Parshas Shemos 5777

Who was the new king?

The Torah writes (Exodus 1:8):

A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph

Rashi writes (ibid):

NOW THERE AROSE A NEW KING — Rab and Samuel (two Amoraim or Talmudical teachers) differed in their interpretation of these words. One said that he was really a new king; the other said that it was the same king but he made new edicts (Sotah 11a).

Daas Zeikenim (ibid) explains:

“a new king (dynasty) arose;” this was the first Pharaoh. The Egyptians suggested to him to join the Hebrews politically. The king said to them, how can we do this, seeing that thus far we have prospered thanks to them? The Egyptians did not like this and removed this new king from the throne for a period of three months. After the three months had elapsed, the king told the people that he was willing to change his attitude on the subject and to oppose the Hebrews. This is why the Torah wrote the word ויקם מלך חדש, “a new king;” The Torah did not report that the old king had died, as is customary.(Sh’mot Rabbah 1,8)

Ibn Ezra explains the other opinion:

It means as it sounds that he was not from royal descent

Rabbeinu Bachya adds:

It seems to me that this king was born at the time Joseph was in prison for it is written (Exodus 40) "a birthday of Pharaoh", to say that it was a day that Pharaoh was born for they called the name of the son same as the father, and that is according the opinion that this was a new king

(see also our earlier post on Parshas Vaeira about identities of the midwives)