Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Genesis 41:45/אבן עזרא על בראשית מ״א:מ״ה
אצפנת פענח. אם זו המלה מצרית לא ידענו פירושה, ואם היא מתורגמת לא ידענו שם יוסף ויהיה פי' פענח כאשר תרגם המתרגם ארמית, והיא מלה מרובעת:
1ZAPHENATH-PANEAH. If this is an Egyptian word then we don’t know what it means.80 On the other hand, if this is a Hebrew translation of Joseph’s Egyptian name then we don’t know what Joseph’s Egyptian name was. In the latter case81 is Hebrew. the meaning of paneah is in accordance with Onkelos’ translation,82 as revealed. He renders zaphenath-paneah, a man before whom all secrets (tzefunot) are revealed. and it is a quadriliteral.83.
בכהן און. עובד השם או עובד עו"ג, כי כהן בכל המקרא כי אם משרת על דעתי:
2PRIEST OF ON. The term kohen (priest) can be applied to one who serves the Lord or to one who serves idols, for I believe that when this term is used in Scripture it means one who ministers.84 does not mean a priest of the Lord; it means any priest. Hence kohen on means priest of On.
גויצא יוסף. יצא שמו, כטעם "ויצא לך שם בגוים" (יחז' טז יד) או יצא ועבר על כל מקום והכריזו עליו כדי שיכירוהו:
3AND JOSEPH WENT OUT. His name went out, as in And thy renown went forth among the nations (Ezek. 16:14).85 Or it means he went out and traveled throughout the land and they announced who he was that he might become known.86 literally and not applying it to his name.