The identity of the Pharaoh during the time of Moses and the Exodus is a subject that has intrigued scholars, theologians, and laypeople for centuries. The Bible itself does not provide the name of the Pharaoh who ruled Egypt during this pivotal period in Israelite history. However, through a combination of biblical chronology, historical records, and archaeological evidence, we can make educated guesses about who this Pharaoh might have been.
The story of Moses and the Exodus is primarily found in the book of Exodus, which is the second book of the Pentateuch. According to Exodus 1:8, a new king came to power in Egypt who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh felt threatened by the growing population of the Israelites and subsequently enslaved them. Later, another Pharaoh, during whose reign Moses was born, issued a decree to kill all Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:22). Moses' life was spared, and he was raised in Pharaoh's household. Eventually, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, confronting yet another Pharaoh who refused to let the Israelites go, resulting in the ten plagues and the eventual Exodus.
To identify the Pharaoh during Moses' time, we must consider the timeline of events described in the Bible and correlate them with Egyptian history. The traditional date for the Exodus, according to many biblical scholars, is around 1446 B.C., based on 1 Kings 6:1, which states that the Exodus occurred 480 years before Solomon began building the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon's reign is generally dated to around 970-930 B.C., so 480 years before this would place the Exodus in the mid-15th century B.C.
If we follow this timeline, the Pharaoh of the oppression, who began the enslavement of the Israelites, could have been Thutmose III (reigned 1479-1425 B.C.). Thutmose III was a powerful and expansionist ruler who conducted numerous military campaigns and built extensively. His reign fits the period when the Israelites were oppressed and enslaved.
The Pharaoh during the time of Moses' birth and early life could have been Amenhotep II (reigned 1427-1401 B.C.), the successor of Thutmose III. Amenhotep II is known to have continued his father's policies and military campaigns. It is plausible that he was the Pharaoh who issued the decree to kill Hebrew male infants, fearing the growing population of the Israelites.
The Pharaoh during the actual Exodus, who refused to let the Israelites go and faced the ten plagues, could have been Thutmose IV (reigned 1401-1391 B.C.) or Amenhotep III (reigned 1391-1353 B.C.). However, the traditional dating of the Exodus is not without challenges. Some scholars argue for a later date, around the 13th century B.C., based on archaeological evidence and the lack of specific references to the Exodus in Egyptian records.
If we consider the later date, the Pharaoh of the Exodus could have been Ramesses II (reigned 1279-1213 B.C.), one of the most powerful and well-known Pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Ramesses II is often associated with the Exodus story in popular culture and some scholarly circles because of the city of Pi-Ramesses, which he built and which is mentioned in Exodus 1:11 as one of the store cities the Israelites were forced to build.
However, there are issues with identifying Ramesses II as the Pharaoh of the Exodus. The timeline does not align perfectly with the biblical chronology, and there is no direct evidence linking him to the events described in Exodus. Additionally, the lack of Egyptian records mentioning the plagues and the Exodus could be due to the Egyptians' tendency to omit or downplay events that portrayed them in a negative light.
Another candidate for the Pharaoh of the Exodus is Merneptah (reigned 1213-1203 B.C.), the son of Ramesses II. The Merneptah Stele, an inscription dated to around 1208 B.C., mentions Israel as a people living in Canaan, suggesting that the Israelites were already established in the region by this time. This could imply that the Exodus occurred earlier, possibly during the reign of Ramesses II or even earlier.
In conclusion, while the Bible does not provide the name of the Pharaoh during Moses' time, several candidates have been proposed based on biblical chronology and historical records. Thutmose III, Amenhotep II, Thutmose IV, Amenhotep III, Ramesses II, and Merneptah are all plausible candidates, each with their own supporting evidence and challenges. The exact identity of the Pharaoh remains uncertain, but the story of Moses and the Exodus continues to be a powerful and enduring narrative of faith, liberation, and God's deliverance of His people.
The Exodus story is a foundational event in the history of Israel and has profound theological significance. It demonstrates God's power, faithfulness, and commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As Christians, we see the Exodus as a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who leads us out of the bondage of sin and into the freedom of eternal life with God.
