Who was the Egyptian pharaoh challenged Moses? (2024)

Historians theorize the identity behind one of the Bible’s most vengeful villains.

ByJean-Pierre Isbouts

Published December 28, 2018

4 min read

National Geographic explores notable biblical figures in our ongoing series People in the Bible, as part of our coverage of the history of the Bible and the search for sacred texts.

The Egyptian king is the principal villain of the Exodus story. Unlike the pha­raoh who knew Joseph, the pharaoh of Moses is cruel and vindictive. When Moses asks him to release the Israelites, Pharaoh makes the slaves work harder, depriving them of straw to make sun-dried mud bricks, even though the daily quota of finished bricks must remain the same (Exodus 5:7-8).

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The identity of Pharaoh in the Moses story has been much debated, but many scholars are inclined to accept that Exodus has King Ramses II in mind. The Bible confirms that the Israelites were to build “supply cities, Pithom and Ramses, for Pharaoh.” Egyptian records confirm that the kings of the 19th dynasty (ca 1293–1185 B.C.E.) launched a major mili­tary program in the Levant. As part of this effort, King Seti I (ca 1290–1279 B.C.E.) built a new garri­son city, which his successor, Ramses II (ca 1279– 1213 B.C.E.), later called Pi-Ramesses. Ramses II also built a second city dedicated to his personal patron, Atum, called Per Atum. These two cities are quite possibly the biblical Ramses and Pithom.

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The Egyptian origin of the story is also empha­sized by the name of “Moses.” The Book of Exodus says that his name is derived from the Hebrew verb moshe, which means “to draw out.” However, mose or moses is also a very common Egyptian patronymic, as in Tutmoses, meaning “son of Tut.”

Finally, the very first reference to “Israel” appears on the Victory Stela of Pharaoh Merneptah, one of Ramses’ sons. This monument is dated around 1207 B.C.E., which suggests that the Exodus story must be set in a time period prior to the reign of Merneptah, possibly between 1280 and 1220 B.C.E. No record of the exodus has been found in any Egyptian tablets, but that is not unusual; the new dynasty did not make a habit of recording its defeats. On the other hand, there are ample records of Semitic immigrant workers in Egypt, who may have drifted back to Syria-Canaan in the 13th century for a variety of reasons—including, perhaps, Ramses’ harsh poli­cies of conscripting labor.

Entries in this series are excerpts from the National Geographic special issue 50 Most Influential Figures of the Bible, which was adapted from Who's Who in the Bible: Unforgettable People and Timeless Stories from Genesis to Revelation, published by National Geographic Books.

Who was the Egyptian pharaoh challenged Moses? (2024)

FAQs

How old was Moses when Pharaoh challenged? ›

According to the biblical narrative, Moses lived 120 years and was 80 when he confronted Pharaoh, but there is no indication how old he was when he went to see the Hebrews.

What happened between Pharaoh and Moses? ›

Exulting, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, but Pharaoh tried to ambush the Hebrews near the “Sea of Reeds.” Moses spread his hands and a strong eastern wind forged a path through the waters. As soon as Pharaoh's chariots tried to plunge after them, the waters returned and Pharaoh's army drowned.

Why was Moses scared of Pharaoh? ›

Moses's fear was that his actions leading to the death of the Egyptian would reach the ears of Pharaoh. But once Pharaoh discovered his secret the story does not say that fear caused Moses to leave. The author of Hebrews wants his readers to make this distinction.

Which Pharaoh was in power when Moses was born? ›

If this is true, then the oppressive pharaoh noted in Exodus (1:2–2:23) was Seti I (reigned 1318–04), and the pharaoh during the Exodus was Ramses II (c. 1304–c. 1237). In short, Moses was probably born in the late 14th century bce.

Which pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea? ›

2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Ancient History, Classical History and Mythology
Ramesses II
Ramesses the Great alternatively transcribed as Ramses and Rameses
Born1302 BC
Died1213 BC
BurialKV7
13 more rows

Which pharaoh was found in Red Sea? ›

RED SEA PHARAOH'S MUMMY UNVEILED; Body Discovered Some Years Ago Proved to be That of Menephtah. - The New York Times. RED SEA PHARAOH'S MUMMY UNVEILED; Body Discovered Some Years Ago Proved to be That of Menephtah.

Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart? ›

The great Egyptian-Jewish scholar Maimonides argued that God hardens Pharaoh's heart as punishment for previous sins, while Martin Luther interprets God's interference as a necessary demonstration of divine power.

Why is Moses not mentioned in Egyptian history? ›

Though the names of Moses and others in the biblical narratives are Egyptian and contain genuine Egyptian elements, no extrabiblical sources point clearly to Moses. No references to Moses appear in any Egyptian sources prior to the fourth century BCE, long after he is believed to have lived.

What happened to Ramses in the Bible? ›

He aspired to defeat the Hittites and control all of Syria, but in the fifth year of his reign Ramses walked into a Hittite trap laid for him at Kadesh, on the Orontes River in Syria. By sheer determination he fought his way out, but in the light of his purpose the battle was an utter failure.

Is Ramses mentioned in the Bible? ›

1279–1213 BC): Ramesses II, or Ramesses The Great, is the most common figure for the Exodus pharaoh as one of the most long-standing rulers at the height of Egyptian power and because Rameses is mentioned in the Bible as a place name (see Genesis 47:11, Exodus 1:11, Numbers 33:3, etc).

Which pharaoh was killed by his brother? ›

Ramesses III was the son of Setnakhte and Tiy-Merenese. He was assassinated in the Harem conspiracy led by his secondary wife Tiye and her eldest son Pentawere.
...
Ramesses III
Died1155 BC (aged 61-62)
BurialKV11
MonumentsMedinet Habu
12 more rows

Who was the last true Egyptian pharaoh? ›

Cleopatra (69 BCE–August 30, 30 BCE) was the ruler of Egypt as Cleopatra VII Philopater, She was the last of the Ptolemy dynasty of Egyptian rulers, and the very last Pharaoh of Egypt, ending a dynastic rule of some 5,000 years.

Which pharaoh fought the sea people? ›

In this battle the Egyptians, led by Ramesses III, defeated the Sea Peoples, who were attempting to invade Egypt by land and sea. Almost all that is known about the battle comes from the mortuary temple of Ramesses III in Medinet Habu.

Why is Ramses II so significant? ›

Ramses II (r. 1279-1213 BC) was undoubtedly the greatest pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty – and one of the most important leaders of ancient Egypt. The ostentatious pharaoh is best remembered for his exploits at the Battle of Kadesh, his architectural legacy, and for bringing Egypt into its golden age.

What happened to Pharoah at the Red Sea? ›

But Pharaoh changes his mind and gives chase until he corners the fugitives at the Red Sea, whereupon Moses, at God's command, causes the waters to part so that the Israelites can pass safely across. When Pharaoh and his troops try to follow, the water returns and they are all drowned.

Which pharaoh ruled the longest? ›

That's an impressive length of time, no doubt. But the record for world's longest-ruling monarch belongs to the pharaoh Pepi II, who came to power in ancient Egypt more than four millennia ago (4293 years, to be precise) and remained in power for a full 94 years.

Who was the youngest pharaoh to rule? ›

Tut became pharaoh of Egypt in 1332 B.C. at the age of nine. He ruled the country at a time of conflict, when battles over land raged between Egypt and the neighboring kingdom of Nubia. Nearly a decade after coming to power, the young leader died at about 18. But historians didn't know much about Tut until 1922.

Who was the youngest pharaoh to ever rule? ›

Tutankhamun was between eight and nine years of age when he ascended the throne and became pharaoh, taking the throne name Nebkheperure. He reigned for about nine years. During Tutankhamun's reign the position of Vizier had been split between Upper and Lower Egypt. The principal vizier for Upper Egypt was Usermontu.

How old was pharaoh's son when he died? ›

Like the biblical firstborn, Amun-her Khepeshef did not survive his father. He died in his 40s or early 50s, after participating in a number of Ramses' military campaigns as an army general and an overseer of the chariotry.

Who was the oldest pharaoh to rule? ›

Narmer
Verso of Narmer Palette
Pharaoh
Reignc. 3150 BC (1st Dynasty)
PredecessorKa
6 more rows

Who was the last pharaoh on earth? ›

Most Egyptologists, people who study ancient Egypt, think that Menes was the first pharaoh of Egypt, and they know that Cleopatra VII was the last. There were about 170 pharaohs in all. Pharaohs were the King or Queen of Egypt.

Who was the last pharaoh to ever live? ›

Cleopatra (69 BCE–August 30, 30 BCE) was the ruler of Egypt as Cleopatra VII Philopater, She was the last of the Ptolemy dynasty of Egyptian rulers, and the very last Pharaoh of Egypt, ending a dynastic rule of some 5,000 years.

Who was the first female pharaoh? ›

1473–58 bce) who attained unprecedented power for a woman, adopting the full titles and regalia of a pharaoh. Hatshepsut, the elder daughter of the 18th-dynasty king Thutmose I and his consort Ahmose, was married to her half brother Thutmose II, son of the lady Mutnofret.

Who was the most ruthless pharaoh? ›

Akhenaten
Akhenaten Amenhotep IV
Reign1353–1336 BC 1351–1334 BC (18th Dynasty of Egypt)
PredecessorAmenhotep III
SuccessorSmenkhkare
Royal titulary
12 more rows

Who was the greatest pharaoh of all time? ›

Ramses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, is often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire.

Who is the most famous Egyptian pharaoh? ›

The most famous pharaoh of all time is King Tutankhamun. He ascended the throne at the tender age of nine or 10 but his reign only lasted from 1332 BC to 1323 BC. Although the young king introduced many religious reforms he was not well renowned for his achievements as a ruler.

Did Moses marry Pharaoh's daughter? ›

Muslims identify her with Asiya, the Great Royal Wife of the pharaoh. In either version, she saved Moses from certain death from both the Nile river and from the Pharaoh.
...
Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus)
Pharaoh's daughter
SpouseMered
ChildrenMoses (adoptive)
ReligionAncient Egyptian religion (formerly) Yahwism (convert)
NationalityEgyptian
4 more rows

Who ordered the first born to be killed? ›

That night, God sent the angel of death to kill the firstborn sons of the Egyptians. God told Moses to order the Israelite families to sacrifice a lamb and smear the blood on the door of their houses. In this way the angel would know to 'pass over' the houses of the Israelites.

How many black pharaohs were there? ›

There the Nubian king Piye became the first of a succession of five "black pharaohs" who ruled Egypt for six decades with the blessing of the Egyptian priesthood.

Which pharaoh was killed by a hippo? ›

According to Manetho, Menes reigned for 62 years and was killed by a hippopotamus.

How many wives did pharaohs have? ›

Kings might have as many as several hundred wives, and in some periods other high officials took more than one wife. Also, the tradition of brother/sister or father/daughter marriages was mostly confined to the royalty of Egypt, at least until the Greek period.

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