Topical Bible: Pride: Pharaoh

◄ Pride: Pharaoh ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is a prominent biblical figure often associated with pride and defiance against God. His account is primarily recounted in the Book of Exodus, where he plays a central role in the narrative of the Israelites' enslavement and subsequent liberation.

Historical Context

Pharaoh was the title given to the ancient Egyptian monarchs, and during the time of Moses, the Pharaoh is depicted as a powerful and obstinate ruler. The exact identity of the Pharaoh during the Exodus is debated among scholars, but his actions and attitudes are clearly outlined in the biblical text.

Biblical Narrative

The account of Pharaoh's pride is vividly illustrated in the interactions between him and Moses, God's chosen leader for the Israelites. When Moses and Aaron first approach Pharaoh with God's command to "Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1), Pharaoh's response is one of arrogance and disbelief: "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go" (Exodus 5:2).

Pharaoh's pride is further demonstrated through his repeated refusal to heed God's warnings delivered through Moses. Despite witnessing a series of devastating plagues—each a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods and a demonstration of the LORD's supremacy—Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. The Bible describes this hardening of Pharaoh's heart as both a result of his own stubbornness and as an act of divine judgment (Exodus 7:3-4).

The Plagues and Pharaoh's Resistance

The ten plagues, ranging from the turning of the Nile into blood to the death of the firstborn, serve as a testament to Pharaoh's prideful resistance. Each plague intensifies the suffering of Egypt, yet Pharaoh's pride blinds him to the reality of God's power and authority. After several plagues, Pharaoh momentarily relents, only to retract his promises once the immediate threat is removed (Exodus 8:15).

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a recurring theme in the Exodus narrative. It is mentioned multiple times, emphasizing both Pharaoh's personal responsibility and God's sovereign will. This hardening serves as a demonstration of God's power and a fulfillment of His purposes, as stated in Exodus 9:16 : "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

The Final Act of Defiance

Pharaoh's pride reaches its zenith with the final plague—the death of the firstborn. It is only after this catastrophic event that Pharaoh reluctantly allows the Israelites to leave Egypt. However, his prideful nature soon leads him to pursue the Israelites, resulting in the destruction of his army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28).

Theological Implications

Pharaoh's pride serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of resisting God's will. His account illustrates the futility of human arrogance in the face of divine sovereignty. Pharaoh's downfall is a powerful reminder of the biblical principle that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).

Legacy

In Christian theology, Pharaoh is often seen as a symbol of the unrepentant sinner, whose pride leads to ruin. His account is used to illustrate the importance of humility and obedience to God. The narrative of Pharaoh and the Exodus continues to be a foundational account in understanding God's deliverance and judgment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 9:10
And showed signs and wonders on Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for you knew that they dealt proudly against them. So did you get you a name, as it is this day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Pride of Prosperity
... Furthermore, Pharaoh rendered signal service to Israel by taking Gezer, slaying ... Thus
pride, ambition, prodigality, and indulgence bore fruit in cruelty and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

Pride and Humility
... Pride is like the flies of Egypt; all Pharaoh's soldiers could not keep them out;
and I am sure all the strong resolutions and devout aspirations we may have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/pride and humility.htm

Pride and Humility
... Pride is like the flies of Egypt; all Pharaoh's soldiers could not keep them out;
and I am sure all the strong resolutions and devout aspirations we may have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/pride and humility.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... hath pride in his calling. I can offer all he demands. And this, further. Keep his
going a secret, for I am beset and I would not have my rescue by the Pharaoh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

Moses
... It helped him to do his work rightly instead of wrongly; it helped him to conquer
the pride of Pharaoh, and the faithlessness, cowardice, and rebellion of his ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

The Ark among the Flags
... exodus'; but it can scarcely be that the 'daughter of Pharaoh,' his wife ... changes
languid curiosity into tenderness, and how compassion conquers pride of race ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the ark among the flags.htm

Mongrel Religion
... They had not the pride of Pharaoh who said, "Who is Jehovah that I should obey his
voice?" They were not like those whom David calls "fools," who said in their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/mongrel religion.htm

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... husks that the swine eat; [3952] and climbing the precipice of pride you fall ... of
wrath." [3954] Or is it that your heart is hardened, as Pharaoh's was, because ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

The Story of Joseph
... pride nor boastfulness in Joseph's answer. Of himself, he said, he could do nothing;
but with God's help he would tell the king all that he could. So Pharaoh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

The Coming of Christ was Predicted by the Prophets; and was ...
... Memphis lies desolate; that city which was the pride of the once mighty Pharaoh
whose power Moses crushed at the Divine command." This has been changed to ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvi the coming of christ.htm