Topical Encyclopedia The term "Pharaoh" refers to the ancient rulers of Egypt, a title that appears frequently in the biblical narrative. The Pharaohs are significant figures in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites' history, from the time of Abraham to the Exodus and beyond. The word "Pharaoh" itself is derived from the Egyptian term "per-aa," meaning "great house," which initially referred to the royal palace but later became synonymous with the king himself.Pharaohs in the Time of Abraham The first mention of a Pharaoh in the Bible occurs in the account of Abram (later Abraham) and Sarai (later Sarah) in Genesis 12:10-20. During a famine, Abram and Sarai journeyed to Egypt. Fearing for his life due to Sarai's beauty, Abram instructed her to say she was his sister. The Pharaoh took Sarai into his palace, but God inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household. Upon discovering the truth, Pharaoh returned Sarai to Abram and sent them away with their possessions. Pharaohs in the Time of Joseph The narrative of Joseph, found in Genesis 37-50, features another Pharaoh, who plays a crucial role in the history of Israel. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, eventually rises to power in Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, which foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Joseph's wisdom, Pharaoh appoints him as second-in-command over Egypt (Genesis 41:39-41). This Pharaoh is depicted as a wise and discerning leader who recognizes the hand of God in Joseph's life. Pharaohs in the Time of Moses The most prominent Pharaoh in the biblical account is the one who opposes Moses during the Exodus. This Pharaoh is characterized by his hardened heart and refusal to let the Israelites go, despite the series of plagues that God sends upon Egypt (Exodus 7-12). The narrative highlights the struggle between the power of God and the obstinacy of Pharaoh, culminating in the Passover and the eventual release of the Israelites. The crossing of the Red Sea marks the final defeat of Pharaoh's army, as described in Exodus 14:28: "The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had chased the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived." Pharaohs in Later Biblical History Pharaohs continue to appear in the biblical narrative, though less prominently, during the time of the divided kingdom and the prophets. In 1 Kings 3:1, Solomon forms an alliance with Egypt by marrying Pharaoh's daughter. Later, in 1 Kings 11:40, Jeroboam flees to Egypt to escape Solomon's wrath, finding refuge with Pharaoh Shishak. This same Pharaoh later invades Jerusalem during the reign of Rehoboam, as recorded in 1 Kings 14:25-26. The prophet Isaiah also references Pharaoh in his oracles against the nations, warning against reliance on Egypt for military aid (Isaiah 30:1-3). Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah cautions against seeking refuge in Egypt, predicting its downfall (Jeremiah 46:25-26). Theological Significance In the biblical narrative, Pharaohs often symbolize the worldly powers that oppose God's purposes. The interactions between the Pharaohs and the people of Israel serve to demonstrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant promises. The accounts of the Pharaohs underscore themes of divine judgment, deliverance, and the futility of resisting God's will. Easton's Bible Dictionary Pharaoh's daughters Three princesses are thus mentioned in Scripture: (1.) The princess who adopted the infant Moses (q.v.), Exodus 2:10. She is twice mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 7:21 Hebrews 11:24). It would seem that she was alive and in some position of influence about the court when Moses was compelled to flee from Egypt, and thus for forty years he had in some way been under her influence. She was in all probability the sister of Rameses, and the daughter of Seti I. Josephus calls her Thermuthis. It is supposed by some that she was Nefert-ari, the wife as well as sister of Rameses. The mummy of this queen was among the treasures found at Deir-el-Bahari. (2.) "Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took (1 Chronicles 4:18). (3.) The wife of Solomon (1 Kings 3:1). This is the first reference since the Exodus to any connection of Israel with Egypt. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER(bath-par`oh): The princess who rescued Moses (Exodus 2:5-10 Hebrews 11:24). This is probably a title as well as an appellation, indicating not only one of the daughters of a Pharaoh, but also some very distinguished rank, thought to be most probably that of the heir to the throne by birth; though she was debarred from reigning by reason of sex, she still possessed the right to entail the scepter and crown to her oldest son. Positive identification of the "Pharaoh's daughter" mentioned in the Bible is not possible yet. All attempts toward identification are, of course, guided by the particular theory of the oppressor accepted. If the Pharaoh of the Oppression was Rameses II, as is most likely, then Pharaoh's daughter was probably the daughter of Seti I, an older sister of Rameses II. If, as many think, the Pharaoh of the Oppression was Thothmes III, then Pharaoh's daughter was some unknown princess. Some have thought she was Hatshepsut, the "Queen Elizabeth of Egypt." Greek 5328. Pharao -- Pharaoh, an Eg. king ... 5327, 5328. Pharao. 5329 . Pharaoh, an Eg. king. Part ... Egyptian kings. Word Origin of Eg. origin (great house) Definition Pharaoh, an Eg. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5328.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 6547. Paroh -- a title of Egypt kings... a title of Egypt kings. Transliteration: Paroh Phonetic Spelling: (par-o') Short Definition: Pharaoh. ... kings NASB Word Usage Pharaoh (214), Pharaoh's (53). ... /hebrew/6547.htm - 5k Library We were Pharaoh's Bondmen. Deut 6:20-23 Have Compared Thee, O My Love, to My Company of Horsemen in ... Christ's Estimate of his People Goodness in a Dungeon The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture. Joseph's Eagerness to Help Others The Boyhood and Training of Moses A Last Merciful Warning The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River Moses Thesaurus Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pharaoh's daughters. Three ... Bahari. (2.) "Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took (1 Chronicles 4:18). ... /p/pharaoh's.htm - 31k Stubborn (40 Occurrences) Officials (229 Occurrences) Genubath (1 Occurrence) Grapes (74 Occurrences) Cupbearer (10 Occurrences) Crushing (93 Occurrences) Squeezed (2 Occurrences) Palace (194 Occurrences) Nurse (23 Occurrences) Resources How were Pharaoh's magicians able to perform miracles? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God harden Pharaoh's heart? | GotQuestions.org Why was Pharaoh so resistant to Moses' pleas to “let my people go”? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)Acts 7:21 Hebrews 11:24 Genesis 12:15 Genesis 12:17 Genesis 37:36 Genesis 39:1 Genesis 40:1 Genesis 40:7 Genesis 40:11 Genesis 40:13 Genesis 40:17 Genesis 40:20 Genesis 40:21 Genesis 41:25 Genesis 41:32 Genesis 41:35 Genesis 41:46 Genesis 45:2 Genesis 45:16 Genesis 47:14 Genesis 47:20 Genesis 47:25 Genesis 47:26 Genesis 50:4 Genesis 50:7 Exodus 2:5 Exodus 2:7 Exodus 2:8 Exodus 2:9 Exodus 2:10 Exodus 5:14 Exodus 5:20 Exodus 5:21 Exodus 7:3 Exodus 7:13 Exodus 7:14 Exodus 7:22 Exodus 8:19 Exodus 8:24 Exodus 9:12 Exodus 9:35 Exodus 10:7 Exodus 10:11 Exodus 10:20 Exodus 10:27 Exodus 11:3 Exodus 11:10 Exodus 13:17 Exodus 14:4 Exodus 14:9 Exodus 14:23 Exodus 14:28 Exodus 15:4 Exodus 18:4 Deuteronomy 6:21 1 Samuel 2:27 1 Kings 3:1 1 Kings 7:8 1 Kings 9:24 1 Kings 11:1 1 Kings 11:20 1 Chronicles 4:18 2 Chronicles 8:11 Song of Songs 1:9 Isaiah 19:11 Isaiah 30:2 Jeremiah 37:5 Jeremiah 37:7 Jeremiah 37:11 Jeremiah 43:9 Jeremiah 47:1 Ezekiel 30:24 Subtopics Related Terms Wonder-workers (16 Occurrences) |