Pharaoh (Joseph's)

Also known as: Pharaoh of former days · Family: Egyptians · Role: ruler of Egypt · First appears: Joseph'S Three Masters

As ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh condemned the chief butler and the chief baker to death; on the third day after a son was born to him, he restored the butler to office and had the baker hanged. Later, when he remembered his dreams of the kine and ears of corn, he summoned interpreters under threat of death and offered rewards for a true interpretation. After the wise men failed, he ordered them killed, but Mirod urged him to spare them and summon Joseph from the dungeon. Pharaoh revoked the death edict and heard Joseph interpret the dreams.

Joseph foretold that Pharaoh's wife would bear a son and that Pharaoh’s older son would die. Both reports came to pass; the next morning Pharaoh appointed Joseph second in the land, gave him authority over the people and princes, installed him in high office, and bestowed gifts and the name Zaphenath-paneah. He directed Egyptians seeking bread to obey Joseph, and later received Jacob, whom Joseph presented to him. Pharaoh first refused Joseph permission to carry Jacob’s body to Canaan, then relented when Joseph reminded him of his oath.

Pharaoh refused Pharaoh's first-born son’s request to marry Asenath. After the son later tried to reach Pharaoh’s bedchamber to kill him, the palace guard barred the way; when Levi brought the wounded son to Pharaoh, the king thanked him. Pharaoh died at 177, leaving his crown to Joseph and entrusting his successor, Magron, and the affairs of state to Joseph.