THE STORY OF MOSES AND THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT EGYPT

Lesson One:

UNDERSTANDING ANCIENT EGYPT

Purpose for this Study

Learn more about the historical context of the story of MosesDemonstrate the truthfulness and historical accuracy of the BibleStrengthen our faith and knowledge in God and His word by examining the real time and history in which it occurred

Land of Egypt

“Egypt” from Gk. Aigyptos

Located in NE corner of Africa

390,000 sq. miles

4% inhabitable, mostly in close proximity to Nile River

Nile was life of Egypt – annual floodingDivided Upper Egypt (valley) from Lower Egypt (delta)Deserts on east and west isolate cultureImportant sites: Memphis, Thebes, Giza, Alexandria, etc.

Connections between Egypt and Bible

Abraham (Gen. 12:10-20)

Joseph (Gen. 37-50)

Rise of Israel and Moses (Ex. 1-14)

Josiah (2 Chron. 35:20-22; 2 King 23:29)

Jeremiah (Jer. 42-45)

Prophecy (Isa. 19; Jer. 46; Ezek. 29-32)

Jesus (Matt. 2:13-21)

Understanding Egyptian Chronology

Necessary to read Egyptian writing – Hieroglyphics

Unknown until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799

Inscribed in three languages: Hieroglyphic, Demotic, Greek

Deciphered by Champollion in 1822

Rosetta Stone

Hieroglyphics

Demotic

Greek

King of Upper and Lower Egypt

Nebkheperure

Son of Re

Tutankhamun

Given Life Eternally

King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebkheperure, son of Re, Tutankhamun, given life eternally

Sources for Reign Chronologies

Palermo Stone

Royal List of Karnak

Royal List of Abydos

Abydos King List

Royal List of Saqqara

Royal Canon of Turin

Palermo Stone

Royal List of Abydos

Abydos King List

Absolute Dates?

Relies on astronomical dating

Sothic cycle of 1460 years

Later regal dates are firm; middle period is relatively firm; early dates can very 50-100 years

We can be confident with the chronology used in this study

Radical variations in chronology are untenable

Egyptian History

ManethoWrote Egyptian History [Notes about

Egypt] in which he provided a basic structure of Egyptian history

Lived during the reign of Ptolemy IHad access to all sources known and

some not preserved

Egyptian History

No full text of his History survives

Known from extensive quoting by Josephus, Sextus Julius Africanus, and Eusebuis

Divided Egyptian history into 30 dynasties (ruling houses)32 dynasties now identified

Major Periods

Early Dynastic Period (3150-2686)

Old Kingdom (2685-2181)

First Intermediate Period (2180-2040)

Middle Kingdom (2039-1782)

Second Intermediate Period (1781-1570)

New Kingdom (1569-1070)

Major Periods

Third Intermediate Period (1069-525)

Late Period (524-332)

Graeco-Roman Period (331–AD 641)

“In order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men” (Dan. 4:11, 25)

Our Next Lesson

Exploring the Bible Timeline