Pharaoh (in the days of Joseph)
Gentile Egyptian · Creation & Patriarchs · Old Testament
- Also called
- Pharaoh
- Name means
- Great house (royal title)
- Role
- King of Egypt who exalted Joseph
- When
- c. 1900 BC (traditional); the king is not named
What they did
Troubled by dreams of seven fat and seven lean kine, he heard Joseph's interpretation and set him over all Egypt. He welcomed Jacob's family and gave them the land of Goshen, and Jacob blessed him.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God used a Gentile king to preserve Israel during famine, and Pharaoh acknowledged that the Spirit of God was in Joseph.
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? Genesis 41:38 (KJV)
Bible references
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Genesis 41:15-16 (KJV)
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? Genesis 41:38 (KJV)
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41 (KJV)
And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. Genesis 47:5-7 (KJV)
Family
Gave Joseph Asenath as wife (Genesis 41:45).