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Re: Question for Bible Geniuses: Joseph of Egypt Re: Question for Bible Geniuses: Joseph of Egypt -- kevin Top of thread Archive Posted by: Paul King ® 07/01/2003, 03:39:00 Author Profile Mail author There is nothing I know of that would identify either man with any historical figure known from Egyptian records. It is possible that David Rohl has some argument but he has an unfortunate tendancy to jump to conclusions. We do know that Canaanites went to Egypt, especially when times were hard. We do know that a semitic people ruled over a large part of Egypt for a period of time (the Hyksos). It is at least possible that contrary to later Egyptian accounts they rose to power through largwly political means rather than outright invasion. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread Previous | Next | Current page Joseph of Egypt during Hyksos time period Re: Re: Question for Bible Geniuses: Joseph of Egypt -- Paul King Top of thread Archive Posted by: kevin ® 07/01/2003, 16:43:02 Author Profile Mail author Paul, Thank you very much for answering. I was hoping you would, as I've been very impressed with your knowledge of Biblical archeology, etc. I did not know that a semitic people called the Hyksos ruled part of Egypt. Let me ask you this: When did they rule, and does the evidence allow some Bible scholars to speculate that this was the inspiration for Joseph of Egypt? Thanks! Kevin ----------- UPDATE After I posted this, I found the following web page. I wanted to see what you thought of its accuracy, or at least what your opinion is of its content. What, if any, are the problems caused to the other patriarchs if we date Joseph during this proposed time period and place? http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/nes263/spring99/mcw18/Joseph_in_Avaris.html Related link: http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/nes263/spring99/mcw18/Joseph_in_Avaris.html Modified by kevin at Tue, Jul 01, 2003, 17:13:12 | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread Previous | Next | Current page Re: Joseph of Egypt during Hyksos time period Re: Joseph of Egypt during Hyksos time period -- kevin Top of thread Archive Posted by: Paul King ® 07/03/2003, 05:36:13 Author Profile Mail author More flattery ! Now I know why I hang around here :-) In fact I just know what I've picked up from reading around or from online discussions. The page you refer to seems to be at least broadly accurate - I couldn't spot any obvious errors. But what it doesn't mention is that the story could easily have come earlier in time. (Indeed, if the Hyksos came to power by peaceful means then it must have been possible for semitic people to come to high office before then). It also doesn't point out that only the shorter estimates of the time spent in Egypt from Jewish tradition rather than the Bible are really compatible with the idea that Joseph arrived during the time of Hyksos rule and that the Oppression started when the Hyksos were driven out. At the earlier end we don't have good dates for the earlier patriarchs so there are no direct problems there. At the later end, it is certainly plausible that any semitic people remaining in Egypt would have been treated very badly after the expulsion of the Hyksos. But then there is the problem that we do not have a good estimate for how long the Israelites were in Egypt, nor can we fit Moses and the Exodus easily into the frame to confirm that that period really is the time of the Oppression of Exodus. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread Previous |   | Current page Hyksos in Egypt Re: Question for Bible Geniuses: Joseph of Egypt -- kevin Top of thread Archive Posted by: Gunnar ® 07/04/2003, 17:14:27 Author Profile Mail author I lack Paul King's depth of knowledge about the Hyksos, but I have long been aware of the fact that the Semitic Hyksos did rule Egypt for a time. I find it eminently plausable that the story of Joseph is a reflection of that fact, and that the Pharoah who viewed Joseph with such favor and raised him to such a prominent position of power was a fellow Semite. I also find it quite plausible that the Biblical story of the exodus might be the Hebrews' face-saving version of their forcible expulsion from Egypt when the native Egyptians successfully revolted against their foreign rulers. Rising up from and breaking the bonds of slavery is a much more flattering scenario than being driven from enviable positions of power and influence with their tails between their legs. Then again, the Israelites my have been lower class Semites living in Egypt who revolted against the rule of the dominant urbanized Semites who temporarily ruled Egypt. As you no doubt have already found, there many internet sites that deal with the subject. Of the ones I have looked at so far, I found the below link particularly interesting. Related link: http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/thera/hapiru.html | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread Previous |   | Current page