Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition [Paperback]

James K. Hoffmeier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 1999

Scholars of the Hebrew Bible have in the last decade begun to question the historical accuracy of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus. The reason for the rejection of the exodus tradition is said to be the lack of historical and archaeological evidence in Egypt. Those advancing these claims, however, are not specialists in the study of Egyptian history, culture, and archaeology. In this pioneering book, James Hoffmeier examines the most current Egyptological evidence and argues that it supports the biblical record concerning Israel in Egypt.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is historical research at its best, with constant attention to primary sources...[Hoffmeier] retains a broad perspective and leaves no stone unturned in his quest to have the epigraphic and archeological evidence shed light on the biblical record of Israel's sojourn in and exodus from Egypt."--Gary Rendsburg, Cornell University

"Israel in Egypt is one of those rare works that one cannot read without taking notes on nearly every page. For biblical scholars, who are seriously interested in the Exodus and the issues revolving around the historicity of the Bible, especially regarding the origins of Israel, Israel in Egypt could not be more highly recommended."--Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin

"This is historical research at its best, with constant attention to primary sources...[Hoffmeier] retains a broad perspective and leaves no stone unturned in his quest to have the epigraphic and archaeological evidence shed light on the biblical record of Israel's sojourn in and exodus from Egypt."--Gary Rendsburg, Cornell University

"This volume is a bold and important attempt to infuse the current debate with a reasoned appraisal of biblical, archaeological, and philological evidence. Hoffmeier is uniquely qualified to make such an attempt because he is one of the few scholars who can handle both the Egyptian evidence and the biblical materials."--Asbury Theological Journal

"This volume will become a classic text for a positive and conservative evaluation of the literary and archaeological evidence for the 'historicity' of the Israelites in Egypt."--Walter D. Zorn, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

"This well-presented case brims with the type of knowledge most never bother to attain."--J. Julius Scott, Wheaton College

"The best and most good-spirited defense yet of the conservative position that takes the Biblical "Exodus-Conquest" narratives literally as history."--William G. Dever, University of Arizona

"Hoffmeier's study represents the fruit of many years of study in Egyptology and the Old Testament. The work is a substantial contribution to the ongoing discussion on the subject of Israel's presence in Egypt and represents a view that is in harmony with an appreciation of the Bible as a valuable historical source....This is an excellent volume for introducing the subject it covers."---Denver Journal

"Hoffmeier's book is an important contribution to the study of the Hebrew experience in Egypt. Its two major strengths are the author's powerful refutation of hyper-critical views on the narrative and his presentation of the latest Egyptological data."--Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

About the Author

James K. Hoffmeier is Professor of Bible Studies and Archaeology at Wheaton College, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019513088X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195130881
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #575,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James K. Hoffmeier (PhD, University of Toronto), who has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels for more than thirty years, is now professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern archaeology at Trinity International University. Born and raised in Egypt, he has been a refugee from war and an alien in two different countries, making him sensitive to immigration issues.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

119 of 131 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars interesting support for the Exodus February 3, 2000

By G. W. Thielman

Format:Paperback

This relatively slim but heavily footnoted volume by Professor Hoffmeier constitutes one of the most recent additions to the ongoing debate on ancient Israel's origins. The author begins with the proposition that while no direct archæological evidence for the Exodus has been discovered to date, indirect indications show the events transcribed to be plausible and therefore potentially historical--not to be dismissed merely because of the theme in which such stories are recorded emphasizes a religion which has many adherents even today.

The book begins with a critique of currently fashionable scholarship which minimizes the historical relevance of any portions in the Hebrew Bible relating to periods prior to the return from Babylonian exile. The first chapter explains the attractive fallacies in modern historical analysis such as the double standards applied regarding credibility of descriptive scriptural texts in contrast to the reception afforded to the supernatural bombast on official records of egotistical rulers.

Hoffmeier notes that scholarship tends to match the political tenor of the times--and that the current skepticism with authority leads to condescention regarding biblical texts. His brief overview of Joshua's conquest demonstrates that the paucity of late Bronze age dwellings with unambiguous burning does not contradict the accounts in Joshua 6-11.

Hoffmeier devotes the remainder of the book to address the particular intersections of Egypt and the period covered in Pentatuch. The text on the Merneptah stela identifies Israel for the first time as a people rather than a nation--indicating the early settlement period of a nomadic group and not indigenous cultural transformation among Canaanites. His explanation of the reference to Israel in the stela illuminates a distinction between the unpronounced hieroglyphic determinative of pre-monarchial Israel as a people and not as a settled land, hence negating the contention of biblical history being merely an ethnic fantasy concocted by post-exilic priests. The story of the patriarchs being among the many Semites who went to Egypt to procure food has many parallel references in Egyptian literature. Even Joseph's tale of a Semite rising to high rank does not lack precedence: the vizier "`pr-el" was only recently discovered from the late New Kingdom which was better documented than the late Middle Kingdom of the patriarchal period.

Most scholars agree that Semitic peoples lived in Egypt during the New Kingdom, and that forced labor by war prisoners in state corvées was extensive, supporting the Penta-tuch claim that Hebrews were oppressed while they sojourned in Egypt subsequent to their arrival. Identification of the "`barê mishkenôt" or "store cities" (Exod 1:11) had been an obstacle to acceptance of this story. But the discovery of Pi-Ri`amses at Qantir in the Nile Delta verifies extensive brick-construction during the 13th century BC. Central to the Exodus strides the figure of Moses. Hoffmeier explores the origin of the "exposed child" narrative and expounds on Egyptian policy of introducing foreign princes at court in the New Kingdom. Moses could have been a "hrd n k3p" or "Child of the Nursery" and thereby received an education reserved for the elite. The plagues provide a backdrop for skepticism of the J and E source-criticial theory, since the devastation inflicted on Egypt forms a more coherent depiction of events than a composite from separate sources would indicate. Except for the death of the firstborn at the finalé, the plagues register a logical sequence of natural events, albeit more intense than commonplace for the Nile valley. Thus, despite the Israelite interpretation for divine intervention, the tenor of the events described does not stretch credulity to the extent that its historical value should be à priori discarded.

The final chapters concern the canal at the eastern frontier in the New Kingdom and the probable route out of Egypt. The northern coastal road is rejected by contrary citation (Exod 13:17) and because of Egyptian military fortifications which the Israelites would have bypassed to forestall pursuit. Rather, Hoffmeier evaluates the etymology of place-names along the derek hammidbbar or "Way of the Wilderness", and enters the debate that has long surrounded the probable location of the Re(e)d Sea crossing at yam sûp. He suggests that the Gulf of Aqaba extended farther north in ancient times and had been connected to the Bitter Lakes, which were joined to Lake Timsah. Future excavation at the eastern frontier may shed additional light on this matter. That no Egyptian records of the escaped slaves have been found is not surprisingany such reports would have been written on papyrus and not likely to be preserved given the dependence on success for the pharaohs to maintain legitimacy. Hoffmeier summarizes his evidence in a concluding chapter, asserting that to deny the Israelite references while accepting the traditions of other peoples denotes an inconsistency that scholars should eschew. Spiritual overtones were prevalent in many ancient documents, but while Near Eastern pagan deities are no longer worshipped (except among New Age narcissists), the continued adherence to monotheistic theology by many has led to a denigration in modern academia of any ancient records that would lend credence to such faith. Hoffmeier's contribution to the understanding of the Genesis and Exodus sojourn accounts regarding the Israelite tribes' early origins provides a coherent and brief apology for greater acceptance on the historical accuracy of the general outlines in Old Testament narratives. Israel in Egypt is a valuable library addition to anyone interested in early biblical period.

34 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Arguments April 14, 2000

By Richard Fitzgerald

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book presents excellent overviews of the discussions revolving around the historicity of Genesis and Exodus. It is very even handed in its presentation of the different sides and when one or another argument is rejected a balanced and sound reason is given.

The conclusion of the book is that the Exodus story and surrounding events as told in the Hebrew Bible are compatable with the known historical facts of Egypt. The book isn't a propaganda piece for conservativism, but rather a well researched and scholarly volume. I highly recommend it.

24 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for this subject November 28, 1999

By Morris Goldman

Format:Paperback

Unlike many other books on this controversial subject, like those by Redford, which tend to present only such material as supports their preconceived opinions, Hoffmeier presents highly documented data on all sides of the question. He avoids snide "put-downs" of intellectually questionable methodologies, allowing the reader to judge for himself how valid are some of the conclusions that are reached. The extensive bibliography makes this a source book of great value.