John Gill Commentary Genesis 41:50

"And unto Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bare unto him." — Genesis 41:50 (ASV)

And to Joseph were born two sons The word for "born" is singular; hence Ben Melech conjectures that they were twins: and this was before the years of famine came; or "the year of famine" ^F17; the first year: which Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah priest of On, bore to him; which is observed, to show that he had them by his lawful wife; whom the Targum of Jonathan wrongly again makes the daughter of Dinah, and her father prince of Tanis, the same with Zoan; whereas this was "On" or "Heliopolis", a very different place; so Artapanus says ^F18, that Joseph married the daughter of the priest of Heliopolis, by whom he had children; and another Heathen writer ^F19 mentions their names, Ephraim and Manesseh.

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F17: (berh tnv) "annus famis", Tigurine version, Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "annus (primus) famis", Schmidt.
• F18: Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 23. p. 429.
• F19: Polyhistor. apud ib. p. 424.