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פַּרְעֹה (par.oh)

par.oh

Pharaoh

H6547 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 208 verses

N:N--T

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
208 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N--T

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun par.oh functions as the standard title for the kings of ancient Egypt, appearing over two hundred times in the Old Testament. It is most prominent in the narratives of Genesis and Exodus, where it designates the powerful ruler who encounters the patriarchs and later confronts Moses. The term operates much like a proper name in many passages, standing alone to identify the monarch without additional titles, as seen when Joseph interprets dreams for Pharaoh in Genesis 41 or when the king of Egypt pursues Israel out of the sea in Exodus 15:4.

Its origin lies in Egyptian rather than Semitic roots. Lexical sources trace it to the phrase per-aa, meaning "great house," which originally referred to the royal palace before becoming a metonym for the king himself. This linguistic shift explains why the Hebrew text often uses the word as if it were a personal name, such as Pharaoh Necho in 2 Kings 23:29. The term carries significant theological weight in Scripture, serving as the primary earthly antagonist to God’s deliverance of His people.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Pharaoh appears over two hundred times in the Old Testament, standing as a symbol of earthly power and opposition to God’s people. Originally meaning "great house," it referred to the royal palace before becoming a title for the king himself. In Scripture, this figure often represents the forces that seek to oppress or intimidate believers, yet his stories consistently reveal the limits of human authority when faced with divine purpose.

When Joseph stood before Pharaoh in Genesis 41, he did not rely on political influence but declared that God alone provides interpretation and peace. This moment reminds us that no earthly ruler holds ultimate control over our lives. Even in seasons where power structures seem overwhelming, faith anchors us in the truth that God remains sovereign.

Reading these accounts invites reflection on how we respond to pressure or fear. Rather than viewing authority solely as a threat, we can trust that God works through all circumstances to bring about His plans. This perspective offers stability when navigating complex relationships or challenging environments.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 208 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Pharaoh209×
  • to/ Pharaoh15×
  • of/ Pharaoh4×
  • on/ Pharaoh3×
  • for/ Pharaoh3×
  • by/ Pharaoh3×
  • and/ Pharaoh3×
  • as/ Pharaoh1×
  • [belongs] to/ Pharaoh1×
  • [am] Pharaoh1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • פַּרְעֹ֔ה37×
  • פַּרְעֹ֖ה25×
  • פַּרְעֹ֑ה21×
  • פַּרְעֹה֙20×
  • פַּרְעֹֽה\׃13×
  • פַרְעֹ֔ה12×
  • פַּרְעֹ֗ה10×
  • פַרְעֹ֑ה8×
  • פַּרְעֹ֣ה7×
  • פַרְעֹ֖ה7×
  • פַּרְעֹ֤ה6×
  • פַּרְעֹ֛ה6×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 41:16
    Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

    Joseph’s response highlights that true interpretation and peace come from God, not human power.

  • Genesis 12:17
    Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

    This verse shows God actively intervening to protect His people against the king’s actions.

  • Genesis 41:8
    In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

    The inability of Egypt’s wise men to interpret dreams underscores the limits of human wisdom compared to divine revelation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word Pharaoh mean?

The Hebrew term par.oh originates from the Egyptian phrase per-aa, meaning "great house." It originally referred to the royal palace but later became a metonym for the king himself, functioning like a proper name in many biblical passages.

How is Pharaoh used in the Bible?

Pharaoh appears as the title for the rulers of ancient Egypt, particularly in Genesis and Exodus. He often serves as an antagonist to God’s plans, yet his interactions with figures like Joseph and Moses demonstrate God’s sovereignty over earthly powers.

Why does Pharaoh act as a symbol of opposition?

In narratives like the Exodus, Pharaoh represents human resistance to divine will. His stubbornness highlights the contrast between earthly authority and God’s power to deliver His people, reinforcing themes of trust and faithfulness.

Every Occurrence (208 verses across 13 books)

Genesis 72 verses
Genesis 12:15

The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

Genesis 12:17

Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Genesis 12:18

Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife?

Genesis 12:20

Pharaoh commanded men concerning him, and they escorted him away with his wife and all that he had.

Genesis 37:36

The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.

Genesis 39:1

Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him…

Genesis 40:2

Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cup bearer and the chief baker.

Genesis 40:7

He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”

Genesis 40:11

Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into…

Genesis 40:13

Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup…

Genesis 40:14

But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me…

Genesis 40:17

In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my…

Genesis 40:19

Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will…

Genesis 40:20

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the…

Genesis 40:21

He restored the chief cup bearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand;

Genesis 41:1

At the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreamed, and behold, he stood by the river.

Genesis 41:4

The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke.

Genesis 41:7

The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.

Genesis 41:8

In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told…

Genesis 41:9

Then the chief cup bearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my faults today.

Genesis 41:10

Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, with the chief…

Genesis 41:14

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his…

Genesis 41:15

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you,…

Genesis 41:16

Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Genesis 41:17

Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river;

Genesis 41:25

Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:28

That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:32

The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Genesis 41:33

“Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:34

Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s…

Genesis 41:35

Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the…

Genesis 41:37

The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

Genesis 41:38

Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Genesis 41:39

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you.

Genesis 41:41

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:42

Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen,…

Genesis 41:44

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:45

Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.…

Genesis 41:46

Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh,…

Genesis 41:55

When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,…

Genesis 42:15

By this you shall be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go out from here, unless your youngest brother comes…

Genesis 42:16

Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is…

Genesis 44:18

Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t…

Genesis 45:2

He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Genesis 45:8

So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and…

Genesis 45:16

The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his…

Genesis 45:17

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 45:21

The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision…

Genesis 46:5

Jacob rose up from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried Jacob, their father, their little ones, and their wives,…

Genesis 46:31

Joseph said to his brothers, and to his father’s house, “I will go up, and speak with Pharaoh, and will tell him, ‘My…

Genesis 46:33

It will happen, when Pharaoh summons you, and will say, ‘What is your occupation?’

Genesis 47:1

Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all…

Genesis 47:2

From among his brothers he took five men, and presented them to Pharaoh.

Genesis 47:3

Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?” They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we,…

Genesis 47:4

They also said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live as foreigners in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’…

Genesis 47:5

Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you.

Genesis 47:7

Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

Genesis 47:8

Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?”

Genesis 47:9

Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are one hundred thirty years. The days of the years of my life have…

Genesis 47:10

Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

Genesis 47:11

Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in…

Genesis 47:14

Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which…

Genesis 47:19

Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be…

Genesis 47:20

So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine…

Genesis 47:22

Only he didn’t buy the land of the priests, for the priests had a portion from Pharaoh, and ate their portion which…

Genesis 47:23

Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Behold, here is seed for…

Genesis 47:24

It will happen at the harvests, that you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of…

Genesis 47:25

They said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”

Genesis 47:26

Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of…

Genesis 50:4

When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your…

Genesis 50:6

Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”

Genesis 50:7

Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the…

Exodus 92 verses
Deuteronomy 6 verses
I Samuel 2 verses
I Kings 10 verses
II Kings 6 verses
I Chronicles 1 verse
II Chronicles 1 verse
Nehemiah 1 verse
Psalms 2 verses
Song of Solomon 1 verse
Isaiah 4 verses
Jeremiah 10 verses