Joseph's Name in Egypt.
By Tryon Edwards
IN reading the forty-first chapter of Genesis, not a few have wondered at the singular name given to Joseph in Egypt, after he had saved the people from the horrors of famine—the name of "Zaphnath-paaneah." When, in translating the Bible, our English translators came to this word, they saw at once that it was not a Hebrew word, and so without attempting to translate it, they merely transferred it to the pages of our English version, where, in verse 45, we read: "And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah." But through the researches of Rawlinson and others in Egyptian history and language, we find that these words were Egyptian words, and that they mean, "the bread of life;" and the wonderful fitness of the name is at once seen when we remember how Joseph had provided food against the years of famine, and so saved the lives of the people. And so in verse 43, the words which in our version are replaced by "bow the knee," are now found to be Egyptian words, and our translators gave us that expression because it was so commonly used before their own monarchs as they might go forth in procession among their subjects. But these words, too, are now found to be Egyptian words, and their meaning is not "bow the knee," but "rejoice." So that when Joseph rode forth in his chariot, arrayed in fine linen, and with Pharaoh's ring on his hand, and a chain of gold about his neck, the heralds cried before him, "Rejoice, rejoice, for the bread of life is coming!" What exquisite beauty, as well as meaning, does this add to the name! And does it not point us, as a type, to the true Bread of Life that came down from Heaven to save men from spiritual famine and death, and so to be the life of the world?—Rev. Tryon Edwards, D. D.