Topical Bible: Egypt: Ruled by Kings Who Assumed the Name of Pharaoh

◄ Egypt: Ruled by Kings Who Assumed the Name of Pharaoh ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as a land ruled by kings who bore the title "Pharaoh." The term "Pharaoh" is not a personal name but a title used for the monarchs of ancient Egypt, much like "king" or "emperor." This title is derived from the Egyptian term "per-aa," meaning "great house," which originally referred to the royal palace but eventually became synonymous with the ruler himself.

Biblical Significance

Egypt holds a prominent place in the biblical narrative, serving as both a place of refuge and a land of oppression for the Israelites. The relationship between Egypt and the people of Israel is complex, marked by periods of both alliance and enmity.

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). During a famine, Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there. Fearing for his life because of Sarai's beauty, he instructed her to say she was his sister. The Pharaoh took Sarai into his palace, but when he discovered the truth, he returned her to Abram and sent them away with great wealth (Genesis 12:10-20).

Pharaohs in the Time of Joseph

The narrative of Joseph provides a detailed account of Egypt's role in the history of Israel. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually rose to prominence in Egypt, becoming second only to Pharaoh. Through divine wisdom, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh appointed Joseph as overseer of the land, and through his leadership, Egypt became a place of refuge for many, including his own family (Genesis 41:14-57).

Pharaohs in the Time of Moses

Perhaps the most well-known Pharaoh in the Bible is the one who opposed Moses during the Exodus. This Pharaoh, whose heart was hardened, refused to let the Israelites go, despite the series of plagues that God sent upon Egypt. The narrative culminates in the dramatic crossing of the Red Sea, where Pharaoh's army was destroyed as they pursued the fleeing Israelites (Exodus 5-14).

Pharaohs in the Time of Solomon and Beyond

Egypt continued to play a role in the history of Israel during the reign of Solomon and the divided monarchy. Solomon formed an alliance with Egypt by marrying Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kings 3:1). Later, during the reign of Rehoboam, Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and carried off treasures from the house of the Lord and the king's house (1 Kings 14:25-26).

Symbolism and Prophecy

In the prophetic literature, Egypt often symbolizes worldly power and opposition to God's people. The prophets frequently warned against relying on Egypt for military aid, urging the Israelites to trust in the Lord instead (Isaiah 31:1). Egypt's eventual downfall is prophesied as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over all nations (Ezekiel 29-32).

Cultural and Religious Context

The Pharaohs were considered divine or semi-divine figures in Egyptian culture, often associated with gods such as Ra and Horus. This belief in the divine nature of the Pharaohs is evident in their monumental building projects, such as the pyramids and temples, which were designed to honor the gods and ensure the Pharaoh's place in the afterlife.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of Egypt and its Pharaohs provides a rich tapestry of historical events, theological themes, and moral lessons. Egypt serves as a backdrop for God's redemptive work, illustrating both His judgment and His mercy. Through the narratives involving Egypt, the Bible reveals the futility of human power in opposition to the divine will and underscores the faithfulness of God to His covenant people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 12:14,15
And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 40:1,2
And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 1:8,22
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Egypt
... The short reigns of the kings of the dynasty that ... Hordes of invaders poured into
Egypt from Asia and overran ... For 669 years they ruled the valley of the Nile in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... the town of Isin seized the throne, and ruled for 132 ... place that had once been filled
by Egypt and Babylon ... he was a descendant of the legendary kings of Assyria ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... Egypt was maintaining, therefore, its ascendency, or at least appearing to ... it in
those regions where the kings of the XVIIIth dynasty had ruled after the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... have rivalled Babylon in magnificence and power: Egypt could boast ... rather than to
that of the kings of Telloh. ... I gave them pasture and drink, I ruled over them ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... sky which it had hitherto lacked, assumed its present ... from the Universal Lord all
that kings and princes ... to the usual conditions of tenure in Egypt, ie taxation ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... as it were, of these cemeteries, the Egypt of the ... connect him with Ra through the
intervening kings, the successors of the gods who ruled the two ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... Menes, the first of their mortal kings, had found ... it from a people foreign to Egypt,
either from ... to designate the different phases which it assumed according to ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Editor's Preface
... The Egypt of history was the creation of a twofold race ... for instance, turn out to
have been kings of Anzan ... doubt that the Manda over whom Astyages ruled were the ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 1/editors preface.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... Egypt indeed ruled the world, either directly or through her ... The kings of Mesopotamia
and of Northern Syria, even ... he would have been ruined, and Egypt with him ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The First Theban Empire
... He ruled over all Egypt, and his ... the feudal princes maintained the virtual independence
which they had acquired for themselves under the last kings of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm