Pharaohs of Egypt

The title of the rulers in ancient Egypt, just as president is the name of the top official in the United States. Joseph, son of Jacob, served as second in command under a pharaoh who realized how wise and talented Joseph was. Moses was raised in the home of a pharaoh. But after that pharaoh died, God sent terrible plagues upon Egypt because the current pharaoh—

perhaps Thutmose III—would not let the Israelites leave his country, where they were slaves. This pharaoh later drowned with his army in the Red Sea when they tried to pursue the people of Israel after they left Egypt.

Throughout Israel’s history, pharaohs of Egypt made alliances with kings of Israel and Judah or went to war against them. When the Persian Empire grew, the Egyptians were conquered around 525 BC and served the Persians. The Egyptians gained their independence around 404 BC, but Alexander the Great later conquered Egypt.