DID THE ISRAELITES EVER LIVE IN ANCIENT EGYPT?

 

To those of us whose source of ancient Egyptian history comes from Genesis and Exodus this would seem to be a rather simple question to answer. But with biblical scholars it seems as if no question is a simple one. Thus, for years scholars denied that the Jews or any Semitic people were ever in Egypt to any extent, and certainly not in any positions of power as was Joseph. The reason for that stance is that the ancient Egyptians were well known to be an extremely xenophobic people who did not like to mingle with non-Egyptians.

But it is getting harder and harder to maintain that skeptical opinion regarding the events recorded toward the end of Genesis and the start of Exodus. The reason is the wealth of archeological evidence that keeps being uncovered. It is funny how facts always seem to get in the way of theories, as I have witnessed many times in my career as a chemist.

I certainly don't intend to canvass all of the evidence for the presence of Semitic people in ancient Egypt. If you are really interested in the subject, I would recommend that you read any good book on biblical archeology. However, in brief, much of the problem early scholars had in accepting the biblical account was the seeming paucity of hard data uncovered from Egypt. But then it was discovered that a Semitic people group called the Hyksos actually ruled Egypt for about 150 years from roughly 1700-1550 B.C. However, when they were expelled by the Egyptians, most official traces of their rule were purposely destroyed so that only small objects like seals have survived.

For example, four small seals were uncovered in Egypt dating to approximately 1650 B.C. with the name of King Jacob incised on them. The name “Jacob” is a compound name with the opening syllable standing for “Yah,” or “Yahweh.” Similarly, two larger seals have been found in Canaan having the same name. The conclusion is that this “Jacob” is apparently the name of an Egyptianized Canaanite ruler.

The actual connection with the biblical Jacob is uncertain, but the latter is felt to date to the 18^th century B.C., and the name is unknown in records of earlier and later time periods.

As to the general fit of the events recorded in Genesis and Exodus, Kitchen has extensively reviewed the many details in the biblical story of Joseph that are firmly rooted in archeological findings in Egypt, especially during the Hyksos Dynasties where Semites were plentiful in Egypt, even as high officers. Note the interesting fact that in Genesis 39:1 the text has to point out that the captain of the guard Potiphar is “an Egyptian.” Such a point would not even had to be made in the first place unless there were also non-Egyptians in responsible positions at the time.

Chavales notes that the “Genesis patriarchs appear to fit a period about 1800-1550 B.C. for being in the area [of Egypt], somewhat contemporary with the Hyksos rule. It has been speculated that the Jews would have been more 'welcome' in the Sinai region in this period and that the Hyksos dynasties would have been more amenable to a Semitic Hebrew such as Joseph in a position of authority.”

Walton clarifies this picture: “Rather than identifying the Israelites as Hyksos, it has been more common to understand the enslavement of the Israelites as a result of the Hyksos expulsion.” This fits in with the statement in Exodus 1:8 that “a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.”

“The Hyksos, who had ruled Egypt for about 150 years...had been expelled by Ahmose...and in the aftermath of that expulsion the Hebrews may have come under suspicion as possible collaborators with the Hyksos (Ex. 1:9-10). This set the stage for Egyptian repression of the Hebrews, a pogrom that eventually ended in infanticide.” (Merrill) Walton agrees with that scenario: “In Exodus 1:10, the fear is that the Israelites will join with Egypt's enemies and fight against them and leave the country.”