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Egypt

Illustration of Egypt

Egypt served as the place of bondage for the Israelites, who were enslaved by a Pharaoh who feared their growing numbers and forced them into harsh labor. God raised up Moses to confront Pharaoh, leading to a series of plagues that culminated in the Exodus, where the Israelites were freed and led out of Egypt toward the Promised Land. This event is central to the biblical narrative as it demonstrates God's power, faithfulness to His promises, and establishes the Passover as a key commemoration of deliverance. In Scripture, Egypt often symbolizes oppression and idolatry, contrasting with God's redemptive work that forms the foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with Him.

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Video from BibleProject

Exodus Overview (Part 1: Ch. 1-18)

God confronts Pharaoh and liberates Israel from slavery in Egypt.

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Details

Region
Egypt
Modern Location
Egypt (modern Arab Republic of Egypt)
Strongest connections in Scripture

Journey Paths

Hagar's Journey

Beersheba โ†’ Egypt

Joseph's Journey

Egypt โ†’ Dothan

Miriam's Journey

Egypt โ†’ Red Sea

Moses's Journey

Egypt โ†’ Mount Sinai โ†’ Red Sea โ†’ Mount Nebo

Reuben's Journey

Shechem โ†’ Egypt

Ephraim's Journey

Egypt โ†’ Canaan

Key Passages

Israel in Egypt

Exodus 1:1-14

Egypt transforms from refuge to prison as Israel grows from family to nation - God uses oppression to forge a people ready for deliverance.

N1ow these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. 8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. 13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

The Plagues Begin

Exodus 7:14-25

God strikes Egypt with plagues that systematically defeat its gods - demonstrating His supremacy over every power that holds His people captive.

A14nd the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaohโ€™s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the riverโ€™s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. 16 And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. 17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. 18 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. 19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. 20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaohโ€™s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. 24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. 25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.

Flight to Egypt

Matthew 2:13-15

Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt, fulfilling Hosea's prophecy 'out of Egypt I called my son' - Jesus relives Israel's story in reverse.

A13nd when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Did You Know?

1

The Israelites lived in Egypt for approximately 430 years.

2

Egypt is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible.

3

The Nile River was worshipped as a god. Making the plague of blood a direct challenge to Egyptian religion.