We ask the following database query:
How is transference / change of monarchy
indicated.
The reader is encouraged to perform the query using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine.
This database query yields the list below.
The list justifies the following Rashi inference:
(1) Ordinary transference of monarchy is
indicated by current king died ...so and so reigned
(2) Change in reign(e.g. a king is more established) is indicated
by so and so monarched
(3) A change by overthrow is indicated by so and so arose on.
The list below presents the results of the database query.
Verse
| Type of transition
| Hebrew words used
|
Gn36-33
| Routine
| Belah died, Yovav reigned in his place
|
1K22-40
| Routine
| Achav slept with his ancestors ....Achazyahu reigned in his stead
|
2C13-23
| Routine
| Aviyah slept with his ancestors ...Asa his son reigned in his stead
|
2S08-14:15
| Change during reign (Reign was now secure)
| God saved David wherever he went....David reigned ...
|
2C21-04
| Overthrow
| Yehoram arose over his father's kingdom, he took hold,
and killed his father's entire house hold
|
Advanced Rashi:
Rashi, based on the Talmud Sotah 11a,
actually cites two opinions on the verse text A new king arose over Egypt
who did not know Joseph. Rav and Samuel held opposite points of views: One
held it was actually a new king (since it says new) while the other held that
it was the same king with a new attitude (since it doesn't use the traditional
language for routine transfers, so and so died...so and so reigned in his stead.)
We naturally interpret the verse based on the
above database table as follows:
And a changed king overthrew Egypt - that they shouldn't appreciate Joseph.
This interpretation is based on three facts.
- New in the Bible does not necessarily mean actually new. For example in
Ez36-26 it states I will give you a new heart and new emotions in your midst....
Here the word new refers to change. God says I will give you a changed heart
and changed emotions...
- Referring to the above database
the verse uses the word arose which as we saw in the above table indicates
an overthrow.
- Who was overthown?
- A hint that Pharoh overthrew his own nation is seen in the following contrast:
Pharoh decreed death on Jewish males but his own
daughter pitied the babies and saved them.
- A hint that the Jews were highly respected (before Pharoh overthrew them)
is hinted at by Jacob's death. When Jacob died all of Egypt mourned him 70 days and showed him great honor.
- I conclude that Joseph and the Jews were highly respected. Joseph did not take advantage
of the situation but rather gave people back their land. The Jews did not want to take over Egypt. But
Pharoh as leader felt they might. So Pharoh overthrew his own people! He tried to remove the Jew's good
name. And even so his own daughter refused to listen to him.
- The last part of the verse That they should not apprecaite Joseph can be understood
by recalling, as just indicated, that Joseph was Vice King and highly respected since he gave people
back their land.
In conclusion: We believe a plausible natural interpretation of the verse is that
A changed King overthrew his own Egyptian people and tried to counteract their natural appreciation
of Joseph and all he had done for them.
|