Identities of Pharaohs in the Exodus Narrative
The identity of the Pharaohs in the Exodus narrative is a topic of ongoing scholarly debate. The term "Pharaoh" is not a personal name but a title given to the rulers of ancient Egypt, corresponding to the Egyptian term "per-aa," meaning "great house" [1, 3]. This title is used throughout the biblical account of the Exodus, making it challenging to pinpoint the specific Pharaohs involved.
In the Exodus narrative, the Pharaoh is portrayed as the oppressor of the Israelites. Exodus 1:8 introduces a new king who did not know Joseph, indicating a change in leadership or dynasty [4]. The Pharaoh of the Exodus is often associated with the Pharaoh who experienced the ten plagues and the subsequent destruction of his army in the Red Sea [2, 8]. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the destruction of Pharaoh's army is seen as evidence that Pharaoh himself perished, as stated in Psalm 106:11 [8].
The biblical text does not provide a clear indication of the specific Pharaohs involved in the narrative. However, various traditions and scholarly interpretations have attempted to identify them. One approach is to analyze the historical and archaeological records to match the events described in Exodus with known Egyptian dynasties and rulers.
The term "Pharaoh" is first used in Genesis 12:15, where Abraham is received by Pharaoh [3]. This Pharaoh is distinct from the one during the time of Moses. The Pharaoh during Moses' time is characterized by his interactions with Moses and Aaron, as recorded in Exodus 5 and subsequent chapters [6]. Ezekiel 29:3 and 32:2 also refer to Pharaoh as a symbol of Egypt's power, using imagery that was familiar to the Egyptians, such as the lion and the sea monster or crocodile [7, 9].
Some scholars have attempted to identify the Pharaoh of the Exodus with specific Egyptian rulers based on historical records and archaeological findings. However, the biblical account does not provide sufficient information to make a definitive identification. John Gill notes that Pharaoh was a common name among Egyptian kings, often accompanied by a surname or distinctive title, such as Pharaoh Hophra in Jeremiah 44:30 [5].
The lack of a personal name for Pharaoh in the biblical account is consistent with the Egyptian practice of using titles rather than personal names for their rulers. Smith's Bible Dictionary explains that the title "Pharaoh" corresponds to the Egyptian "P-ra" or "Ph-ra," meaning "the sun," although some Egyptologists interpret it as meaning "the great house" [1].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Pharaoh — the common title of the native kings of Egypt in the Bible, corresponding to P-ra or Ph-ra "the sun," of the hieroglyphics. Brugsch, Ebers and other modern Egyptologists define it to mean 'the great house," which would correspond to our "the Sublime Porte." As several kings are mentioned only by the title "Pharaoh" in the Bible, it is important to endeavor to discriminate them: + The Pharaoh of Abraham . (Genesis 12:15)--At the time at which the patriarch went into Egypt, it is generally held that the country, or at least lower Egypt, was ruled by the Shephe”
- Exodus “Exodus 14:18 (LEB) — And the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I display my glory through Pharaoh, through his chariots, and through his charioteers.””
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 12:15: 12:15 Pharaoh was a title, not a personal name (37:36; Exod 1:15).”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 1:15: 1:15 Pharaoh is a title for the Egyptian ruler, not a personal name. • The origins of the word Hebrew are unclear. As used by the Egyptians and Philistines in reference to the Israelites, it was apparently a derogatory term for a despised underclass. • Whatever the number of Hebrew people (see study note on 12:37), there were clearly more than two midwives for the whole nation. Probably the two named here, Shiphrah and Puah, are representatives of the whole group. The differences between Pharaoh and the midwives are dramatic. He had great political and military po”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 44:30: Thus saith the Lord, behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt,.... Pharaoh was a common name of the kings of Egypt, who usually had some surname, by which they were distinguished; and the surname of the then present king of Egypt was Hophra; whom the Septuagint and others call Vaphres; and, Herodotus (l) Apries. The Targum renders it Pharaoh the broken; and the Syriac version Pharaoh the lame: now it is here predicted as a sign of the destruction of the Jews in Egypt, which should follow after, that God would deliver this king into the hand of his enemies,”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 5 (introduction): FIRST INTERVIEW WITH PHARAOH. (Exo. 5:1-23) Moses and Aaron went in--As representatives of the Hebrews, they were entitled to ask an audience of the king, and their thorough Egyptian training taught them how and when to seek it. and told Pharaoh--When introduced, they delivered a message in the name of the God of Israel. This is the first time He is mentioned by that national appellation in Scripture. It seems to have been used by divine direction (Exo 4:2) and designed to put honor on the Hebrews in their depressed condition (Heb 11:16)”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 32:2: 32:2-3 Ezekiel returns to the image of Pharaoh as a mighty beast (29:3). • Egypt’s pharaohs used the lion and the sea monster (or crocodile) as images of strength, yet both creatures could be hunted and killed, and that is what would happen to Pharaoh. God, through his agents (32:11-12), would hunt Pharaoh, catch him, and haul him in.”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 14:28: there remained not so much as one of them--It is surprising that, with such a declaration, some intelligent writers can maintain there is no evidence of the destruction of Pharaoh himself (Psa 106:11).”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 32:2: 32:2-3 Ezekiel returns to the image of Pharaoh as a mighty beast (29:3). • Egypt’s pharaohs used the lion and the sea monster (or crocodile) as images of strength, yet both creatures could be hunted and killed, and that is what would happen to Pharaoh. God, through his agents (32:11-12), would hunt Pharaoh, catch him, and haul him in.”