Are there really historical documents in existance that confirm there were Hebrew slaves in Ancient Egypt?

Question

I was watching a special on youtube that was done by TBN documenting newfound "evidence" that the Exodus story was real and that scientists have been looking in the wrong places. The conclusion was mentioning that there were many reliable documents from Ancient Egypt that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hebrew slaves were in captivity and responsible for the nation's overall success. I was not aware that these even existed as it was supposed to be the other way around. Everything that I have heard and read prior to this says that Egypt was a flourishing nation and had no need for Hebrew slaves, nor any records of them. Who is telling the truth here? And if the religious scholars are lying, what would they possibly gain from that when it is common knowledge that they are being deceitful? Would these same people be able to provide these alleged documents if asked to show them as evidence or would it go back to the whole "faith" thing?

Answer 1

no, nothing really. there is a scroll written by an egyptian person who seems to be describing similar stuff to the 10 plagues but its nothing conclusive. there has also been nothing found in the desert to show that people ever camped there. and since the egyptians had the practice of destroying all evidence of their defeats, the truth is going to remain unknown unforever.

the scroll i mentioned is called the ipuwer papyrus and i'm going to link to you the article from wikipedia and also a web site which goes through and compares it to the plagues from exodus. beware though since its a christian site so its probably biased.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipuwer_Papyrus
http://www.konig.org/wc52.htm

Answer 2

Yes there are documents they are inscribed in the walls in hieroglyphs on a lot of the ancient ruins and tombs in Egypt. But the time lines are a little different. If I remember right the when the Jews first came to Egypt they were welcomed and lived there many years in peace and prospered until one of the Pharaohs grew worried about their numbers and they were conscripted to work on the Pyramids. Schalors on ancient Egypt have translated them. And it does give a historical account of the Jews in Egypt up to and including the Exodus, The hieroghyphs even have an account of Moses being taken out of the water and raised as a prince. It also has an account of the plagues.

Funny you should ask that because I was watching a documentary on that the other night.

I think it was called Walking the Old Testment or Walking the Bible or something like that. I really wasn't interested at first and was channel scuffing during a commerical while watching a game at first. It was on PBS if I remember right. What's really cool about it is that it is written in stone.and has been translated after all these hundreds and thousands of years..

Answer 3

The only real document is the bible itself. There is no documents or writings from ancient Egypt that clearly state Hebrews were slaves. Egyptions actually had paid workers to do most of the work...or citizens who did it out of religious or stately duty...like community service. Did it willingly. It's not likely that hebrews were slaves, but not impossible either. The Pharoes were notorious for basically deleting parts of history if it was embarassing to them. So it's possible. Maybe one day something will definite will be found proving they were...but as of yet, besides the bible, there is no evidence.

Answer 4

Egypt was a flourishing nation, but it also had slaves.
Some were somewhat 'voluntary' some were actual slaves.

The current hypothesis is that slaves were NOT used to build the pyramids, but that it was a national voluntary thing wherein citizens "did their shift" for sometimes six months at a time.

Considering the extent of the living arrangements near the pyramids themselves this actually makes more sense. Whole towns existed and the one missing item was any kind of enclosure that I would have expected if thousands of slaves were housed there.

Answer 5

salaam

Yeah i also saw a doccie about it.Infact i saw several.All of them had different theories of how the exodus happened. However in all those doccies they also said that there was evidence of the hebrews stay in egypt and their escape.There is a scroll which describes several of the plagues.But it is not definit.

Infact egyptians had slaves from all around their immediate area.yes they flourished, that why they were in need for slaves.Mabe they were a bit lazy.

There were also hierogyphs found that describe the hebrew people.In those writing the hebrew were called "Hebaru".

Answer 6

Many Egyptologists are known for their stubborness and refusing to accept the possibility that their knowledge might need to be revised. Egyptology to some is its own religion.

So... It's hard to take the words of some Egyptologists.

For example, the Great Pyramid is quite lacking in evidences of its builders, but it's still refered to as Khufu's.

Would these same people be able to provide these alleged documents if asked to show them as evidence or would it go back to the whole 'archaelogical work' thing?



As for evidences in the events during Moses' time.

Well, suffice to say, if you're looking at the wrong place, you will find nothing. If you're looking at the right place but at the wrong time, you will find confusing things.

So if Moses and the events he participate really do exist, I think we have to review the exact place and time where these events took place.



As for the descendants of Israel during Moses' time.

Well, the descendants of Israel during Moses' time probably encompass a large part of the population, and even might be the majority of the population.

Suffice to say, when they leave, it might as well be the whole kingdom leave.

"
Now there arose up a new king over Mizraim, which knew not Joseph.

And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:

Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
" Exodus 1:8-12

So... What you need to find is a whole kingdom that was reduced to a mere town. If you looking for a whole kingdom that was stable, you're looking for the wrong one.

The whole kingdom of Mizraim basically also moved when the descendants of Israel moved

Answer 7

Ive always heard that there was no evidence in Egypt. Some say because the Exodus story was too embarassing for them. Some say it all never happened.

Answer 8

Great question. I would love to hear more. I feel if a nation rules slaves to brutality, why would they boast about it? The would probably try to erase it from history. Also the way they were freed was very embarassing to Egypt.

Money writes history, not the poor. I believe the Bible.

David

Answer 9

There are a couple of documents that suggest reference to the Hebrews, but "confirm" would be too strong of a word.

Answer 10

I SAW THAT ALSO AND THEY HAD THE SAME TIME I WAS GETTING IN BIBLE

Noah is to 350 years after the flood. Gen.9:28,29;
Shem is to 502 years after the flood. Gen.11:10,11;
Abraham was 352 to 527 years after the flood. Gen.25:7,9;
Ishmael was from 438 to 575 years after the flood.Gen.16:16; 25:17;
Isaac is from 452 to 632 years after the flood. Gen.21:5; 35:28,29;
Jacob is from 512 to 642 in Egypt, to 659 years after the flood.Gen.25,26; 47:9,11,28;
Joseph age 40 in Egypt 642, Jacob Gen.47:9 Egypt. 712 after the flood, Gen.50:26;
Aaron born 774, age 83 Exo.7:7; to age 123, 897 after flood, Num.33:38,39;
Moses born 777, age 80 Exo.7:7; 857 to age 120, 897 after the flood, in Deut.34:7;
Joshua 898 to Judge Jair dies Judges 11:26; is 300 years to 1,198 after the flood.
Samuel is 1,227 to 1,307, King Saul is 1,293 to 1333, King David 1Ki.2:10.11; at 1,373.
!ki.6:1; 480 Solomon at 897 after Moses is 1,377 after the flood, has 36 years 1Ki.11:42; to 1413 after the flood and 997 years before Christ.
The Judah kings go to the 391st year to Babylon captivity 1804 2Chr.36:20-23; after the flood, and 606 years before Christ. The Promised Land is desolate. Matt.1:1-17;

THERE WILL BE NO KING UNTIL KING CHRIST JESUS AT HIS SECOND COMING

Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Deut.18:15;