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Joseph and Aseneth

A narrative describing the conversion of Aseneth, the pagan wife of the patriarch Joseph. One of the most beautiful love stories of the ancient world.|||Survives in Greek, Syriac, and other versions. The oldest textual evidence is from the 4th century; the oldest surviving manuscript is a Syriac text dated to the 6th century CE. More than 70 manuscripts in many languages.|||Most scholars date it from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Jewish in origin, though preserved by Christians.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||The conversion of Aseneth, her marriage to Joseph, and her escape from a plot against Joseph's life. Emphasizes repentance, divine mercy, and Jewish-Gentile relations.|||Kraemer, R. S. When Aseneth Met Joseph. Oxford University Press, 1998.|||Burchard, C. " Joseph and Aseneth." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.|||Joseph and Aseneth — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/josephaseneth.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Joseph and Aseneth — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_and_Aseneth|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Aseneth said: I have sinned, O Lord, and I have not deserved to be called your daughter." — Joseph and Aseneth 12:3

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Most scholars date it from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Jewish in origin, though preserved by Christians.

Language & Manuscripts

Survives in Greek, Syriac, and other versions. The oldest textual evidence is from the 4th century; the oldest surviving manuscript is a Syriac text dated to the 6th century CE. More than 70 manuscripts in many languages.

Why It Matters for Study

The conversion of Aseneth, her marriage to Joseph, and her escape from a plot against Joseph's life. Emphasizes repentance, divine mercy, and Jewish-Gentile relations.

" And Aseneth said: I have sinned, O Lord, and I have not deserved to be called your daughter." — Joseph and Aseneth 12:3

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And Aseneth said: I have sinned, O Lord, and I have not deserved to be called your daughter." — Joseph and Aseneth 12:3 " And Aseneth said: I have sinned, O Lord, and I have not deserved to be called your daughter." — Joseph and Aseneth 12:3

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Kraemer, R. S. When Aseneth Met Joseph. Oxford University Press, 1998.
Burchard, C. " Joseph and Aseneth." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 2. Doubleday, 1985.
Joseph and Aseneth — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/josephaseneth.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Joseph and Aseneth — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_and_Aseneth|Background and scholarly discussion.