Page 21 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Student Textbook

11:8). But this use of Egypt only partially reflects the attitudes of the ancient Israelites toward that
place. While it was often a place of testing or bondage, it was also a frequent haven from their
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troubles.

Most Christians will recognize the story of Abraham in Egypt. Others more readily recognize the biblical
stories of Joseph and his brothers, of Moses and the Red Sea crossing, or of the tales of Egypt as an
enemy or an ally who chose not to aid Israel when they came under attack by Babylon. We know the
stories but are perhaps only generally aware of where it was located or what it was like in the time of
the stories of Abraham, Joseph and Moses.

The Location of Egypt:
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Vos notes that it is often said that Egypt is the gift of the Nile.
The reason for saying this is that there is almost no rainfall in the
country. Vos asserts that the total rainfall in the region is between
1.5 to 8 inches. Therefore, without the Nile, there would be no
Egypt. As mentioned above, the Nile provides the water for the
irrigation of the crops and water for drinking and for other daily
needs. The Nile has historically made the region enormously
agriculturally productive.

In addition to serving as the provider of the region’s food, the Nile
also serves as the region’s main highway. Due to the wind
patterns and the weak current, it is easy for boats to travel
Northward through the region. The Nile also met other needs. The
clay on its banks, for instance, could be made into houses as well
as into pottery. Papyrus on its banks was also used for making
writing materials and flax.
30

Egypt is made up of two regions. Lower Egypt and the Nile Valley.
Lower Egypt is shaped somewhat like a piece of pie. It is about
125 miles from North and South and about 115 miles from East to
West.

Situated as it is on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea, shipping was a source of wealth and trade as
well. To the East the Sinai Peninsula provided a land trade route between Asia and Egypt. This route
traveled through Egypt. So Egypt’s physical location was highly important and is a reason that Egypt rose
to become a world power. One of the routes over the Sinai Peninsula was likely the route Joseph was
brought when sold into captivity by his brothers. It is also one of these routes that Moses led the people
out of Israel on and toward the promised land of Canaan.
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28 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1980/09/biblical-egypt-land-of-refuge-land-of-
bondage?lang=eng
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid., 46.
31 John Holmes, Biblical Backgrounds course material. Map of Egypt used with permission.

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