saved Joseph’s life when Potiphera was going to slay him, testifying that her mother lied about her accusations.  Or that she was really a member of Jacob’s family — the daughter of Joseph’s sister, Dinah — and conceived in her rape by Shechem.

Joseph is one of the strongest types for Christ in Scripture.  What we do know from the Bible is that Asenath becomes Joseph’s bride during the time of his rejection.  He also marries her before the seven years of famine. 

In fact, we do not hear of Asenath again until after the famine, which I believe is telling us that the bride will be removed from the earth before the Tribulation. 

Reference: Jewish Encyclopedia