Zaphnah Paanah] Egyptian words, as the most of those who professe especiall skill in the Orientall Tongues take them; and some so leave them without any interpretation at all; the Vulgar Latine repeating them addeth [in the Egyptian tongue] but those words are not in the Hebrew Text: the former word Zaphnah some derive of the Egyptian word Zephon, signifying an Idol, whose name is given in honour to Joseph as the names of Bel and Nebo, Isaiah 46:1. to Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar; but as some expound the name, according to the Egyptian tongue it signifieth the Saviour of the world: because Joseph, by his storing up of provision against a generall famine, was a meanes to preserve them from perishing by famine. But they that reduce the former word to an Hebrew Originall render it [a revealing of secrets,] and that is more pertinent to this story, wherein the most memorable thing reported and most acceptable to Pharaoh is the interpretation of his dreame of the seven yeares of plentie, and famine; and his provision by the former, against the latter. This giving a new name, especially with such a signification, is an act of favour, with an intent of honour: See Genesis 17:5. &Daniel 1:7. The latter part of this Name is left by some learned Hebrewes as in explicable, though it be said by an eminent Hebrician in his censure of the Vulgar Latine of the Pentateuch, that the Egyptian, Punick, Arabick, and other Easterne Tongues are Dialects of the Hebrew and of neere affinitie with it. daughter of Potipherah] This is not the same man whom Joseph first served, when he came into Egypt, for there is difference betwixt the writing of the names, and the titles and offices of the men; nor is it like that in so short a time (the time of Josephs imprisonment) the Captaine of the Kings Guard or Provost Marshall of Pharaoh, should become either a Prince, or Priest of On; but most improbable that so good and chaste a man as Joseph was, would take to wife the daughter of such a mother, as his wanton, and (many other waies) wicked Mistresse was: the first Potiphar was of the Citie Memphis, this of On. Priest] (Exodus 18:1.) Or, Prince: the word is taken both wayes, because anciently both offices met together in one man, who was both Prince in the Family, and Priest in the Church; and for that (as some observe) it was the manner of Egypt, out of Philosophers to choose Priests, and out of Priests, Princes: but if this Potipherah were a Priest, he was an idolatrous Priest, and then Joseph would not for Religions sake accept of his daughter for a wife, it might be a fitter match for him if he were rather a civill Prince, then a Priest, and yet being an Idolater, though not a Master of Idolatrous mysteries (as the Priest was) it is questionable whether it were well done of him or no. In the generall it is not good, nor safe to be unequally yoked in respect of religion, whether heathenish, or hereticall; 2 Corinthians 6:14. since there want not wofull instances in some who of the stronger sex, and wiser sort have been drawn by the weaker to side with the worsr part; and so, though with hope, and purpose haply to winne others, have lost themselves; if then it were not some onset of unavoidable necessitie, or that Joseph had not especiall direction from God in his marriage (as in other things he had) the act was ill in him; and if the case were such, that he could make no better a choyce, or were dispensed with for it by Divine instinct, the example as rare, or extraordinary, is not to be drawne into a rule, nor can be lawfull where the reasons are not alike, because of the expresse prohibition thereof, Exodus 34:12. Deuteronomy 7. vers. 3, 4. 1 Kings 11:1. Nehemiah 13:26. Exodus 34:15-16. 2 Corinthians 6:14. and the great perill thereby, 1 Kings 11:1. Nehemiah 13:26. Exodus 34:15-16. of On] A Citie of Egypt (called also Aven, Ezek. Chap. 30. vers. 17.) in circuit about a hundred and fourtie furlongs, more usually called by the Greek name, Heliopolis, (which by interpretation is the Citie of the Sunne) then On, or Aven; and in latter times the more common name is Damiata.