Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus
Interested in what archaeology can tell us about the historicity of the Exodus?
In this free eBook, learn about the Israelites in Egypt and the archaeological context of the Exodus.
The Exodus is one of the most dramatic events in the Hebrew Bible—the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their miraculous escape across the Red Sea. It is traditionally viewed as the single event that gave birth to the nation of Israel. Is there archaeological evidence for the Exodus, and for Israelites in Egypt?
The Biblical narrative of the Exodus is a fascinating account that can be supplemented by additional historical sources. This free eBook, taken from articles in Biblical Archaeology Review magazine, considers texts and archaeological evidence from the second millennium B.C.E. that describe Israel in Egypt and the Exodus.
Chapter 1
In “Out of Egypt,” James K. Hoffmeier questions how likely is it that the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. And if they were there, which way did they go when they left? Hoffmeier uses recent archaeological excavation data from Egypt to shed new light on the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt, the locations mentioned in Exodus and the route the Israelites took out of Egypt to the Promised Land.
Chapter 2
Abraham Malamat’s article “Let my People Go and Go and Go and Go” questions the historicity of the Exodus. Malamat suggests that once we give up the search for a single, dramatic Exodus, the evidence for a more subtle image of ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus—one dispersed over time—will emerge.
Chapter 3
Finally, in “When Did Ancient Israel Begin?” Hershel Shanks takes a new look at the late-13th-century B.C.E. Merneptah Stele, which has long been considered the earliest reference to Israel outside of the Bible. But now three German scholars say they may have found another hieroglyphic inscription almost 200 years older naming “Israel.” This new archaeological evidence of the Israelites in Egypt suggests that the Bible may be more accurate than some thought.
This free eBook shares new archaeological evidence for the Israelites in Egypt, and reshapes understandings of the historicity of the Exodus.
Recent Blog Posts
The Nun of the Rings
Deborah in the Bible
Want more Bible history?
Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update.
Unlock Unlimited Access to the Bible's Past
Unlock Unlimited Access to the Bible's Past
Become an All-Access Member to explore the Bible's rich history. Get Biblical Archaeology Review in print, full online access, and FREE online talks. Plus, enjoy special Travel/Study discounts. Don't miss out—begin your journey today!
For Don and others taken in by the “Yam Suf means Sea of Reeds and therefore just means such-and-such lake” argument: this argument doesn’t take into account that during the time of King Solomon, the Bible calls the sea at Elat “Yam Suf” as well, and in that case, there is no question it is speaking of what we call the Red Sea.
If you are interested in the topic:
http://gen.lib.rus.ec/book/index.php?md5=1485c51ceddcecec5cb3cca6836fa36c
🙂
@ KURT THAT SAME PROCESS OF MAKING BRICKS IS STILL USED IN PART OF JUDIAH TODAY (AFRICA)
I don’t think that there were any slaves. Ancient Egypt was a metaphysics capital of the world. Moses stole the Ark of the covenant in my opinion. The only way to recharge the Ark was in the Giza pyramid. .. why steal something that you can not use? God’s energy is shown in the form of the winged disc or solar disc that is actually Antihydrogen fusion wrapped in antihelium antioxygen that created the universe. This is also seen in the book of coming to light. .. Dark matter producing dark energy creates gravity and mass while living in the quantum field or aether shown in their art. My theory is backed up by NASA’S Fermi satellite And Italian space agency satellite PAMELA detected antihelium a signature of Dark matter during Sprite production. It looks like the sun but is double ringed flying disc made by lightning hitting hydrogen in a weightless environment of space. It created the universe.
Chris says the best! Amen brother!
i don’t think any of this is true
Did all the “comments” dry up because the people who offered their stupid opinions have now actually read the Hebrew Bible AND Dr. I Velikovsky’s “Ages in Chaos” which clearly explains the proof of the Exodus and the 10 Plagues. Without this book, they are simply writing opinions based on nothing at all.
I look forward to reading from someone who has actually read the facts, the scientific and other proof of the accuracy of the Hebrew Bible and the dating related to Egypt. (See above).
Ronald says “I think….” But he simply doesn’t think.
Thanks for the comment Chris (2/14/15:20:43). My feelings and thoughts exactly. ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God’ AMEN, and AMEN. And remember also: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding and He will direct your paths” … Again, AMEN and AMEN.
I wholeheartedly agree with all of Chris’s comments of Feb 2015. Chris, your comments are profound but come from the humble heart TRUE believer. You should start your own blog / Q & A to aid bible students come to the truth. You would lead many to Jesus Christ; Who is God in human form.
Blessings