Pharaoh during the Time of Abram

Interesting Facts

• This Pharaoh’s officers demanded tithe from Abram upon entering Egypt.
• His servants forcibly opened a chest belonging to Abram and discovered Sarai’s beauty.
• He took Sarai to be his wife after finding her.
• The Lord plagued this Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai.
• Upon learning Sarai was Abram’s wife, this Pharaoh confronted Abram and returned Sarai to him with many possessions.

Genealogy

• The sources do not provide any information regarding the ancestry, birth, marital connections (other than his interaction with Sarai), or offspring of this Pharaoh.

Historical Context

The narrative places this Pharaoh in a time when Egypt had established customs regarding entry into the land, including the demand for tithes. The power of the Pharaoh is evident in his ability to take any woman he desired. The plagues sent by the Lord indicate a divine intervention in human affairs, a common theme in ancient texts. This period also highlights the vulnerability of strangers in a foreign land and the reliance on kinship for protection, as Abram instructed Sarai to present herself as his sister out of fear for his life. The Egyptians’ astonishment at Sarai’s beauty suggests a cultural appreciation for physical appearance.

Narrative

This Pharaoh’s story begins with the arrival of Abram and Sarai in Egypt during a famine. His officials’ actions upon their entry demonstrate the kingdom’s procedures for newcomers. The central conflict arises when Sarai’s beauty is discovered, leading the Pharaoh to take her into his household. However, this act is immediately followed by divine plagues upon the Pharaoh and his household. The connection between the plagues and Sarai is recognized, leading the Pharaoh to question Sarai and eventually Abram. Upon learning the truth, the Pharaoh, fearing further divine retribution, rebukes Abram for his deception and returns Sarai to him, along with significant wealth. This encounter demonstrates the Pharaoh’s power yet also his vulnerability to divine will and his eventual decision to appease that power.

Pharaoh during the Time of Joseph

Interesting Facts

• This Pharaoh dreamed two dreams in one night concerning a famine.
• His wise men and magicians were unable to interpret his dreams to his satisfaction.
• Upon the recommendation of the chief butler, he summoned Joseph, who was imprisoned, to interpret his dreams.
• He was convinced of the accuracy of Joseph’s interpretation after a sign Joseph provided came to pass.
• Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and counsel, this Pharaoh appointed Joseph as second in command over all of Egypt.

Genealogy

• The sources do not explicitly mention the name of this Pharaoh’s father or any other ancestry details. However, Jasher mentions that upon his death, his son Magron reigned in his stead. The birth of this Pharaoh’s son was also a sign confirming Joseph’s interpretation.

Historical Context

This period in Egypt was marked by a strong belief in dreams and the importance of their interpretation, as evidenced by the presence of wise men and magicians tasked with this role. The Pharaoh’s dreams foreshadowed a severe famine, a recurring threat in ancient agricultural societies. The narrative highlights the Pharaoh’s reliance on divine guidance and his willingness to elevate a foreigner based on his perceived wisdom and ability to provide solutions to a national crisis. The elaborate ceremony accompanying Joseph’s appointment as second in command reflects the hierarchical structure and the value placed on royal authority and public recognition.

Narrative

This Pharaoh’s personal story revolves around his prophetic dreams of the seven fat and lean kine and the seven full and blasted ears of corn, foretelling seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Frustrated by the inadequate interpretations of his own wise men, he learned of Joseph’s dream interpretation skills through the chief butler. Upon hearing Joseph’s interpretation and receiving a miraculous sign confirming its truth, the Pharaoh recognized Joseph’s divine wisdom. He then made the pivotal decision to appoint Joseph to a position of immense power, tasking him with preparing for and managing the impending famine. This action demonstrates the Pharaoh’s pragmatism and his willingness to prioritize the well-being of his kingdom, even if it meant entrusting authority to a foreigner. His interactions with Joseph reveal a ruler who respected wisdom and valued effective governance.

Magron, Son of the Pharaoh during Joseph’s Later Years

Interesting Facts

• His father, the Pharaoh who elevated Joseph, commanded Joseph to be a father and advisor to him before his death.
• Magron became king at the age of forty-one and reigned for forty years.
• Despite becoming king, he placed the laws and government of Egypt in Joseph’s hands, following his father’s command.
• During his reign, all of Egypt loved Joseph and desired him as their king, although some resisted a stranger ruling.
• All of Egypt called him Pharaoh, continuing the custom established after Rikayon.

Genealogy

• Magron was the son of the Pharaoh who reigned during Joseph’s later years. No information is provided about his mother or any other familial connections beyond his father and his own reign.

Historical Context

Magron’s reign occurred after the significant impact Joseph had on Egypt, particularly in managing the famine and gaining the favor of the populace. The cultural context shows a continuation of the practice of calling the king “Pharaoh”. The tension between the Egyptians’ love for Joseph and the resistance to a foreign ruler highlights the complex social dynamics of the time. The fact that the deceased Pharaoh entrusted the governance to Joseph underscores the immense respect and authority Joseph held in Egypt.

Narrative

Magron’s narrative begins with his ascension to the throne upon his father’s death. Following his father’s instructions, Magron entrusted the governance of Egypt to Joseph, acknowledging Joseph’s wisdom and capabilities. While Magron held the title of king, Joseph effectively ruled the land, administering justice, leading wars, and receiving tribute from surrounding nations. Magron’s role appears to be largely symbolic, deferring to Joseph’s authority due to his father’s wishes and the widespread support Joseph enjoyed among the Egyptians. His reign demonstrates a period of continued prosperity and security under Joseph’s guidance, even with a new Pharaoh on the throne.

Melol, Son of the Pharaoh at the Time of Joseph’s Death

Interesting Facts

• Melol became Pharaoh 102 years after the Israelites went down to Egypt.
• He was twenty years old when he began his reign and ruled for ninety-four years.
• During his reign, the generation that knew Joseph and his good deeds had died out.
• A new generation arose in Egypt that did not remember Joseph’s contributions, leading them to afflict the Israelites with hard labor.
• All of Egypt called him Pharaoh, continuing the established custom.

Genealogy

• Melol was the son of the Pharaoh who died 102 years after the Israelites’ arrival in Egypt. The sources do not provide further details about his genealogy.

Historical Context

Melol’s reign marks a significant shift in the relationship between the Egyptians and the Israelites. The passage of time led to a collective amnesia regarding the past benefits the Israelites had brought to Egypt during the famine. This forgetfulness, coupled with the rise of a new generation, created an environment where the Israelites were no longer viewed favorably but rather as a subject population to be exploited. This change in attitude set the stage for the hardships and oppression that would later define the Israelites’ experience in Egypt.

Narrative

Melol’s narrative commences with his ascension to the throne after the death of his father. His reign is characterized by the gradual erosion of the favorable treatment the Israelites had enjoyed under Joseph and his predecessor. As the memory of Joseph’s contributions faded, a new generation of Egyptians, including Melol, began to view the Israelites differently. This shift in perspective led to the imposition of harsh labor and the embittering of the Israelites’ lives. Melol’s actions, or lack thereof in preventing the oppression, signify the beginning of a darker chapter for Jacob’s descendants in Egypt. His long reign of ninety-four years would likely have solidified this oppressive dynamic.