Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

Was Pharoh's daughter named Basya or Bisya? Sources please!

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 5 down vote

The only place in Tanach where the name Basya/Bisya is mentioned is in Divrei Hayamim 1 4:18. Per Koren the pronunciation is Bisya. So how did Bisya become Basya? The Yalkut Shimoni on this Posuk cites the following Medrash. Hashem said to the daughter of Pharoh "Moshe was not your son however you called him your son, therefore though you are not my daughter I will call you my daughter". Thus it follows that Bisya became Basya - the daughter of Hashem.

share|improve this answer
1  
I am glad that you took the bait! Thanks for enlightening us! – Yahu Feb 7 '11 at 1:31
How does it that follow? It follows that God named her Bisyah as a contraction of 'bas' and 'yah'. The vowels (almost) always change when creating the name (eg. 'ger' + 'sham' = 'gershom'; 'elohei' + 'ezri' = 'eliezer'). Do you have any evidence that anyone ever pronounced it Basyah? – Double AA♦ Dec 6 '12 at 18:46
Why not Bintya? – Seth J Dec 6 '12 at 19:29
@DoubleAA, re "Do you have any evidence that anyone ever pronounced it Basyah?", the evidence of my ears. – msh210♦ Dec 6 '12 at 19:33
2  
What I am saying is that the correct name is Bisya, however perhaps the reason many say Basya is because of this Medrash. – Gershon Gold Dec 6 '12 at 19:43
show 6 more comments

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.