God’s Word Translation
Exodus 1:8
8Then a new king, who knew nothing about Joseph, began to rule in Egypt.
Exodus 1:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
- New International Version (NIV)Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
Context of Exodus 1:8
6Eventually, Joseph, all his brothers, and that entire generation died. 7But the descendants of Israel had many children. They became so numerous and strong that the land was filled with them. Then a new king, who knew nothing about Joseph, began to rule in Egypt. 9He said to his people, “There are too many Israelites, and they are stronger than we are. 10We have to outsmart them, or they’ll increase in number. Then, if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
Read all of Exodus 1Exodus 1:8 word by word
וַיָּ֥קָם מֶֽלֶךְ־חָדָ֖שׁ עַל־מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יָדַ֖ע אֶת־יוֹסֵֽף׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Exodus 1:8
- Ecclesiastes 2:18I came to hate everything for which I had worked so hard under the sun, because I will have to leave it to the person who replaces me.
- Ecclesiastes 9:15A poor, wise person was found in that town. He saved the town using his wisdom. But no one remembered that poor person.
- Acts 7:18Then a different king, who knew nothing about Joseph, began to rule in Egypt.
Commentaries on Exodus 1:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8There arose up a new king - Who this was it is difficult to say. It was probably Ramesses Miamun, or his son Amenophis, who succeeded him in the government of Egypt about A. M. 2400, before Christ 1604. Which knew not Joseph - The verb ידע yada, which we translate to know, often signifies to acknowledge or approve. See Judges 2:10; Psalm 1:6; Psalm 31:7; Hosea 2:8; Amos 3:2. The Greek verbs and are used precisely in the same sense in the New Testament…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8The expressions in this verse are special and emphatic. “A new king” is a phrase not found elsewhere. It is understood by most commentators to imply that he did not succeed his predecessor in the natural order of descent and inheritance. He “arose up over Egypt,” occupying the land, as it would seem, on different terms from the king whose place he took, either by usurpation or conquest. The fact that he knew not Joseph implies a complete separation from…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The place where we have been happy, may soon become the place of our affliction; and that may prove the greatest cross to us, of which we said, This same shall comfort us. Cease from man, and say not of any place on this side heaven, This is my rest. All that knew Joseph, loved him, and were kind to his brethren for his sake; but the best and most useful services a man does to others, are…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-10From about 1650 to 1550 BC, Semitic invaders ruled northern Egypt, where the Israelites lived. The Egyptians called these rulers "shepherd kings" or Hyksos. Semitic peoples were ancient groups from the Middle East and North Africa, known for their shared languages (such as Hebrew, Aramaic, or Arabic) and cultural traditions. Many scholars think these kings supported the Israelites, who might have allied with them. Egypt finally expelled the invaders…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Now there arose up a new king--About sixty years after the death of Joseph a revolution took place--by which the old dynasty was overthrown, and upper and lower Egypt were united into one kingdom. Assuming that the king formerly reigned in Thebes, it is probable that he would know nothing about the Hebrews; and that, as foreigners and shepherds, the new government would, from the first, regard them with dislike and scorn.Read the comment
Topics related to Exodus 1:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Exodus 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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