Take Joseph, for instance. His story is one of dramatic ups and downs, from slavery to becoming second-in-command in Egypt. But how did he find love?
The answer, according to the apocryphal text, Joseph and Asenath, is a tale of repentance, angelic encounters, and a love that transforms. It all starts with Asenath, the daughter of Potiphar, an Egyptian priest. When Joseph arrives, her initial impression is so profound that she undergoes a radical transformation.
According to Ginzberg’s retelling in Legends of the Jews, Asenath is so moved by Joseph’s presence and words that she retreats to her chambers. She sheds her finery, dons sackcloth, covers herself in ashes, and spends seven days and nights begging God for forgiveness for her past sins. Imagine the intensity of that spiritual reckoning! She doesn't even allow her seven attendants to enter her presence during this period of intense penance.
Then, on the eighth day, something incredible happens: an angel appears to her. This isn't just any angel; it’s a messenger of divine grace. The angel tells Asenath to cast aside her mourning and adorn herself in royal attire, declaring that she has been "born anew." She is to partake of the "bread of life," drink from the "cup of life immortal," and anoint herself with the "oil of life eternal." Quite the upgrade, right?
And the feasting doesn’t stop there! Asenath is about to offer food and drink to her angelic guest when she notices a honeycomb, unlike any she has ever seen before, radiating an otherworldly fragrance. The angel explains that this honeycomb comes from the bees of Paradise and is food fit for angels and the chosen of God. He takes a small portion for himself and then places the rest into Asenath’s mouth.
The angel proclaims: "From this day forth thy body shall bloom like the eternal flowers in Paradise, thy bones shall wax fat like the cedars thereof, strength inexhaustible shall be thine, thy youth shall never fade, and thy beauty never perish, and thou shalt be like unto a metropolis surrounded by a wall." Talk about a makeover! At Asenath’s request, the angel also blesses her seven attendants, wishing them to be "seven pillars in the City of Refuge."
Then, in a blaze of glory, the angel departs in a chariot of fire drawn by four steeds of fire, ascending back to heaven. It is only then that Asenath truly understands that she had been visited not by a mortal man, but by an angel of God.
Shortly after the angel's departure, Joseph is announced. Eager to greet him, Asenath quickly prepares herself. When she washes her face, she sees a reflection of herself that she barely recognizes—her beauty now transformed by the angel’s visit.
When Joseph arrives, he doesn’t even recognize her! He asks who she is, and she replies, "I am thy maid-servant Asenath! I have cast away my idols, and this day a visitant came to me from heaven. He gave me to eat of the bread of life and to drink of the blessed cup, and he spake these words unto me, 'I give thee unto Joseph as his affianced wife, that he may be thy affianced husband forever.' And furthermore he said, 'Thy name shall not any more be called Asenath, but thy name shall be City of Refuge, whither the nations shall flee for safety.' And he added, 'I go to Joseph, to tell him all these things that have reference to thee.' Now, my lord, thou knowest whether the man was with thee and spoke to thee in my behalf."
Joseph confirms everything she says, and they embrace and kiss, sealing their betrothal. The occasion is celebrated with a banquet attended by Potiphar and his wife.
Later, the wedding takes place in the presence of Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh places golden crowns upon the heads of the bride and groom, bestows his blessing upon them, and throws a seven-day feast in their honor, inviting dignitaries and princes from Egypt and other lands. During these seven days, the people are forbidden from working, under penalty of death, so that they may all partake in the celebration of Joseph’s marriage.
So, what does this story tell us? It’s more than just a charming romance. It's a story about transformation, divine intervention, and the power of repentance. Asenath's journey from idolatry to spiritual awakening is a powerful testament to the possibility of change. It also highlights the idea that love can be a catalyst for profound personal growth. And the image of Asenath as a "City of Refuge," where nations can seek safety, is a powerful metaphor for the protective and nurturing aspects of a loving relationship.
Isn’t it amazing how these ancient stories, even the ones outside the direct biblical canon, can still resonate with us today? They remind us that love, faith, and transformation are timeless themes that continue to shape our lives.