||A new king who did not know of Joseph, came into power over Egypt.
Vayakom melech-chadash al-Mitsrayim asher lo-yada et-Yosef.
||He announced to his people, 'The Israelites are becoming too numerous and strong for us.
Vayomer el-amo hineh am beney Yisra'el rav ve'atsum mimenu.
||We must deal wisely with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, driving [us] from the land.'
Havah nitchakemah lo pen-yirbeh vehayah ki-tikrenah milchamah venosaf gam-hu al-sonenu venilcham-banu ve'alah min-ha'arets.
|A new king|
Or, 'regime' or 'dynasty.' According to tradition, this occurred around the time of Miriam's birth, which was 2361 (1400 b.c.e.). Hence, the name Miriam denotes bitterness (Seder Olam Rabbah 3). The 'new king' would then be Thutmose IV, who reigned 1411-1397 b.c.e.
If we accept the 163 year discrepancy (see note on Genesis 12:15), then this occurred around what would be considered 1563 b.c.e. The New Kingdom, starting with the 18th Dynasty, is known to have begun in 1575 b.c.e. This started with Ahmose (Ach-moshe), who drove the Hyksos out of Egypt. Although the Israelites were not driven out at this time, the Hyksos were a Semitic tribe, and therefore the changed political climate would have adversely affected the Israelites. A new surge of nationalism would also have resulted in prejudice against foreign elements. (cf. Josephus, Contra Apion 1:14,26. Also see Yov'loth 46:11).
|driving us from the land|
Literally, 'they will [make us] go up from the land' (Sotah 11a; Rashi; Saadia Gaon; Syriac). Or, 'they will leave the land' (Rashi; Ibn Ezra).