Pharaoh as a National Hero in the History of the Egyptian Kingdom, Yet Considered a “Villain” in the Holy Scriptures

SEJARAHID In the Qur’an, Pharaoh is depicted as a symbol of tyranny. He is known for enslaving the Children of Israel, oppressing them with forced labor, and rejecting the call of Prophet Moses even after being shown numerous signs of God’s greatness. His story is immortalized as an example of an arrogant ruler who claimed to be divine, defied the truth, and was ultimately drowned along with his army in the Red Sea. From the perspective of scripture, Pharaoh is a figure bullied by theological history as the embodiment of tyranny.

However, records of ancient Egyptian history reveal another ironic side. Before the golden age of the New Kingdom, Egypt was conquered by the Hyksos, foreign rulers who controlled the Nile Delta for nearly a century. At that time, native Egyptians themselves became second-class citizens in their own land, subject to domination by outsiders. This situation gave rise to both historical resentment and the spirit of resistance.

📌 Who were the Hyksos?

• Origin: Hyksos (from the Egyptian term heqa khasut, meaning “rulers of foreign lands”) were a group of foreigners who ruled Lower Egypt (the Nile Delta) around 1650–1550 BC.
• Ethnic identity: They were not native Egyptians, but a mixed people from the Levant (Syria–Canaan), most likely West Semites.
• Language & culture: Many Hyksos rulers (such as Apophis and Khayan) had Semitic names. Artifacts and historical records show that they introduced new technologies into Egypt, such as horse-drawn chariots, composite bows, and bronze weapons.
• Capital city: Avaris (in the Eastern Delta, near the area later known as Tanis).

📌 Were the Hyksos Jews?

• No. The Hyksos were not Israelites/Jews.
• They were Semitic peoples from the Levant (similar to the Canaanites, Amorites, Phoenicians, and possibly also related to the Arameans).
• The Israelites themselves (according to scriptural tradition) emerged only after the era of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), and only grew into a large community in Egypt after the generation of Joseph. This means that Israel as a nation arose after or at the end of the Hyksos period, not identical with the Hyksos.

📌 Why are they sometimes linked to the Jews?

• Because the Hyksos were Semitic people from the Levant who once ruled in Egypt, some 19th-century historians speculated that there might be a connection between the Hyksos and the story of the Israelites in the Bible.
• But modern research distinguishes the two: the Hyksos were foreign conquerors who ruled Egypt, while the Israelites in scripture were oppressed slaves in Egypt.

When Pharaoh eventually drove out the Hyksos and restored Egypt’s greatness, he was regarded as a national hero. He not only restored sovereignty but also expanded Egyptian power into the Levant. Ironically, in the process of this resurgence, he repeated the same patterns of domination once suffered by his own people, by enslaving foreign nations—including the Hebrew community later known as the Children of Israel. From Egypt’s perspective, Pharaoh was a great king; from the perspective of scripture, he appeared instead as a tyrant.

This contrast makes Pharaoh a complex figure. On one hand, he is remembered by his people as the savior of Egypt from foreign occupation. On the other hand, scripture presents him as the symbol of arrogance and oppression, a figure whose story must serve as an eternal lesson. This dual narrative shows how history and faith can shape very different judgments of the same figure.

Ultimately, the story of Pharaoh teaches that power has two faces: it can create a hero, but it can also create a tyrant. In this case, Pharaoh stands as a classic example of how a victim of oppression can turn into an oppressor himself—an irony that continues to echo across time.

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Short Timeline: From the Hyksos to the Story of Moses

• ±1650 BC – Hyksos Invasion
  The Hyksos, foreign rulers from the Levant, conquered Lower Egypt (the Nile Delta). Native Egyptians temporarily became second-class citizens in their own land.
• ±1550 BC – Egypt’s Resurgence
  Pharaoh Ahmose I of Thebes expelled the Hyksos and established the 18th Dynasty, marking the beginning of the “New Kingdom” period. Egypt rose again as a major power.
• New Kingdom (1550–1070 BC)
  Egypt expanded its territory into the Levant and Nubia. Conquered peoples, including the Hebrew community, were forced into labor or slavery in Egypt.
• Era of Israelite Slavery
  According to scripture, the Israelites were enslaved and harshly oppressed by Pharaoh. They were forced to work in construction and royal projects.
• The Story of Moses (around 13th–12th century BC, traditional view)
  Prophet Moses was sent to call Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Pharaoh arrogantly refused, even after many miracles were shown. Eventually, Pharaoh and his army were drowned, while the Israelites were delivered to safety.

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📊 Comparative Views of Pharaoh

Aspect	Ancient Egyptian History	Scripture (Qur’an & Abrahamic tradition)
Background	Egypt was conquered by the Hyksos (around 1650–1550 BC). Native Egyptians became second-class in their own land.	The Hyksos episode is not mentioned; the context is Egypt as a great empire with Pharaoh holding absolute power.
Pharaoh’s Role	National hero: expelled the Hyksos and restored Egypt’s greatness.	Symbol of tyranny: oppressed the Israelites, rejected Moses’ call, and claimed divinity.
Treatment of other nations	After regaining power, Egypt expanded into the Levant and enslaved foreign peoples, including the Hebrews.	Condemned for enslaving and oppressing the weak (the Israelites), and for stubbornly rejecting the truth.
Legacy	Recorded in Egyptian history as a great king who saved the nation from foreign rule.	Recorded in scripture as an eternal tyrant, an example of an arrogant ruler who was drowned.
Moral lesson	Pharaoh’s rule is seen as Egypt’s resurgence.	Pharaoh serves as an eternal lesson on arrogance, oppression, and the consequences of rejecting the truth.