Pharaoh
Summary
Pharaoh was the common title of the native kings of Egypt, derived from Egyptian meaning 'great house,' analogous to 'the Sublime Porte' for Ottoman rulers, with several distinct Pharaohs appearing in biblical history from Abraham to Jeremiah.
☩Name and Meaning
The name Pharaoh derives from the Egyptian 'per-aa' meaning 'great house,' corresponding to the Ottoman 'Sublime Porte.' Earlier scholars connected it with 'Phra' or 'Re' (the sun), noting that kings were called 'Son of the Sun' and compared to the sun in power. The name was probably given as kings were seen as chief on earth as the sun was chief among heavenly bodies, and later as representation of their sun-god. In hieroglyphics, the hawk symbolized the king as Pharaoh. Biblical writers often use Pharaoh alone like a proper name, sometimes adding 'king of Egypt,' and occasionally the personal name: 'Pharaoh Necho' or 'Pharaoh Hophra.'
☩Pharaohs of the Patriarchal Period
The Pharaoh of Abraham's time (c. 2000 BC) received Sarai into his household, was plagued by God, and sent Abraham away with great wealth. The Pharaoh who promoted Joseph (c. 1700 BC) elevated him to second-in-command after interpreting dreams, and later received Jacob's family into Egypt. Scripture emphasizes that Joseph found favor 'in the sight of Pharaoh' (Acts 7:10). Modern scholars debate whether these were native Egyptian rulers or Hyksos ('shepherd kings') who ruled Lower Egypt for a period. The later Pharaoh 'who knew not Joseph' initiated the oppression that led to Moses' birth and eventual deliverance.
☩The Pharaoh of the Exodus
The Pharaoh of the oppression and the Pharaoh of the Exodus may have been different rulers. Candidates include Thutmose III and Amenhotep II or, according to other chronologies, Rameses II and his successor Merneptah. This Pharaoh hardened his heart despite ten devastating plagues and pursued Israel to the Red Sea, where his army perished. Paul uses Pharaoh as an illustration of God's sovereignty: 'For this very purpose I raised you up, that I might show My power in you' (Romans 9:17). Moses' mother-in-law, Moses' flight and return, and the confrontation over releasing Israel all involve dealings with Pharaoh.
☩Later Pharaohs
Several later Pharaohs appear in Scripture: the one who gave his daughter to Solomon (1 Kings 3:1; 9:16); the one who sheltered Hadad of Edom, giving him his sister-in-law as wife (1 Kings 11:18-22). Pharaoh Necho (609-594 BC) of the 26th dynasty killed Josiah at Megiddo, deposed Jehoahaz, and made Jehoiakim tributary, but was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish. Pharaoh Hophra (589-570 BC) attempted to aid Zedekiah against Babylon but failed; Jeremiah prophesied his fall into the hands of his enemies. After the Persian conquest, Ezekiel's prophecy was fulfilled: 'There shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt' (Ezekiel 30:13).
Related Verses250 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Pharaoh," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pharaoh," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.George Morrish, "Pharaoh," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Pharaoh Pharaoh's Daughter," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Pharaoh," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).