The Egyptian Pharaohs with Joseph

By Mary Jane Chaignot

Categories: Joseph, Men in the Old Testament

Most scholars think Joseph lived in Egypt between 2000 and 1600 BCE.
The historical period known as the “Middle Kingdom” lasts from 2000 to 1786 BCE.
This is one of Egypt’s greatest times.
There are 8 Pharaohs during this time - comprising Egypt’s 12^th Dynasty.
Joseph might have come to Egypt during the reign of Sesostris II (1894-1878 BCE).
He most likely begins his career under Sesostris III (1878-1841 BCE). He lives in Egypt for 71 years, so Joseph dies in approximately 1805 BCE, under the reign of Amenemhet III (1841-1797 BCE).
Sesostris III is a most influential Pharaoh; he conquers Nubia (Ethopia) and greatly expands Egypt’s territory.
He also institutes many administrative reforms which lead to the demise of the local nobility.
Some scholars question this timeframe, but there are good arguments supporting it.
According to 1 Kings 6:1, the Exodus occurs 480 years before the fourth year of Solomon. Solomon’s fourth year is 966BCE. That places the Exodus at ca. 1446 BCE.
Exodus 12:40 says Joseph went to Egypt 430 years before the Exodus. That would be ca. 1876 BCE.
Despite these dates, some scholars think Joseph was in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (ca 1630-1523 BCE), or “the Hyksos Period,” yet the context doesn’t fit.
The Hyksos Period is not a time of greatness for Egypt.
The name, Hyksos, means “rulers of foreign lands.”
They never have any lasting rule over all of Egypt - only the delta region.
Nonetheless, a popular theory is that the Israelites were somehow related to the Hyksos. It would, therefore, be more likely that they would allow a fellow countryman (Joseph) to attain a high official position.
Yet, that puts Joseph in Egypt around 1650 BCE, which was roughly 220 years later.
Scholars look to the texts for additional information to decide the matter.
Genesis 37 states that Joseph’s brothers sell him for 20 shekels of silver.
That is the average price for a slave during the Middle Kingdom.
Before that time, it is roughly 10-15 and later it became 30-40 shekels.
Joseph works as a slave, a practice that becomes widespread during the Middle Kingdom period.
Many slaves are owned by private individuals, such as Potifar.
Genesis 41:14 states that before Joseph meets with Pharaoh, he puts on clean clothes and shaves. The Egyptians abhor facial hair and are a clean people. The Hyksos have no such proclivities.
The Pharaoh rewards Joseph by making him “ruler over all the land of Egypt.”
The Hyksos never “rule over all the land of Egypt.” Sesostris III does.
Pharaoh gives Joseph the daughter of Potiphera, Priest of On, to be his wife.
“On” is the center of solar worship in Egypt. The main god is Ra or Re.
The main god of the Hyksos is Set.
If this is a Hyksos Pharaoh, it should be a priest of Set.
Scholars think Pharaoh makes Joseph Vizier of Egypt, giving him ultimate responsibility.
With Joseph in charge, the Pharaoh can go about his daily life.
Servants clean and dress Pharaoh every morning.
He wears fine linens or kilts. His clothes set him apart from his subjects.
On his feet are sandals oftentimes made of feathers.
They adorn him with jewelry comprised of large gold necklaces.
He also wears a large headdress, called a nemes.
The headdress has accordion pleating over his head. It is held in place by a tightfitting band that extends over his eyebrows and is tied in the back.
He wears his hair short, though some wear wigs made out of human hair.
He wears black makeup on his eyelids. It is made from a type of black paint called kohl.
His arms are rubbed with scented oils and perfumes.
His morning meal consists of bread and fruit.
His cupbearer tastes everything before he starts to eat.
Oftentimes, he eats with his wife.
His day is filled with meetings. People come and kneel before him.
Foreign rulers shower him with gifts.
He might include his family while eating his midday meal.
After a full day, Pharaoh goes to give thanks to his god, Ra or Re.
He talks to his god, asking questions, and getting inspired answers.
Then, in a show of gratitude, he sacrifices a bull to the god.
As Pharaoh, he eats a rich diet – including vegetables, meat, fowl, and lots of wine.
Later in the day, he walks among the people and oversees the construction of new buildings built to honor him.
When he dies, he will be buried in a pyramid.
He will spend years planning the items that will be buried with him.
These will include items that interested him in life and amulets that will ward off harmful spirits. There might also be some tools, furniture, games – anything that might be helpful in the transition to the afterlife.
A woman can also become a Pharaoh, but during this period the Pharaohs are all male.

Bible Characters