The Strange Name

Deciphering the name

The name Zaphenath-Paneah that was given to Joseph, can be derived from the Hebrew roots: צפן פִּעְנֵחַ (tsaphan and paneach). Tsaphan means “to hide, treasure or store up”. We find this word in Ps.119, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart…,” which in Hebrew is Belibi tsaphanti (בְּ֭לִבִּי צָפַ֣נְתִּי). Paneach means “to decipher; solve; decode, interpret”.

Thus, Zaphenath-Pa’neach, Joseph’s Egyptian name, might be translated as, “He who explains hidden things”. That really could be the name that Pharaoh would give to Joseph, after all, he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams.

This name also might be translated as “The Revelation of the Hidden”. Then, it would reflect not only Pharaoh’s understanding of Joseph, but God’s entire plan in this story. In English texts, however, the name is just transliterated, and this profound meaning is completely lost. Enroll in our "Discovering the Hebrew Bible" course and see this amazing dynamic between hidden and revealed meanings in the Scripture.