Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament

by John D. Currid

Publisher:

Baker

, 1997

Overview

The role of Egypt in the Old Testament, particularly in the Pentateuch, is a significant one. John Currid’s in-depth study of that role sheds valuable light on this important aspect of Israel’s history and Scriptures.

Currid observes that more biblical scholars today are returning to the study of Egypt and its texts. “My hope,” he writes, “is that this volume will add to the growing interest in and understanding of the Egyptian connections with the Old Testament.”

After surveying the scholarly interest in Egypt and the Bible and highlighting the uniqueness of the Hebrew worldview, Currid proceeds through the Old Testament canonically, showing Egyptian influences throughout. He explores the creation story, Joseph narrative, Serpent confrontation, ten plagues, and route of the Exodus, plus Solomon’s contacts with Egypt, the relationship of Hebrew poetry to Egyptian wisdom literature, and the links between Hebrew prophecy and Egyptian magic and soothsaying. The result is an enlightening guide to Egyptian influences on Israelite history.

This valuable study offers the most up-to-date information available on archaeological discoveries and includes Currid’s original translation of Egyptian hieroglyphics. Photographs, indexes, and a bibliography enhance the study.

Kenneth Kitchen writes in the foreword: “In the increasingly erratic world of Old Testament studies, where there is still too often a stubborn refusal to pay proper attention to the firm factual framework of reference that the ancient Near Eastern world offers us in assessing the nature and worth of the biblical writings, Currid’s well-documented book is a breath of fresh air and represents a valuable contribution.”

Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament will serve as a text in courses on archaeology and the Old Testament, Old Testament history, and Old Testament backgrounds.

The Logos Bible Software edition of this volume is designed to encourage and stimulate your study and understanding of Scripture. Biblical passages link directly to your English translations and original-language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. In addition, you can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, scholars, and theologians have to say about the Word of God.

Key Features

• Discusses Egyptian themes present in the Pentateuch
• Focuses on the relationships between ancient Egypt and the Bible
• Includes a variety of detailed diagrams, maps, and photographs to illustrate points

Contents

• Egyptian Elements in the Pentateuch
• Contacts between Israel and Egypt in the Historical Books
• Egyptian Wisdom Literature and the Poetical Books
• Egyptian and Israelite Prophecy

Top Highlights

“What the serpent contest portrays is a heavenly combat—a war between the God of the Hebrews and the deities of Egypt.” (Page 86)

“In pagan myth the gods do not represent the greatest power of the universe—there is something even stronger: magic” (Page 30)

“The ancient Egyptians, however, ‘believed in a single creator and originator of divine power.’” (Pages 55–56)

“Ancient Near Eastern myth frequently portrays humans as created to be slaves to the gods” (Page 30)

“For instance, ancient Egyptian texts characteristically described Pharaonic power in terms of Pharaoh’s ‘strong hand,’ his being the ‘possessor of a strong arm’ and ‘the one who destroys enemies with his arm.’ The Exodus account ironically assigned the same qualities to Yahweh as he humiliated Pharaoh and Egypt (Exod. 3:19–20; 6:1; 7:4; 15:16, etc.).” (Page 83)

Endorsements

John Currid has written an excellent study of the Egyptian background of certain parts of the Old Testament. The author has read widely and commented judiciously on a number of very interesting topics, such as the itinerary of the Israelitesa as they fled Egypt, the plagues, Solomon’s marriage to an Egyptian princess, the invasion of the pharoh Shishak, and comparisons with Egyptian wisdom literature.

—Edwin Yamauchi, professor emeritus, Miami University

The evidence that Currid presents is quite persuasive. . . . He is quite skillful in detecting reflections of Egyptian culture in the biblical text.

—Catholic Biblical Quarterly

Professor Currid has provided a thorough, stimulating, and informed study of the many ways that the world of ancient Egypt can illumine the pages of the Old Testament. Those who take seriously the importance of reading the Old Testament in light of its cultural context will welcome his balanced assessment of the data. This is a valuable tool for background studies.

—John H. Walton, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

Product Details

• Title: Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament
• Author: John D. Currid
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 1997
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 208
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Egypt in the Bible; Excavations (Archaeology) › Egypt; Excavations (Archaeology) › Palestine; Egypt › Antiquities; Palestine › Antiquities
• ISBNs: 9781441253163, 9780801021374, 1441253165, 0801021375
• Resource ID: LLS:ANCEGYOTCURRID
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-08-24T17:24:50Z

About John D. Currid

John D. Currid is Carl McMurray Professor of Old Testament at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He received his PhD in archaeology from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. He has several books in print, including the Welwyn Commentary on Habakkuk.