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Egypt is a country on the northern coast of Africa. It is bordered on the North by the Mediterranean Sea, on the West by Libya, on the South by Sudan, and on the East mostly by the Red Sea. While the boundaries of Egypt have changed throughout its vast history, one thing hasn’t changed; its population is centered around the Nile River and the Nile River Delta.
Regarding the biblical record, it was one of the great empires of ancient times. Militarily, its main rivals were from Mesopotamia, the biblical empires of Assyria and Babylon. The Egyptians often invaded Israel to control the trade routes to Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, which meant vast wealth from trade dollars and taxes. These battles (one recorded by Thutmose III - circa 1450 BC) center around the town of Megiddo, which was a high point at the crossing of the main n/s trade route from Egypt to Asia Minor and the main e/w trade route from Egypt to Mesopotamia.
Egypt played such a great part of Bible history that its name is mentioned more than 750 times in Scripture, and the word “Pharaoh” more than 200 times (according to Accordance Bible Software).
Major characters from the Old Testament are associated with Egypt: Abraham and the entire family of Jacob spent time in Egypt. Joseph and Jeremiah died in Egypt. Solomon married a daughter of Pharaoh and gave her the town of Gezer as her dowry.
Many Jews fled to Egypt when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel in 586 BC. Most of them settled in and around the area which became Alexandria, where they remained for many years. Josephus stated that many Jews were still there when Alexander the Great founded the city in 332 BC.
Many Jews fled to Egypt when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel in 586 BC. Most of them settled in and around the area which became Alexandria, where they remained for many years. Josephus stated that many Jews were still there when Alexander the Great founded the city in 332 BC.
In the New Testament, Egypt became the sanctuary of Joseph, Mary, and the Christ Child when they fled the “Slaughter of the Innocents” by Herod the Great.
According to church tradition, John Mark (author of the Gospel of Mark) went to Egypt and established a strong Christian presence in Alexandria. It is believed that he was martyred there in 68 AD.
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