The_Unknown_Banana

Evidence of some biblical truth?

http://www.bib-arch.org/bswb_BAR/bswbba2905f2.html

Jabu Khan

Based on some reed huts with a similar floor plan to other assumed Isrealite settlements?

Insomniac Dreams

I want to know what exactly made these makeshift houses rude....

it is quite possible that some elements of israelite architecture spread to egypt. there were extensive trade links betrween the two civilisations...and its more than likely that people would have travelled between them.......

Marduk

I don’t think there is any doubt that people who were or whose descendents would become Jews, traveled back and forth to Egypt. Many people went to Egypt during times of famine, because of the annual flooding of the Nile Egypt always had food.

“Will work for food”

Amlodhi

I also found this article to be very interesting.

Additionally, I have little doubt that some of the more eager proponents of biblical veracity will, after a cursory reading, pounce upon this article as a vindication of their position.

I would, however, advise some caution.

Although not enough time has yet been given to discover and examine all of the implications inherent in this article, some questions spring immediately to mind.

Such as:

1) If such post holes and trenches (representing Israelite construction) are being found to house in situ Israelite workmen, where are the post hole and trench representations for the constructions used to house the +/- 600,000 Israelite families then living in Egypt? Did in situ workmen build houses to live in while families whose generations had resided in Egypt for 430 yrs. were still living in tents?

Ex. 12:37 [The exodus] "And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children."

Ex. 12:40 "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years."

2) The article states: "Dating the Exodus to the XXth dynasty (mid-12th century B.C.E.) brings us significantly closer to the composition of the Biblical writings that incorporate the Exodus tradition."

Dating the exodus in the mid-12th century (say 1150) B.C.E. also dates the fourth year of Solomon's reign at 670 B.C.E. This is, of course, an impossible chronology for biblical inerrantists.

I Kg. 6:1 "And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel . . . that he began to build the house of the Lord."

If then, as some will maintain, the exodus obviously must have taken place at an earlier date, but the article dates these houses to the mid-12th century, the question becomes:

Why would we find Israelites to be building Israelite houses and working and living in Egypt within one or two generations after the events of the pre-exodus, i.e. the plaques (including the decimation of Egyptian livestock and the death of all their firstborn children), as well as the death of their Pharaoh with his army and the spoiling of the Egyptians silver, jewels, gold and raiment?

Again, the article is interesting and there may well have been Israeli workmen (or slaves) in Egypt in the mid-12th century B.C.E. (I don't think anyone ever doubted this possiblility). However, on close examination, it appears to me that these findings will more likely undermine, rather than support, the biblical account of the sojourn in and exodus from Egypt.

Namaste'

Amlodhi

Celsus

Edited:

Oops, I goofed Amlodhi's post was his own--apologies Amlodhi, but a belated welcome to II anyway.


Joel

Amlodhi

Thank you for the welcome Celsus.

2) The article states: "Dating the Exodus to the XXth dynasty (mid-12th century B.C.E.) brings us significantly closer to the composition of the Biblical writings that incorporate the Exodus tradition."

The above quote was taken from the article linked by the OP, i.e.
"Israelites found in Egypt", Manfred Bietak; BAR, sep./oct. 2003.

I am in the habit of citing references for any quotes introduced by myself. However, because my comments were (as indicated) in direct response to the article introduced by the OP, I would have thought the reference to be self-evident. I will, however, strive to avoid any such ambiguity in the future.

Namaste'

Amlodhi

Amlodhi

Hello Celsus,

I see the misunderstanding now. Still, it was fun playing tag with you for awhile.

Again, thanks for the welcome

Amlodhi

Soul Invictus

I don't think that the consensus is that there is no biblical truth in the Bible. I think that the consensus is that the Bible isn't factually precise or historically accurate in a scholarly or referential sense as many Biblical inerrantists insist. At least IMO this is my perspective of the Bible.

Jayhawker Soule

Specifically:As suggested in another thread, I suspect that proto-Israelite is simply another term for West Semitic (a.k.a. Canaanite). I fail to see what, if any, significance this has "for the historicity of the Biblical narrative", and certainly Bietak stops short of suggesting anything in the way of "important implications"