Exodus 1:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Reflecting on the events following the passing of Jacob and Joseph, it is striking to note how the ruler of Egypt sought diligently to diminish their descendants and hinder their growth. Despite his intentions, he ultimately could not succeed in this endeavor, as Jacob's lineage continued to flourish and multiply. This serves as a profound reminder of God’s providential care. Recognize that His plans are invincible and will come to fruition, regardless of the multitude of schemes devised against them.

Who was this ruler unfamiliar with Joseph? It is widely accepted that Joseph’s rise to prominence and Jacob’s relocation to Egypt occurred during the time when a pastoral Semitic tribe known as the Hyksos governed Lower Egypt. They arrived from nearby eastern lands and replaced the local monarchs. Given that the Israelites adapted to a pastoral lifestyle, it is unsurprising that they received preferential treatment from the Hyksos, who shared a similar way of life. This favor accounts for the Israelites being established in a fertile area, where they lived separately from the native Egyptians, who had disdain for herdsmen (Genesis 46:14), and were able to manage their affairs without outside interference.

The newly appointed monarch, as previously discussed in our analysis of Genesis and based on insights from renowned biblical scholars, is Amosis, or more accurately Aames, the inaugural king of the eighteenth dynasty. He expelled the ruler of the seventeenth dynasty, the Hyksos, from Avaris. When he encountered the Israelites again—who had maintained amiable relations with the Shepherd kings during their reign in lower Egypt—the Egyptians and the Theban dynasty could not recall Joseph's contributions, who had served as the vizier under the twelfth dynasty’s Pharaoh. Instead, they perceived the Israelites merely as a potential threat, allied with the exiled Khetes. This perception led them to seek ways to oppress and diminish the Israelites to ensure Egypt's security against the dangers of the desert.