The Crucial Role Of Egypt In The Hebrew Bible

In the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament, Egypt plays a crucial role in the stories of Joseph and Moses. In both stories there are many overarching themes and symbolism that revolves around being trapped in Egypt. Egypt acts as a tool to separate our hero from their heritage and birthrights. They slowly find their way back into God’s grace again, but not after being spiritually reborn in Egypt. Egypt also acts as a counter force to God as the lands have their own form of otherworldly powers. God does not truly physically manifest within the walls of Egypt but asserts his presence through Joseph and Moses. Finally, God uses Egypt to teach the lesson that through faith will they be delivered from their suffering. In a time of crisis or heavy oppression

His death comes as he is an infant as the Pharoah feared the ever-growing population of Israelites in Egypt. Pharaoh decreed that “on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live” (Exodus 1.16). Although this death sentence would not be carried out exactly as planned, Moses would be casted into the Nile. Luckily for him he was found and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter who found him in the river. This is the point where Moses would be reborn anew as an Egyptian much like Joseph. His name, Moses, was bestowed upon him by his new Egyptian mother in a similar fashion as Joseph. What separates Moses and Joseph is that Moses reclaims his birthright to fulfill God’s covenant to Abraham. This would be his second rebirth as he becomes the prophet of the Israelites. At first Moses was hesitant to fully fill in the role of the prophet, leaving much of the work to Aaron, but ultimately fills in the shoes of God’s divine messenger. This occurs with the 7th marvel as “Moses stretched out his staff towards heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail” (Exodus 9.23). No longer does he have to rely on his brothers to act out the will of God, but fully becomes the

He was born Hebrew but raised by Egyptians putting him in a situation where he is unsure of who he is. This alienation in is shown early on as he tries to help his one of his Hebrew kinsmen but murdered an Egyptian in the process. Later he meets his kinsmen again but was responded with "Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2.13). He is stunned by this not only because his crime was found out, but he will not be welcomed in either community. He is truly becoming an alien like his ancestor Abraham once was, but God has other plans for him. This was to lead the exodus and break the Israelites out of their bondage. When Moses first meets God, he goes through the same motions that the Pharaoh does. There is a back and forth where God must convince Moses that he is right for the job. God turns Moses’ staff into a snake and turns his hands into a diseased one then back. Finally, when Moses brings up his bad speech abilities God says “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord” (Exodus 4.12”). It is stated that the God became impatient with Moses as his faith was wavering. Only through God’s repeated acts of divinity does Moses eventually submits. He becomes the prophet of God and leads his people out of Egypt, but pressures are on their tails with their hearts hardened by God. God