Pharaoh

Also known as: Pharaoh king of Egypt / king of Egypt / the king of Egypt · Family: Egypt · Role: ruler of Egypt · First appears: Genesis 12

In Genesis 12, Pharaoh took Sarah into his house after she was presented as Abraham’s sister, but God plagued Pharaoh and his household because of her. Pharaoh confronted Abraham, restored Sarah to him, and sent them away with all they had. In Genesis 40, he imprisoned two officers, later restored one and hanged the other; in Genesis 41, he summoned Joseph from prison after God revealed the coming years of plenty and famine. Pharaoh appointed Joseph over all Egypt, placing him below only Pharaoh, and directed the people to him for grain.

Pharaoh later ordered Joseph to bring Jacob and his household from Canaan, sent wagons for them, and granted Jacob and his brethren the land of Goshen; Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Through Joseph, Pharaoh acquired the land of Egypt during the famine and established a fifth-part tax, while also permitting Joseph to bury his father. Then a new king arose who did not know Joseph, imposed forced labor on the Israelites, commanded Shiphrah and Puah to kill newborn sons, and ordered the sons thrown into the river while daughters were spared.

When Moses and Aaron demanded Israel’s release, Pharaoh refused, saying, “I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” He withheld straw while keeping the brick quota, increased the people’s labor, and repeatedly hardened his heart as God sent signs and plagues through Moses and Aaron. Pharaoh made brief promises after the frogs, hail, and locusts, but withdrew them; after darkness and the warning of the final plague, he ordered Moses and Aaron to leave Egypt when his firstborn was struck. He then pursued Israel, but God troubled his host and overthrew Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea.