Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. There 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 [dy yada, which we translate to know, often signifies to acknowledge or approve. See Judges ii. 10; Psa. i. 6; xxxi. 7; Hos. ii. 8; Amos iii. 2. The Greek verbs eidw and ginwskw are used precisely in the same sense in the New Testament. See Matt. xxv. 12, and 1 John iii. 1. We may therefore understand by the new king's not knowing Joseph, his disapproving of that system of government which Joseph had established, as well as his haughtily refusing to acknowledge the obligations under which the whole land of Egypt was laid to this eminent prime minister of one of his predecessors.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-14 - The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The place wher we have been happy, may soon become the place of our affliction; an that may prove the greatest cross to us, of which we said, This sam shall comfort us. Cease from man, and say not of any place on this sid heaven, This is my rest. All that knew Joseph, loved him, and were kin to his brethren for his sake; but the best and most useful services man does to others, are soon forgotten after his death. Our great car should be, to serve God, and to please him who is not unrighteous whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love. The offence of Israel is, that he prospers. There is no sight more hateful to a wicke man than the prosperity of the righteous. The Egyptians feared lest the children of Israel should join their enemies, and get them up out of the land. Wickedness is ever cowardly and unjust; it makes a man fear where no fear is, and flee, when no one pursues him. And human wisdo often is foolishness, and very sinful. God's people had task-master set over them, not only to burden them, but to afflict them with their burdens. They not only made them serve for Pharaoh's profit, but s that their lives became bitter. The Israelites wonderfully increased Christianity spread most when it was persecuted: the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. They that take counsel against the Lord and his Israel, do but imagine a vain thing, and create greate vexation to themselves.
Original Hebrew ויקם6965 מלך4428 חדשׁ2319 על5921 מצרים4714 אשׁר834 לא3808 ידע3045 את853 יוסף׃3130
