"Behold the sun and the chariot of the sun! Certainly this Joseph is the child of God; for what father could beget so fair an offspring, and what womb of woman could carry such light."
Joseph entered in the house of Poti-pherah, and whilst they washed his feet he asked what woman had looked forth from the window of the tower.
"Let her go forth from the house," he commanded.
This he said because he feared lest she should desire him, and should send him messages and divers gifts, even as other women of her nation, whom he had refused with holy indignation. But Poti-pherah replied—
"Sire, this is my daughter, who is a virgin, and hateth men; neither hath she seen any man save me, her father, and thyself this very day. If thou wilt, she shall come before thee and salute thee."
Then Joseph thought within himself, "Since she hateth man, she will not cast her eyes upon me." So he answered to her father—
"Since your daughter is a virgin, I will cherish her even as my sister."
Then her mother went out to seek Asenath, and brought her before Joseph.
"Salute thy brother," said Poti-pherah, "who hateth the strange woman, even as thou hatest man."
"God keep thee," replied Asenath, "for thou art blessed of God most high."