Why a New King Who Knew Not Joseph Arose Over Egypt

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Shemot 7:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

The prophet said (Hosea 5:7): "Against the LORD have they dealt treacherously, for they have begotten alien children" — for they would beget and not circumcise. (The verse continues:) "Now shall a month devour them" (ibid.). It is written ḥadash ("new"). Hence: "And there arose a new king who knew not Joseph" (Exodus 1:8). And he was not acquainted with Joseph, since it says, "who knew not Joseph." Rabbi Abbin the Levite, son of Rabbi, said: To what is the matter comparable? To one who threw stones at the icon of a king — that is, at his likeness (the governor's image). The king said: Take him and cut off his head; now he does such a thing to this one, tomorrow he will do it to me. So too Pharaoh: now he said, "who knew not Joseph"; tomorrow he said, "I know not the LORD" (Exodus 5:2).

Themes

EgyptJosephKingsWarExodus

Biblical References

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