Texts in Conversation
Exodus says a new king arose who did not know Joseph, which could mean indifference or ignorance. The Aramaic translation in Targum Onkelos changes this to say the king refused Joseph’s policies, likely to protect his legacy and memory.
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Exodus 1:8
Hebrew Bible
7 The Israelites, however, were fruitful, increased greatly, multiplied, and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them. 8 Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power over Egypt. 9 He said to his people, “Look at the Israelite people, more numerous and stronger than we are!
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Onkelos Exodus 1:8
Targum
7 but the sons of Israel increased and propagated, and became great and very mighty, and the land was filled with them. 8 But a new king arose over Mizraim who did not fulfill the decrees of Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we:
Date: 100-200 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Rather than translating the verse, Onkelos offers an original interpretation. Literally, the biblical text states that, 'A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph.' Later talmudic interpretations, cited by Rashi, the eleventh-century commentator, attempt to explain the meaning of 'new king.' The targumist also tackles the problem associated with any king who would not 'know' of Joseph's accomplishments. Hence, in order not to disparage Joseph and his contributions to the Egyptian society, he suggests that the meaning of the text is that the new Pharaoh refused to 'fulfill Joseph's decrees' ..."
Drazin, Israel, and Stanley M. Wagner
Onkelos on the Torah, Exodus: Understanding the Bible Text
(p. 3) Gefen, 2006
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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