of Egyptian derivation; Paroh-Chophra, an Egyptian king; Pharaoh-hophra.
Transliteration:Parʻôh Chophraʻ
Pronunciation:par-o' khof-rah'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma פַּרְעֹה חׇפְרַע (Parʻôh Chophraʻ), Strong's `{{H6548}}`, is a proper noun of Egyptian derivation. It specifically designates Pharaoh Hophra, a historical Egyptian king. Unlike common nouns or verbs that possess a broad semantic field, this term's meaning is fixed to a singular historical individual. Its semantic range is therefore limited to identifying this particular monarch and, by extension, the historical period and geopolitical context in which he reigned. It functions primarily as a historical marker within the biblical narrative, pointing to a specific era of interaction between Judah, Egypt, and Babylon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The specific name "Pharaoh Hophra" (פַּרְעֹה חׇפְרַע) appears explicitly only once in the biblical text:
* [[Jeremiah 44:30]]: "Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek his life, as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life.’"
In this solitary occurrence, the mention of Pharaoh Hophra is profoundly significant. It is part of a powerful prophetic declaration by Jeremiah to the Jewish remnant who had defiantly fled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem, refusing to obey God's command to remain in Judah. They had sought refuge and, in doing so, had also engaged in idolatry within Egypt. Jeremiah's prophecy serves as a stark warning and a tangible sign of impending judgment. God declares that just as Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, was delivered into the hands of his Babylonian enemies, so too would Pharaoh Hophra be delivered into the hands of his adversaries. This prophecy firmly places Hophra within the historical context of the late Babylonian period (specifically, the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II), highlighting the interconnectedness of regional powers and God's sovereign control over them. Historical sources outside the Bible corroborate the violent overthrow and death of Pharaoh Apries (Hophra) around 570 BCE, validating the prophetic word.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding Pharaoh Hophra necessitates consideration of several related terms and concepts:
* **Pharaoh (`{{H6547}}` פַּרְעֹה - Parʻôh):** The general title for the king of Egypt. Hophra is a specific individual who held this title. The broader concept of "Pharaoh" often represents the power and pride of Egypt, frequently standing in opposition to God's purposes, as seen in the Exodus narrative.
* **Egypt (`{{H4714}}` מִצְרַיִם - Mitsrayim):** The nation ruled by Pharaoh Hophra. Egypt frequently appears in biblical narratives as a place of refuge, a source of temptation (for Israel to trust in human power rather than God), and a recipient of divine judgment. Hophra's fate is intrinsically linked to the prophetic destiny of Egypt.
* **Nebuchadnezzar (`{{H5019}}` נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר - Nebukadneʼtsar):** The king of Babylon, God's chosen instrument of judgment against Judah and, implicitly, against nations like Egypt. The comparison in [[Jeremiah 44:30]] between Zedekiah's fate at Nebuchadnezzar's hand and Hophra's fate at the hand of his enemies underscores the overarching divine plan executed through various agents.
* **Remnant/Exile:** The context of Hophra's mention is the Jewish remnant in Egypt, highlighting the spiritual and geopolitical crisis of the post-exilic period and the consequences of disobedience for God's people.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The prophecy concerning Hophra is a powerful demonstration of God's ultimate authority over all earthly rulers and nations, irrespective of their perceived strength or autonomy.
### Theological Significance
The inclusion of Pharaoh Hophra in the biblical text, though brief, carries profound theological weight:
* **Validation of Prophetic Word:** The specific and verifiable prophecy concerning Hophra's downfall in [[Jeremiah 44:30]] serves as a powerful testament to the veracity and reliability of God's word spoken through His prophets. Its historical fulfillment provides tangible proof of divine inspiration and the unwavering truthfulness of Scripture.
* **God's Sovereignty Over All Nations:** The judgment pronounced against Pharaoh Hophra, a powerful and contemporary monarch, vividly illustrates the biblical doctrine that God is sovereign over all earthly kingdoms and their rulers. No king, however mighty, operates outside of God's ultimate control. He raises up and casts down rulers according to His divine will and purpose (cf. [[Daniel 2:21]], [[Romans 13:1]]).
* **Consequences of Disobedience and False Trust:** The prophecy concerning Hophra is delivered to the disobedient Jewish remnant who trusted in Egypt's protection rather than God's. The impending judgment on Egypt's ruler underscores the futility and danger of relying on human power or engaging in idolatry. It serves as a severe warning against seeking security or deliverance outside of God's prescribed path.
* **Divine Justice:** Hophra's prophesied demise is an act of divine justice, reflecting God's righteous judgment against those nations and rulers who oppose His purposes or become a stumbling block to His people. It demonstrates that God holds even the most powerful accountable for their actions.
### Summary
פַּרְעֹה חׇפְרַע (Parʻôh Chophraʻ), Strong's `{{H6548}}`, identifies Pharaoh Apries, a specific Egyptian king who reigned in the early 6th century BCE. His singular explicit mention in the Bible, found in [[Jeremiah 44:30]], is pivotal. In this passage, Jeremiah prophesies Hophra's violent overthrow by his enemies, serving as a divine sign to the disobedient Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt. This prophecy, historically corroborated, powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and their leaders, demonstrating His ability to raise up and cast down kings according to His will. The inclusion of Pharaoh Hophra in the biblical narrative thus underscores the reliability of prophetic word, the consequences of disobedience, and the unwavering reality of divine justice in human history.
TRV