"Egyptian history and the biblical record: a perfect match?" Topic

Old… but still interesting…

"For years, the popular media has mocked the biblical accounts of Joseph, Moses, the Passover, and the Exodus as being completely incompatible with standard Egyptian chronology. Year after year, we have been told by numerous scholars that events recorded in the books of Genesis and Exodus are nice legends devoid of any historical or archaeological merit.

However, a new wind is blowing. An emerging pool of scholars, representing diverse backgrounds, has been openly calling for a drastic reduction in Egyptian chronology. Such a reduction would serve to line up the historical and archaeological records of Egypt and the Old Testament. Surprisingly, there is a substantial amount of evidence to warrant a significant reduction of Egyptian history. And by doing so, the reliability of Genesis, Exodus, and the entire Old Testament will have to be reconsidered as a viable source of historical truth…."
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Amicalement
Armand

It seems to have a Christian agenda, rather than being an unbiased scientific paper. No mention of little things like Carbon dating, for example, which would be crucial for dating, to me.

Extremist group with agenda poo poos 150 years of scientific research for own benefit. Nothing new here, move along, tinfoil hats to the right, rational thought to the left.

There are links between events discussed in the Bible & in Egyptian documents. Despite the flawed article Tango "cites", there are disparities, too.

This should not be a surprise as the first isn't history & the second is far from being focussed on the Israelites.

What I don't understand is why the Fundies want a perfect correlation? People of faith are supposed to have….well, faith. Do they really need to find Jesus' sandle (with his name scratched onto the soul*) to prove he existed?

* quite a good pun BTW

People of faith are supposed to have….well, faith.

True. But there are reasons why they attempt to "prove" the literal truth of the Bible.

1. They themselves have doubts, so they do this to shore up their own faith.

2. They're trying to pull those who've left the fold, back in.

3. They're trying to convince spiritual fence-sitters to join them.

4. They're poking non-believers in the eye, just because.

5. They want to make some cold hard cash.

"This thread and the DH: A perfect match?"

No, but maybe, "This thread and Bill's ability to nuke a thread."

@ Hafen

It's hard to discuss the Late Bronze Age without turning to the Bible; so Dawghousing? I wouldn't think so.

The Bible clearly has some value as a prime source for the history of the times. I like the speculation, for instance, that Moses' people arrived in Egypt with the Hyksos.

I'm talking about potential, here.

I could have said "Dawghouse BAIT",but well,you know. . .

We'll see.

Bless you for the warning….oh no: I've fallen into the trap!!!!

: )

My first thought was – shades of Velikovsky.

And lo, I find him in the references.

Not a new contention, As I recall, Velikovsky wanted to revise Egyptian history by about 800 years.

Took the Hittites right out. Who as I recall were added in the late 1800s due to previously unidentified archeological artifacts.

Of course Velikovsky had a Jewish perspective.

The Hittites are mentioned in the Bible (Uriah the Hittite anyone?) but hardly get the prominence they deserve.

Indeed, it is one of the lapses that make the Bible less than a stellar historical source.

Thought it was Uriah the Heep.

Uriah Heep, the character in the Dickens' novel, 'David Copperfield' is called "Uriah" in a conscious & interesting allusion to the Biblical character.

As you know, Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David 's army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel . He was also the husband of Bathsheba. A very subtle use of symbolism by Dickens.

There is an Israeli archeologist named Finkelstein that claims the Exodus and other Bible stories never happened. He can find no trace of them.

link

A Palestinian scholar published a book some years ago which showed that the geography of the Biblical "Promised Land" didn't match the geography of Israel/Palestine,but did match that of the western Arabian Peninsula.

Might seem farfetched,but after that,Saudi Arabia closed the area completely to foreigners,and evacuated and razed 10 villages.

Years ago, when the Chariot Wars supplement came out for Warhammer Ancients, I got a few of the titles out from the local library. One of those tied in the Exodus and Egyptian records in quite nicely it seemed to me…