Pharaoh (of the Exodus)
The Pharaoh of the Exodus ruled Egypt during the period of Israelite enslavement and repeatedly refused Moses' repeated requests, issued at God's command, to allow the Hebrews to leave and worship in the wilderness. His hardened stance prompted a series of ten escalating plagues that afflicted Egypt's land, people, and gods, demonstrating the Lord's supremacy over Pharaoh and the Egyptian pantheon while sparing the Israelites. The account culminates in the final plague, the death of the firstborn, which led to the Passover institution and the Israelites' departure, an event that forms the cornerstone of Israel's national identity, covenant relationship with God, and subsequent scriptural themes of redemption and deliverance.
Biography
- Occupation
- Pharaoh of Egypt
- Era
- Exodus (c. 1446 BC)
- Nationality
- Egyptian
- Also Known As
- Possibly Amenhotep II or Ramesses II
Did You Know?
The biblical text notes that Pharaoh offered successive compromises during the plagues. Such as allowing only the men to worship or leaving livestock behind. Reflecting Egyptian economic dependence on Israelite slave labor in agriculture and construction.
Pharaoh's magicians initially replicated the first two plagues using staffs and secret arts, illustrating the sophisticated ritual magic of New Kingdom Egypt before they were forced to concede defeat by the third plague.
The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is described as occurring both through his own volition and divine intervention at different points, underscoring a nuanced theological interplay between human agency and sovereignty in the Exodus account.
The tenth plague struck Pharaoh's own firstborn son, a detail that carried profound implications for royal succession in a culture where the pharaoh was viewed as a divine incarnation ensuring Egypt's stability.
Egyptian forces deployed 600 elite chariots in pursuit of the Israelites, a specific military detail aligning with New Kingdom innovations in chariot technology that emphasized speed and archery in desert warfare.
Key Passages
Pharaoh's Hard Heart
Exodus 7:10-14
This passage reveals how repeatedly resisting God's clear call hardens the heart, urging us instead to respond with humble openness.
10nd Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
The Tenth Plague
Exodus 12:29-33
This passage shows God's power to break through even the hardest hearts and deliver His people into freedom.
29nd it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
Pharaoh Pursues Israel
Exodus 14:5-10
This passage shows how God allows opposition to arise so He can display His power in rescuing those He loves.
5nd it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?