Topical Bible: Egypt: Inhabitants of Hospitable

◄ Egypt: Inhabitants of Hospitable ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, is often depicted as a land of both refuge and oppression. Its geographical location in northeastern Africa, with the Nile River as its lifeline, made it a fertile and prosperous region. Throughout the Bible, Egypt serves as a backdrop for pivotal events and interactions with the Israelites.

Early Interactions and Refuge

Egypt's role as a place of refuge is first seen in the account of Abraham. During a famine in Canaan, Abraham and Sarah journeyed to Egypt to escape the harsh conditions (Genesis 12:10). This initial encounter set a precedent for Egypt as a land of temporary sanctuary during times of need.

The most notable instance of Egypt's hospitality is found in the narrative of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually rose to prominence in Egypt, becoming second only to Pharaoh. During a severe famine, Joseph's position allowed him to provide for his family, who came to Egypt seeking sustenance (Genesis 41:57). This act of hospitality ensured the survival of Jacob's family and the future nation of Israel.

Oppression and Deliverance

Despite its initial role as a refuge, Egypt is also remembered for its oppression of the Israelites. Over time, the Israelites became enslaved by a Pharaoh who did not remember Joseph's contributions (Exodus 1:8-11). The Egyptians subjected the Israelites to harsh labor, prompting cries for deliverance.

God's response to this oppression was the calling of Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The ensuing plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) demonstrated God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people from bondage.

Prophetic Significance

Egypt's significance extends into the prophetic literature of the Bible. The prophets often used Egypt as a symbol of worldly power and idolatry, warning Israel against forming alliances with Egypt instead of relying on God (Isaiah 31:1). Despite this, Egypt is also included in prophecies of future blessing and restoration. Isaiah foretells a time when Egypt, along with Assyria and Israel, will be a blessing in the midst of the earth (Isaiah 19:24-25).

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Egypt again serves as a place of refuge. Following the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree to kill all male infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-15). This event fulfilled the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Hosea 11:1), highlighting Egypt's recurring role as a place of protection.

Cultural and Historical Context

The inhabitants of Egypt, known for their advanced civilization, contributed significantly to the ancient world. Their achievements in architecture, writing, and governance are well-documented. In the biblical narrative, Egypt's wealth and power often contrasted with the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites, emphasizing the Israelites' dependence on God rather than human strength.

Throughout the Bible, Egypt is portrayed as a complex nation—both a place of refuge and a symbol of oppression. Its interactions with the Israelites reveal themes of God's providence, judgment, and redemption, underscoring the broader biblical narrative of God's relationship with His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 47:5,6
And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Your father and your brothers are come to you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:18
And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Early Training of a Race.
... with the view to protecting their inhabitants from the ... his kinsmen felt against the
gross polytheism of Egypt. ... Though the tent-dweller might be hospitable to a ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and ...
... far as Joppa, and obtained from him hospitable presents, and ... Antioch, and was made
king by its inhabitants, and by ... one of Asia, the other of Egypt: but being ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how alexander honored.htm

Expatriation
... Here he might have found a hospitable roof and a pallet of ... find some trace of the
lost animal among the inhabitants, he went ... "Is there not a patriot in Egypt? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

Alexander
... readily ran to each of them, and became their inhabitants. ... was come back already
out of Egypt, and obliged ... offices he did them, and the hospitable manner that ...
/.../chapter 8 alexander.htm

His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )
... [O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem ... in heathen powers and silly oscillation
between Egypt and Assyria ... if thoroughly ploughed, will be hospitable to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 his earliest oracles ii.htm

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... and treated Ptolemy's ambassador in a hospitable manner. ... that came from the cities
into Egypt, who were ... And when the inhabitants of Scythopolis attempted to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... while the carrying of Jesus into Egypt and His ... on Him, in acknowledgment of hospitable
reception, which ... according to early tradition, their inhabitants were to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... the Alani, who had found a hospitable reception in ... cities and churches, and the bones
of their inhabitants. ... is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where also ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... claims to be the sole god of Egypt than his ... to a goddess, Maritsakro, for whom the
poorer inhabitants of the ... She was a kind of Isis or hospitable Hathor, whose ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

The First Theban Empire
... men, chattels, or animals"and carried them back to Egypt; they recklessly ... The
neighbouring inhabitants, realizing their incapacity to resist regular troops ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm