Smith's Bible Dictionary
Zaphnathpaaneaha name given by Pharaoh to Joseph. (Genesis 41:45) The rabbins interpreted Zaphnath-paaneah as Hebrew in the sense revealer of a secret . As the name must have been Egyptian, it has been explained from the Coptic as meaning the preserver of the age.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ZAPHENATH-PANEAH, ZAPHNATH-PAANEAHzaf-e'-nath-pa-ne'-a, zaf'-nath-pa-a-ne'a (tsaphenath pa`aneach; Egyptian Zoph-ent-pa-ankh; Septuagint D, Psonthomphantch, "the one who furnishes the nourishment of life," i.e. the chief steward of the realm): The name given Joseph by the Egyptian king by whom he was promoted, probably the Hyksos king Aphophis (Genesis 41:45).
See JOSEPH.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The name which Pharaoh gave to Joseph when he raised him to the rank of prime minister or grand vizier of the kingdom (
Genesis 41:45). This is a pure Egyptian word, and has been variously explained. Some think it means "creator," or "preserver of life." Brugsch interprets it as "governor of the district of the place of life", i.e., of Goshen, the chief city of which was Pithom, "the place of life." Others explain it as meaning "a revealer of secrets," or "the man to whom secrets are revealed."
