Zaphnath-paaneah

Zaphnath-paaneah was the Egyptian name given to Joseph by Pharaoh when he elevated him to the position of vizier over all Egypt (Genesis 41:45). The meaning of the name has been much debated: proposed interpretations include revealer of secrets, the man to whom secrets are revealed, God speaks and lives, the bread of life of the age, or in Egyptian djed-nṯr-iw.f-ˁnḫ meaning God speaks and he lives. The giving of an Egyptian name to a Hebrew vizier is consistent with Egyptian practice of assimilation of foreigners into the royal court, as confirmed by parallels in Egyptian administrative texts. The name signals Joseph's complete integration into Egyptian royal administration while the narrative maintains his Israelite identity.