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Pharaoh

Both TestamentsPatriarchsMaleA pharaoh

Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler who elevated Joseph to a position of authority and welcomed his family to Egypt during a severe famine.

Pharaoh illustration
Pharaoh

Biography

This Pharaoh, who ruled during the patriarchal period, played a decisive role in the preservation of both Joseph's family and the entire ancient Near East during a catastrophic seven-year famine. After interpreting Pharaoh's prophetic dreams of seven fat and seven lean cows (Genesis 41), Joseph was elevated from prisoner to second-in-command over all Egypt. Pharaoh gave Joseph his signet ring, dressed him in fine linen, and bestowed upon him the Egyptian name Zaphenath-Paneah along with Asenath as his wife (Genesis 41:42-45). When Joseph's family later arrived seeking grain, Pharaoh graciously welcomed Jacob's entire clan, offering them the choice land of Goshen and instructing Joseph to bring his family without concern for their possessions, declaring that "the best of all the land of Egypt" was theirs (Genesis 45:18-20). Acts 7:13 references this episode in Stephen's speech.

Significance

This Pharaoh stands as one of Scripture's most striking examples of a pagan ruler serving as an instrument of divine providence. His receptivity to Joseph's God-given wisdom and his extraordinary generosity toward a foreign family demonstrate that God's sovereign purposes operate through all nations and rulers. Theologically, this Pharaoh's actions fulfilled God's earlier promise to Abraham that his descendants would sojourn in a foreign land (Genesis 15:13). By welcoming Israel into Egypt, he unknowingly set the stage for the nation's formation, the Exodus, and ultimately the entire redemptive narrative. His role illustrates the principle that God orchestrates geopolitical events to preserve the covenant community through whom salvation would come to all peoples.

Verse Appearances (70)

Genesis

Genesis 37:36Genesis 39:1Genesis 40:2Genesis 40:7Genesis 40:11Genesis 40:13Genesis 40:14Genesis 40:17Genesis 40:19Genesis 40:20Genesis 40:21Genesis 41:1Genesis 41:4Genesis 41:7Genesis 41:8Genesis 41:9Genesis 41:10Genesis 41:14Genesis 41:15Genesis 41:16Genesis 41:17Genesis 41:25Genesis 41:28Genesis 41:32Genesis 41:33Genesis 41:34Genesis 41:35Genesis 41:37Genesis 41:38Genesis 41:39Genesis 41:41Genesis 41:42Genesis 41:44Genesis 41:45Genesis 41:46Genesis 41:55Genesis 42:15Genesis 42:16Genesis 44:18Genesis 45:2Genesis 45:8Genesis 45:16Genesis 45:17Genesis 45:21Genesis 46:5Genesis 46:31Genesis 46:33Genesis 47:1Genesis 47:2Genesis 47:3Genesis 47:4Genesis 47:5Genesis 47:7Genesis 47:8Genesis 47:9Genesis 47:10Genesis 47:11Genesis 47:14Genesis 47:19Genesis 47:20Genesis 47:22Genesis 47:23Genesis 47:24Genesis 47:25Genesis 47:26Genesis 50:4Genesis 50:6Genesis 50:7

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
  3. Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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