Interesting Facts

• Melol was the son of Pharaoh.
• Melol began to reign at the age of twenty.
• Melol reigned for ninety-four years.
• During Melol’s reign, the Egyptians forgot the good deeds of Joseph and his brethren towards them.
• All of Egypt called Melol ‘Pharaoh’ after the name of his father, following their custom for every king.

Genealogy

• Melol was the son of the Pharaoh who reigned before him.
• The sources do not provide any information about Melol’s mother, siblings, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

The reign of Melol is situated in the context of the Israelites’ sojourn in Egypt, specifically one hundred and two years after their descent. A significant shift in Egyptian societal memory occurred during this period; the generation that had known Joseph and witnessed his beneficial acts, along with his brethren, had passed away. A new generation arose that was ignorant of this history and the past favors bestowed upon Egypt by Jacob’s sons. Consequently, this new generation of Egyptians began to afflict the children of Jacob with hard labor and embitter their lives, seizing the lands and possessions that Joseph had previously granted them. This oppression, according to the text, was also ordained by the Lord for the ultimate benefit of the Israelites, to instill in them the knowledge of their God and the wonders He would perform for them. The cultural dynamic shifted from one of relative acceptance due to Joseph’s past contributions to one of harsh subjugation based on ignorance of that history and, perhaps, a fear of the growing Israelite population.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Melol begins with his accession to the throne of Egypt upon the death of his father, Pharaoh. The text notes that Melol was twenty years old at the start of his ninety-four-year reign. His reign is marked by a crucial turning point in the relationship between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Unlike the previous Pharaoh who knew Joseph, Melol and his contemporaries were ignorant of the positive history. This lack of historical awareness led to a period of increased oppression and affliction of the Israelites. The Egyptians, under Melol’s rule, revoked the privileges and possessions previously granted to Jacob’s descendants. Melol’s long reign thus coincided with the intensification of the Israelites’ hardship in Egypt, setting the stage for the events that would eventually lead to their exodus. While Melol himself is not depicted engaging in direct dialogues or specific personal actions beyond his ascension and the overall policies enacted during his rule, his significance lies in the systemic oppression that characterized his time as Pharaoh, a stark contrast to the era of Joseph’s influence. The continuation of the custom of calling the king ‘Pharaoh’ highlights a sense of tradition and continuity in Egyptian rule despite the significant change in their treatment of the Israelites.