Page 19 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

Chapter 3: Egyptian backgrounds to the Pentateuch
(Genesis 39-50, Exodus 1-12)

Connect…

The Egyptian culture and the exodus provide a tremendous wealth of information in helping understand
the way the readers of the Bible would have seen themselves, others and how they would have
understood the books of the Bible. During the Patriarchal period, there were major cultural differences
25
between Canaan and Egypt. Perhaps above all, Egypt was an advanced civilization in comparison to the
agrarian culture of Canaan. In Egypt, there was a central government that exercised at “at least
26
moderate control” over the stretch of land from the Nile Valley from the Mediterranean to Asway,
which is about 725 miles in total distance. Another important regional difference is that, whereas in
27
Canaan, the land was watered by soil and heavy dew, in Egypt, the soil had to be irrigated.

Egypt was remembered as a place of slavery. God remembered His people and brought them out of
their bondage to a good land, the land of Canaan. The story and significance of Egypt in Scripture do not
end with the exodus. In this chapter, we will see how the Egyptian background shaped Jewish
conception and later would impact the church as well.

Objectives…

1. Students should be able to identify the location and government of Egypt in the Patriarchal Period.

2. Students should be able to explain the government of Egypt and its connection to the Old Testament.

3. Students should describe the Egyptian religion as it relates to biblical content.

4. Students should be able to explain the foundational social and economic culture of Egypt.

5. Students should be able to articulate the origin and ongoing concept of the exodus in Jewish thought.

The Lesson ...

25 Voss, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, 45.
26 Ibid.
27 Ibid.

18