Acts 7:18 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

Till another king arose, х heteros (G2087), not allos (G243)] - q.d., 'a king of a different sort,' pointing to another dynasty (as Lechler notes).

Which knew not Joseph. After the lapse of centuries, and in a new dynasty, this might seem not surprising. But "knew not Joseph" is intended to convey more than mere want of knowledge. The memory of great events in the history of nations is not readily lost. Written records, and even popular traditions, preserve them fresh for centuries; and the organic changes which took place in Egypt during Joseph's administration would make it impossible that the memory of the country's obligations to him should perish within the period here referred to. Ingratitude is evidently meant to he stamped upon the royal procedure toward the descendants and countrymen of one to whom Egypt once owed its preservation.

Acts 7:18

18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.