Theory: Why The Exodus Myth Exists

There is little doubt among the vast majority of archaeologists working in the "holy land" that the Exodus and subsequent invasion of Canaan did not occur. Here are just a few of the reasons why (please read the sections on the Exodus and subsequent invasion before commenting).One of the biggest problems is Egypt itself. This was the height of Egyptian civilization. Egypt bore strong influence over Canaan itself, and continued to do so for some time after this. In fact, the very first mention of Israel in the archaeological record - such as the Merneptah Stela - are a discussion of Egypt punishing rebels in the area, to reassert its rule. We are to believe that 2 million slaves left Egypt itself (after a population growth of 35,000x in two centuries), and Egypt launched a failed pursuit, then resettled in an Egyptian-controlled territory, without Egypt writing a single word about any of the described events.I propose a theory as to the origins of the Exodus myth. We know that the Jews and Palestinians are, genetically, a closely related people, with a split in the relatively recent past. This would tend to indicate that they came from the same population, living in the same region of the middle east. Not being tied together by one large river, the land of Canaan was filled with independent city states, as evidenced by archaeology.Ancient Egypt is not famed as a kind or forgiving empire. Any region that fell under Egypt's thumb would undoubtedly not look kindly on them. In fact, they would, in some ways, slaves on their own soil - paying tithes to Egypt, having Egyptian garrisons in their land, etc. Canaanite populations during the time of the supposed exodus and conquest are estimated at about only 20,000-50,000 people. During this time (it has even been suggested that Solomon was patterned after Amenhotep III), there would have been no question as to who was the mightier nation - and yet there is evidence of multiple revolts.Egyptian power, however, steadily waned after this point. After the conquest of much of the Egyptian territory during the 25th dynasty (~650-770 BC) by the Assyrians (who even plundered Thebes), Egypt ceased to be a major player in the region.However, we have in Canaan a people who *was* ruled over by a foreign nation, Egypt, and who we know launched regular revolts against them. It becomes, then, much easier to see how they could come to view their history not as a nation ruled over, but as Egyptian slaves; and, since their history being told of as being ruled over by Egyptians, they may well have come to have taken that to mean that they were actually *in* Egypt, and revolted, with the entire population of late-history Israel (and more) upping and walking to their current homeland, and fighting off the neighboring city states that they had found themselves at war with in later history.Comments on this theory?------------------
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."[This message has been edited by Rei, 11-20-2003]

Don't quit the day job. I've just read all of Exodus, amazing book and I believe every word, you wont mind though as we all have the right to believe.

There is a right to beliefs of your choice. This is to protect minority religions (such as yours). However, why you would want to extend this to things that are outside the bounds of the supernatural and the religious I don't know.When things are deteminable from natural evidence then why would we cling to "belief"? It demeans the place of faith in those places where it is understood to be a right.

To Mike:Did you actually read the section of the article referenced, and have any specific complaints about it? I'd bet on 2 to 1 odds that you didn't even click the link. ------------------
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."

Was the seed grafted amongst weeds. Mine is good ground with a firm foundation.

I don't care if you think the Exodus didn't happen. That's your belief. I will continue to believe it did because I have faith in God's word - all of it. Why does it matter so much to you anyway - ask yourself that.[This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 11-20-2003]

It is in the case, more than belief, Mike.All you do is make yourself look foolish and by assoication the words you worship. This is a place for debate and discussion based on evidence and reason. A final answer to such evidence that is simply ignoring it doesn't belong here.

Faith is believing against the odds. I don't care what Rei THINKS is truth and I don't mind looking foolish. i am saying I believe Exodus is true - if I searched for evidence I would indeed have no faith. I know about faith Ned, and doubt.[This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 11-20-2003]

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Faith is believing against the odds. I don't care what Rei THINKS is truth and I don't mind looking foolish. i am saying I believe Exodus is true - if I searched for evidence I would indeed have no faith. I know about faith Ned, and doubt.

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Mike, if you're not going to look at evidence... and you're not going to present evidence... what are you doing here?Also, I suggest you read this:The page you were looking for doesn't exist (404)It's from a Christian magazine where a reader wrote in asking whether or not he should even look at evidence posed by a friend, because he fears that needing to see evidence would mean that he doesn't have faith.------------------
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."

Your evidence places no fear in me, isn't your evidence just absense, hasn't Crashfrog give you the lowdown on the contact lense?Why arent you disputing those other religions if they hold the same credence as you suggest[This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 11-20-2003]

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Your evidence places no fear in me, isn't your evidence just absense,

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I guess you'll never know until you read the link, now won't you?------------------
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."

I've heard it all before, I still believe - why does this bother you?

I agree. The term "Palestinians" is an anachronism. In fact, "Palestine" is derived from "Philistine", ones of the Sea Peoples that arrived with the Iron Age. When, where, and according to whom? I know of no LBA estimate as low as 20,000, while 50,000 is the number suggested (by, among others, Finklestein) for the highland population circa 1200 BCE. In fact, Iron Age I was a period characterized by the repopulation of the Central Highlands after their abandonment during the Late Bronze. During what time? I still don't get a sense of your dating of the Exodus. As for Amenhotep III, given the 3-century hiatus, is there anything in the suggestion other than idle speculation? You would never had asserted that "there is little doubt among the vast majority of archaeologists working in the "holy land" that the Exodus and subsequent invasion of Canaan did not occur" without first becoming somewhat aware of their views on the matter. Yet you seem to have done little beyond present a somewhat vague caricature of Finkelstein et al as if it was your own personal theory. Finkelstein is better.

The exodus happening or not is a minor little tiny detail in the story that the bible is really trying to tell.If you had really powerful powers of persuasion and managed to convince lots and lots of Christians that your view was correct what would happen to the faith as more and more evidence of this type is uncovered. More and more it would damage the faith you profess.Get used to it. The Bible is NOT a history book, it is NOT a science text. If you insist on that you only do damage not good.Real theologians and most Christians would tell you that you have the wrong approach. You approach is dangerous to the faith. Do NOT insist that it says things which are demonstrably untrue. If you wish to stick to those interpretations you only set it up to be proven wrong. Not that I care much at all but it is beyond me why you would want to do that.

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The term "Palestinians" is an anachronism. In fact, "Palestine" is derived from "Philistine", ones of the Sea Peoples that arrived with the Iron Age.

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Ah, so we went to do genetic tests on Philistines? Is there the Philistine National Authority? Is the plan to create two states side by side, Israel and the Philistines?No. They're Palestinians nowadays; it doesn't matter what they used to be.

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When, where, and according to whom? I know of no LBA estimate as low as 20,000, while 50,000 is the number suggested (by, among others, Finklestein) for the highland population circa 1200 BCE.

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According to Zeligman, Finklestein puts the number at 20,000 in the 12th century BCE, and 50,000 toward the end of the 11th.

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In fact, Iron Age I was a period characterized by the repopulation of the Central Highlands after their abandonment during the Late Bronze.

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Care to offer alternative population figures, or are you just going to assert that they're wrong?

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During what time? I still don't get a sense of your dating of the Exodus. As for Amenhotep III, given the 3-century hiatus, is there anything in the suggestion other than idle speculation?

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Read the link. I gave it for a reason.

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You would never had asserted that "there is little doubt among the vast majority of archaeologists working in the "holy land" that the Exodus and subsequent invasion of Canaan did not occur" without first becoming somewhat aware of their views on the matter.

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My apologies - let me conduct a poll first. I've read from enough different archaeologists to at least get a general idea. You even agreed with it. What is the reason for you posting this, apart from trying to make yourself sound somehow more intelligent?(BTW, I just went and read over your post history... you should also, just so you can realize how you sound to others - condescending. I sometimes get the same way, by the way, so I'm not trying to be haughty on this particular issue. It is something that one has to consciously watch in a debate.)

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Yet you seem to have done little beyond present a somewhat vague caricature of Finkelstein et al as if it was your own personal theory. Finkelstein is better.

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And where does Finkelstein present this theory?------------------
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."[This message has been edited by Rei, 11-20-2003]