Biblical Profile: Pharaoh

Pharaoh

“Pharaoh” is an Egyptian word meaning “great house.” It refers to the royal palace and is also used as a title for the king of Egypt. During the time of Joseph, the Israelites were looked upon favorably by the pharaoh. Joseph had interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, leading to his promotion as second-in-command in Egypt (Gen 41:1-44). Pharaoh gave Joseph’s family the best land in Egypt (Gen 45:16-20), and the Israelites multiplied and flourished in Egypt.

Two pharaohs appear in the book of Exodus, neither of whom had the same regard for the Hebrew people (see Exod 1:8-10). The first was king when Moses was born. Out of fear, he ordered the murder of all Hebrew baby boys. Moses not only escaped death, but was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter in the palace! This pharaoh died after Moses had fled from Egypt (Exod 2:23).

A new pharaoh came to power, whom Moses and Aaron later confronted. This pharaoh was determined to prevent the Israelites from leaving Egypt; he remained stubborn even when confronted with God’s power. The Bible describes his hard-hearted unwillingness to change (see Exod 8:32; 9:12, 34-35; cp. Rom 1:18-32).

As king, the pharaoh personified the rule of the gods over Egypt, which gave him absolute authority. The plagues were God’s attacks on the false gods of Egypt (see Exod 12:12). The final plague—the death of the firstborn—was an attack on Pharaoh’s household. This climactic plague convinced Pharaoh to let Israel go, but after the Israelites left, Pharaoh again changed his mind. He chased them until he had cornered them at the Red Sea. God’s rescue of the defenseless Israelites and the destruction of the powerful Egyptians at the Red Sea is among the most dramatic rescues recorded in the Old Testament. The Lord revealed himself at the Red Sea as a warrior who fought for his people (15:3).

Neither of the pharaohs in Exodus is mentioned by name, probably in keeping with Egyptian practice. However, if the Exodus took place in the 1400s BC, the Pharaoh of the Exodus might have been Thutmose III (around 1504–1450 BC). If the Exodus occurred in the 1200s BC (based on an alternative chronology), this pharaoh might have been Rameses II (around 1279–1213 BC).

Passages for Further Study

Exod 1:8-22; 2:14-15, 23; 5:1–15:21