Page 20 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

Egyptian backgrounds to the Pentateuch.

The emphasis in the Bible consistently falls not on Egyptians as persons but on Egypt as a place. Only
rarely are individuals native to Egypt mentioned by name (see, for example, Gen. 41:50; 2 Kgs.
23:29; Jer. 44:30). Thus, when in later Christian scripture, Egypt is used as a symbol of spiritual bondage,
we note that the writers use the place as a symbol understood by the Jews and not a charge against
the people. In the book of Revelation, for instance, Egypt is equated with Sodom, and both are used as
names or symbols for a wicked Jerusalem of the latter days (Rev. 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
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testing or bondage, it was also a frequent haven from their 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.

28 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1980/09/biblical-egypt-land-of-refuge-land-of-
bondage?lang=eng
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid., 46.

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