Topical Bible: Murder: Pharaoh

◄ Murder: Pharaoh ►

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In the biblical narrative, the term "murder" is often associated with the unlawful and premeditated taking of human life. Within the context of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, the Bible presents several instances where his actions or decrees led to the death of many, often in opposition to God's will and His people, the Israelites.

Pharaoh's Decree Against Hebrew Infants

One of the most notorious acts of murder associated with Pharaoh is found in the Book of Exodus. As the Israelites multiplied in Egypt, a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, felt threatened by their growing numbers. In an attempt to curb their population, he ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. When the midwives feared God and disobeyed, Pharaoh escalated his decree:

"Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: 'Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.'" (Exodus 1:22)

This act of infanticide was a direct assault on the sanctity of life and an attempt to annihilate the future of the Israelite people. It was during this time that Moses was born, and his mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months before placing him in a basket on the Nile, where he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

Throughout the narrative of the plagues in Egypt, Pharaoh's heart is repeatedly hardened, leading to further suffering and death among the Egyptians. While not directly described as murder, Pharaoh's stubbornness and refusal to release the Israelites resulted in the death of many Egyptians, culminating in the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household during the final plague:

"At midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well." (Exodus 12:29)

Pharaoh's persistent defiance against God's command through Moses and Aaron brought about divine judgment, leading to widespread death and sorrow in Egypt.

Pharaoh's Pursuit of the Israelites

After finally allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt, Pharaoh once again hardened his heart and pursued them with his army. This pursuit led to the destruction of his forces in the Red Sea:

"The waters returned and covered the chariots and horsemen—all the army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea. Not one of them survived." (Exodus 14:28)

While this event is not directly labeled as murder, it highlights Pharaoh's relentless pursuit of the Israelites, resulting in the loss of many Egyptian lives due to his obstinate refusal to heed God's command.

Pharaoh's Legacy

Pharaoh's actions throughout the Exodus narrative serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of defying God's will and the sanctity of human life. His decrees and decisions led to the loss of countless lives, both among the Israelites and his own people. The biblical account of Pharaoh underscores the moral and spiritual implications of murder and the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 1:22
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... They could avoid the unpleasant consciousness of probable murder, and make something ...
the Ishmaelites, of whom Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard, bought ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Call of Moses
... Murder for liberty; wrong for right; it was a poor way to reform abuses, and Moses
needed training. ... God could have spoken to Pharaoh without Moses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/ii the call of moses.htm

ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... Theophilus degraded and expelled him, and has done his best to degrade, to defame,
and even to murder these Brothers.'. Why? Is he a Pharaoh?' asked Eutyches. ...
/.../chapter xliii ecce iterum crispinus.htm

The Right Understanding of the Law
... (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives no strength (as Pharaoh required
brick ... Where murder is forbidden, envy and rash anger are forbidden, which may ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/1 4 the right understanding of.htm

About the Dragon and the Young Man.
... might be produced from them, and that I might work my will in them; [2353] I am
he who hardened the heart of Pharaoh, that he should murder the children of ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the dragon and the.htm

But they Change their Ground and Endeavour to Vilify Our Faith in ...
... nor the Jews' bloody persecution of God's saints, nor Herod's cruel murder of the ...
Fathers to the conduct of the Egyptians, in reference, of course, to Pharaoh. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxix but they change.htm

The Captivity.
... soon marched upon him, and besieged Jerusalem; and his friend, Pharaoh Hophra, left ...
So shocked were the Jews at this murder of Gedaliah, that they ever after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of ... The clumsy
contrivance for murder without criminality, which Reuben suggested, is an ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... So far as we know from the Scripture record, no human eye witnessed the dastardly
murder of Abel, and doubtless Cain deemed himself secure from any ... 5. Pharaoh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Chapter xlvii
... 8. We know not what matters besides may have been discussed by Pharaoh and Jacob ...
was grieved by the rape of his daughter Dinah and by the murder perpetrated by ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm