Pharaoh

Lore & Background

Pharaoh first appears when his princes see Sarai and commend her, leading to her being taken into his house (Genesis 12:15). The LORD then plagues Pharaoh and his house because of Sarai, Abram's wife (Genesis 12:17). Pharaoh calls Abram and asks why he did not reveal Sarai was his wife (Genesis 12:18), and then commands his men to send Abram away with his wife and all he had (Genesis 12:20). Later, Pharaoh is the ruler under whom Potiphar serves as an officer and captain of the guard (Genesis 37:36, Genesis 39:1). Pharaoh becomes angry with his chief butler and chief baker and puts them in prison (Genesis 40:2). On his birthday, he makes a feast and restores the butler to his position but hangs the baker (Genesis 40:20-21). Two years later, Pharaoh dreams of cows and ears of grain (Genesis 41:1, Genesis 41:4, Genesis 41:7), and when his magicians cannot interpret the dreams (Genesis 41:8), the chief butler remembers Joseph (Genesis 41:9). Pharaoh sends for Joseph, who interprets the dreams as God's revelation of coming events (Genesis 41:14, Genesis 41:16, Genesis 41:25, Genesis 41:28, Genesis 41:32).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Pharaoh as a powerful but fallible ruler who interacts with God's plans through human agents. Initially, he is shown as susceptible to the influence of his princes, taking Sarai into his house without knowing she was married (Genesis 12:15). When God plagues him, Pharaoh confronts Abram directly, demonstrating a sense of justice and indignation at being deceived (Genesis 12:17-18). He then acts decisively to send Abram away (Genesis 12:20). Later, Pharaoh exercises authority over his officers, imprisoning the butler and baker (Genesis 40:2) and later executing the baker while restoring the butler (Genesis 40:20-21). His dreams trouble him deeply, and he seeks interpretation from his magicians, but they fail (Genesis 41:8). When Joseph is brought before him, Pharaoh listens to Joseph's interpretation, which attributes the dreams to God (Genesis 41:16, Genesis 41:25, Genesis 41:28, Genesis 41:32). Throughout, Pharaoh is depicted as a monarch who can be moved by divine intervention and who relies on advisors, but who ultimately responds to the revelation of God's will.

Did You Know?

• Pharaoh was plagued by the LORD because he took Sarai, Abram's wife, into his house (Genesis 12:17).
• Pharaoh's birthday feast included the restoration of the chief butler and the execution of the chief baker (Genesis 40:20-21).
• Pharaoh's magicians and wise men could not interpret his dreams, leading him to call for Joseph (Genesis 41:8, Genesis 41:14).
• Joseph told Pharaoh that the doubling of his dream meant the matter was established by God (Genesis 41:32).