pharaoh

Everyday

1. A pharaoh was a king of ancient Egypt, who ruled the land and was thought by Egyptians to be a god. tree →
2. (Bible) Pharaoh is the king of Egypt in the stories of Joseph and of Moses, who would not let the Israelites go free until the plagues came. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons pharaohs are linked to the pyramids, mummies, tombs and hieroglyphs; Tutankhamun is a famous pharaoh whose tomb was found full of treasure. In Bible stories Pharaoh is the proud ruler who keeps the Israelites as slaves; Moses says to him "Let my people go". Phrases: the pharaoh's tomb, the court of Pharaoh, a mighty pharaoh.

Examples

• The pharaoh was buried inside a huge pyramid. tree →
• We made a model of a pharaoh's gold mask in class. tree →
• Tutankhamun became pharaoh when he was only a boy. tree →
• Moses told Pharaoh, "Let my people go." tree →
• Pharaoh had a strange dream about seven fat cows and seven thin cows. tree →
• The pharaohs built temples along the river Nile. tree →
• In the museum we saw the mummy of a pharaoh's servant. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: p-h-a-r-a-o-h (the "ao" comes before the final h); say "FAIR-oh". Plural pharaohs. In the Bible, "Pharaoh" is used like a name, with no "the".

In Jewish tradition

In Genesis and Exodus Pharaoh is the king who raises Joseph, and later the one who enslaves Israel and refuses to let them go.

Interpretation. At Passover Jews retell how God freed Israel from Pharaoh; the rabbis often see his hard heart as a picture of stubborn pride.

Examples

• And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. (Torah GEN.41.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses. (Torah EXO.1.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. (Torah EXO.8.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.' (Prophets EZK.31.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have compared thee, O my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots. (Writings SNG.1.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people; (Prophets JER.25.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling trap: p-h-a-r-a-o-h (the "ao" comes before the final h); say "FAIR-oh". Plural pharaohs. In the Bible, "Pharaoh" is used like a name, with no "the".