Exodus 1:8 kjv

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

Exodus 1:8 nkjv

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Exodus 1:8 niv

Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

Exodus 1:8 esv

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Exodus 1:8 nlt

Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.

Exodus 1 verses

Exodus 1 8 Meaning

Exodus 1:8 marks a pivotal and ominous shift in the fortunes of the Israelites in Egypt. It signifies the emergence of a new sovereign who, unlike previous rulers, bore no favorable recognition or appreciation for Joseph's past monumental service to Egypt. This lack of "knowing" was not mere ignorance but a deliberate disregard for the historical contributions and established position of Joseph and, by extension, his kin, setting the stage for the systematic oppression of the Israelite people.

Exodus 1 8 Context

Exodus 1:8 appears at a critical transition point in the biblical narrative. The book of Genesis concludes with Joseph's death and the Israelite family (70 in number, Gen 46:27) thriving in Egypt. Exodus begins, some 400 years later (Acts 7:6, Gal 3:17 implies the covenant, not the whole stay), showing a dramatic demographic growth of the Israelites ("multiplied greatly and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them" - Ex 1:7). This verse immediately follows this depiction of flourishing, introducing the antagonist to God's burgeoning people. It sets the stage for the narrative of Israel's enslavement and, subsequently, their divine liberation under Moses. Historically, this event is often associated with the rise of the Egyptian New Kingdom after the expulsion of the Hyksos (foreign rulers of likely Semitic origin) who may have been more favorably disposed towards the Israelites. A new native dynasty, consolidating power, would view a large, growing, foreign population with suspicion and a perceived threat to national security, leading to the drastic measures described in the following verses.

Exodus 1 8 Word analysis

• Now (וַיָּקָם, wayyāqām): The introductory particle here connects the flourishing of the Israelites (Ex 1:7) directly with the sudden change in Egyptian policy. It signals an immediate and significant development.
• there arose (וַיָּקָם, wayyāqām): From the root qūm (קוּם), meaning "to rise, stand up." It denotes the beginning of a new period, the establishing of a new authority. This isn't just a quiet succession but a forceful establishment of power. It signifies a distinct shift in rulership and ideology.
• a new king (מֶֽלֶךְ חָדָשׁ, meleḵ ḥādāš):
  • meleḵ: King. Refers to the Pharaoh, the absolute ruler of Egypt.
  • ḥādāš: New. Can mean "new" in time (recent), "new" in kind (different in policy), or "renewed" (a new dynasty). It implies a regime distinct from the one that favored Joseph. Scholars debate if it refers to a change in dynasty, or just a new monarch within the same dynastic line with new policies, but the theological point is its impact on Israel.
• over Egypt (עַל־מִצְרָֽיִם, ʿal-miṣrāyim): Simply "over Egypt," indicating his reign was complete and uncontested.
• who did not know (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע, ʾăšer lōʾ-yādaʿ):
  • ʾăšer: "who" or "that," introducing a descriptive clause.
  • lōʾ-yādaʿ: "did not know." The Hebrew verb yādaʿ (יָדַע) for "to know" often signifies more than mere factual acquaintance. It can mean to acknowledge, recognize, have a relationship with, or regard. Here, it strongly implies a deliberate disregard or refusal to acknowledge Joseph's significant contributions and the benefits he brought to Egypt (Gen 41:57, Gen 47:25), or the special status his family had been granted by earlier pharaohs. It reflects a purposeful amnesia or a new, hostile policy. This Pharaoh was either truly ignorant or, more likely, politically chose to ignore/erase the legacy of Joseph to justify the subjugation of the Israelites whom he saw as a threat.
• Joseph (יוֹסֵֽף, yōsēf): The prime minister who saved Egypt and the surrounding regions from famine, and secured the well-being of the land for previous pharaohs. He represents the established bond between the Israelites and the previous Egyptian monarchy. His legacy being forgotten is central to the shift in fortunes for his descendants.

Words-Group analysis:

• "a new king over Egypt": This phrase highlights the radical change in authority. The "newness" signals a discontinuity from the prior regime's relationship with the Israelites, setting a different trajectory for their existence within Egypt. This shift in leadership often brings altered priorities and national interests, which in this case, diverged drastically from the favor enjoyed under previous pharaohs.
• "who did not know Joseph": This is the crux of the verse. It means this king did not value, acknowledge, or continue the established relationship and recognition afforded to Joseph. This strategic "un-knowing" permitted the subsequent dehumanization and enslavement of the Israelites. It signifies a political or ideological break from past covenants or understandings, paving the way for a fear-driven policy. It indicates a deep failure in collective memory or a deliberate decision to re-write history for political expediency.

Exodus 1 8 Bonus section

The "new king who did not know Joseph" can be seen as a 'type' or foreshadowing of later opposition to God's people throughout history, even to the Antichrist, who similarly does not acknowledge Christ or His divine work, but seeks to subjugate His people. This shift from favor to hostility under new leadership is a recurring motif in the Bible when dealing with interactions between God's people and the nations. God permits such circumstances not due to a lapse in His care, but as a crucible for His people to deepen their dependence on Him alone (Ex 2:23-25). This period of hardship was vital for Israel to truly become God's people, redeemed by His hand, rather than assimilating into Egyptian culture. The specific "did not know Joseph" indicates a denial of benefit, almost an ungrateful stance, reflecting a deeper spiritual ignorance that ultimately defies God's hand in history (Psa 105:25, "He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.").

Exodus 1 8 Commentary

Exodus 1:8 acts as a theological hinge, connecting the patriarchs' blessed sojourn in Egypt to the bitter oppression that necessitated divine intervention. The "new king" represents a change not merely in personality, but in political posture. His lack of "knowing" Joseph implies a calculated governmental amnesia or strategic policy reversal, fueled by fear of the burgeoning Israelite population (Ex 1:9-10). This fear led to the subjugation of God's chosen people, not out of inherent evil in the Israelites, but from a foreign power's insecurity. This verse teaches that human security, even when initially established by divine favor (Joseph's rise), is temporary when contingent upon the goodwill of earthly rulers. God's people's well-being is ultimately rooted in God's unchanging covenant, not in fleeting political alliances or forgotten historical contributions. The period of oppression was also part of God's larger plan to bring His people out as a distinct nation, to establish His covenant and law more deeply, and to display His mighty power to Israel and the nations, particularly Egypt. This verse therefore underscores divine providence, showing how even hostile human actions unknowingly serve God's greater redemptive purposes.

• Example 1: The fragility of favor – Just as past achievements of an individual or group can be quickly disregarded by a new regime or generation, we learn that human promises or favors are ultimately unreliable; only God's covenant stands firm.
• Example 2: The challenge of collective memory – The "not knowing" of Joseph serves as a stark reminder of how societies can deliberately forget or rewrite history to justify new, often oppressive, policies, warning against selective historical memory.