Egypt is mentioned over 600 times in the Bible, which shows its prominence and importance in Biblical history. Here is an overview of the significance of Egypt in the Bible:
Egypt as a Place of Refuge
In the book of Genesis, we read how Abraham visited Egypt to escape famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10). Later, Joseph’s brothers also went to Egypt to buy grain during famine (Genesis 42:1-3). Most significantly, Jacob and his family moved to Egypt to survive famine and settled there for over 400 years (Genesis 46:1-7). God used Egypt as a place of refuge for the patriarchs.
Joseph’s Rise to Power in Egypt
One of the most well-known Bible stories is Joseph’s journey to Egypt as a slave and prisoner, before rising to become second-in-command under Pharaoh (Genesis 39-41). God sent Joseph ahead of his family to Egypt to prepare the way for them and preserve them during famine (Genesis 45:5-8).
Moses and the Exodus from Egypt
Moses was born and raised in Egypt before God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The Exodus was a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, marking their liberation from bondage and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 12:31-42). God performed many miracles and judgments on Egypt to deliver His people.
Egypt as an Enemy of Israel
After the Exodus, Egypt was often portrayed as an enemy of Israel. When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, Pharaoh pursued them with his army (Exodus 14:5-9). Later, during the divided kingdom period, Israel’s kings sometimes turned to Egypt for military aid rather than trusting God (Isaiah 30:1-3). Relying on Egypt led to disaster.
Prophecies Against Egypt
Many of the prophets pronounced oracles and judgments against Egypt because of their pride and hostility towards Israel. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel contain scathing indictments of Egypt’s leaders and prophecies of its coming judgment and desolation (Isaiah 19; Jeremiah 46; Ezekiel 29-32). Nevertheless, Egypt was also promised eventual restoration and blessing.
Egypt as a Place of Refuge in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with the infant Jesus to escape King Herod (Matthew 2:13-15). Just as God protected Israel in Egypt centuries earlier, He protected Jesus there. This shows God’s sovereignty even over those who were enemies of Israel.
Biblical Imagery and Symbolism
Beyond the historical accounts, Egypt also functions as an important symbol and metaphor in Scripture. Egypt represents bondage, sin, and reliance on human strength contrasted with the freedom in Christ. The Exodus motif is applied to salvation in Christ (Galatians 4:21-31). Revelation 11:8 figuratively calls Jerusalem “Sodom and Egypt.”
Overview of Egypt’s Significance
In summary, Scripture shows how God used Egypt in the following ways:
- As a place of refuge for His people during famine
- As the location where Joseph rose to power to preserve Israel
- As the nation from which God powerfully delivered Israel in the Exodus
- As an enemy and stumbling block when Israel relied on it instead of God
- As an object of prophecy and judgment for its pride and hostility
- As a temporary refuge for Jesus as a child
- As a metaphor for bondage from which God delivers His people
Clearly Egypt played a central role in many key events, characters, themes, and prophecies recorded in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Examining these accounts provides insight into God’s covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign purpose in history.
Abraham’s Journey to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20)
In Genesis 12:10-20, we read about Abraham’s journey to Egypt to escape famine in Canaan. At this point, God had called Abraham out of Ur and promised to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). However, a famine struck Canaan so Abraham went down to Egypt, indicating he did not fully trust God to sustain him. In Egypt, Abraham feared he would be killed if Pharaoh desired his wife Sarah. So he lied, calling Sarah his sister. As a result, Pharaoh took Sarah into his palace. The Lord afflicted Pharaoh’s household until he discovered the truth and rebuked Abraham. Nonetheless, God protected Abraham and Sarah despite Abraham’s lack of faith. This account shows God’s faithfulness towards His called people even when they falter.
Joseph Sold into Slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:12-36)
Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt. His brothers were jealous of him being their father Jacob’s favorite son. When Joseph was sent to check on them, the brothers plotted to kill him but instead sold him to passing Midianite merchants heading to Egypt. In Egypt, Joseph was sold again to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Though this was a tragic betrayal by his brothers, God sent Joseph to Egypt to accomplish His greater purposes, as seen in Joseph’s later rise to power. God can bring good out of evil.
Joseph Rises to Power in Egypt (Genesis 39-41)
In Egypt, Joseph gained favor with Potiphar and was placed over his household. But when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of attacking her, he was thrown into prison (Genesis 39). There, Joseph gained favor and interpreted dreams for two royal servants. When Pharaoh had disturbing dreams, the servants recommended Joseph to interpret them. Joseph foretold 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. He proposed a plan to store and distribute food wisely (Genesis 41). Pharaoh appointed Joseph second-in-command over Egypt to implement this plan. When famine struck, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for food and bowed down before him, fulfilling Joseph’s earlier dreams of ruling over them (Genesis 42-45). Through all this, Joseph remained faithful to God.
Jacob and His Family Migrate to Egypt (Genesis 46:1-7)
Due to the severe famine, Jacob (Israel) and his family migrated to Egypt under Joseph’s invitation and Pharaoh’s permission. God spoke to Jacob in visions, telling him not to fear going to Egypt because He would make his descendants into a great nation there (Genesis 46:3-4). Jacob, his sons and their families, 70 people total, settled in the region of Goshen in northern Egypt (Genesis 46:26-27). By multiplying into a nation in Egypt, the stage was set for the Exodus story of their deliverance by God’s mighty hand.
Moses’ Birth and Upbringing in Egypt (Exodus 1-2)
The Exodus story begins with the Israelites increasing rapidly in number in Egypt, causing the new Pharaoh to oppress them ruthlessly (Exodus 1:8-14). To limit their growth, Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. Moses’ mother hid him for 3 months before placing him in a papyrus basket in the Nile River. He was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter who took pity on him and adopted him (Exodus 2:1-10). Though raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses identified with his oppressed Hebrew people. After killing an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew, Moses fled as a wanted man to Midian where God later called him from the burning bush (Exodus 2:11-3:2).
The 10 Plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7-12)
When Moses demanded Pharaoh to let God’s people go into the wilderness to worship, Pharaoh refused resulting in devastating plagues on Egypt. God turned the Nile to blood, sent plagues of frogs, gnats, flies, diseased livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness. Pharaoh’s heart remained hard after each plague until the 10th and most terrible plague: the death of all the firstborn sons in Egypt (Exodus 7-12). Only the Israelites protected by blood from the Passover lamb were spared. This broke Pharaoh’s resolve and he finally let them leave. The plagues affirmed God’s power over Egypt’s false gods.
The Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:31-42)
After the 10th plague, Pharaoh urged the Israelites to leave Egypt. Fleeing quickly, 600,000 Israelite men plus women and children left Egypt after 430 years of captivity. God instituted the Passover feast for them to commemorate this deliverance for all generations. They plundered gold, silver and clothing from the Egyptians on their way out. God led them by pillars of cloud and fire. He parted the Red Sea for them to cross but closed it on Pharaoh’s pursuing army. God mightily delivered His people from slavery, fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham centuries before.
Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites (Exodus 14)
After allowing the Israelite exodus from Egypt, Pharaoh had a change of heart and pursued them with his chariots and army (Exodus 14:5-9). The Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea but cried out to God. He told Moses to raise his staff and the Lord drove back the sea all night with a strong east wind, turning the seabed into dry land. The Israelites crossed safely but the Egyptians were bogged down and destroyed when Moses stretched his hand again, bringing the waters crashing down on them (Exodus 14:21-28). This ended the Egyptian threat against Israel for good.
Solomon’s Marriage Alliances with Pharaoh’s Daughter (1 Kings 3:1)
During the united kingdom under his rule, Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by taking his daughter as wife. Though growing up, David Solomon’s father never trusted Egypt for military aid, Solomon established political ties with Egypt through marriage. His other foreign wives turned his heart from fully following God. This compromise and accommodation of Egyptian influence was condemned by God and contributed to Israel’s later division under Solomon’s son Rehoboam. (1 Kings 11:1-13)
Israel Seeks Help from Egypt’s Pharaoh (Isaiah 30:1-5)
Prior to Assyrian invasion, Israel’s King Hezekiah sought military aid from Egypt to defend against the Assyrian threat rather than trusting in God’s deliverance (Isaiah 30:1-5). Isaiah condemned this alliance with Egypt, saying Pharaoh’s protection would be utterly useless and futile. Rather than finding safety under Egypt’s shadow, Israel’s strength was to repent and rely fully on the Lord. Isaiah predicted Assyria would be crushed by God’s power. Seeking Egypt’s help showed a lack of faith in God’s ability to defend His people.
Prophecy Against Egypt’s Pharaoh (Isaiah 19:1-17)
Isaiah 19 contains a sobering prophecy against Egypt and its Pharaohs. God declares He will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian, destroying their idols, leaders and allies. Their economy will suffer loss of the Nile’s waters, drought and famine. The prophecy indicates a time when Egypt will fear Israel because of the judgment of the Lord of Hosts. But it concludes with a message of hope and restoration for Egypt. Though judged for its pride, a highway will be built connecting Egypt to Assyria and Israel as a blessing.
Jeremiah’s Prophecy Against Egypt (Jeremiah 46)
In Jeremiah 46, the prophet pronounces God’s judgment on Egypt and its Pharaoh Neco before Babylon’s invasion. Though Egypt’s army was mighty, it would flee and fall, unable to withstand Babylon’s onslaught. God allowed Babylon to punish Egypt for its idolatry and wickedness. Jeremiah compared Egypt to a flooding Nile River that would arrogantly overflow its banks. But just as God dried up the Red Sea before Moses, He would dry up Egypt’s waters and destroy their false gods. Jeremiah’s words came true when Babylon defeated Egypt at Carchemish.
Ezekiel’s Prophecies Against Egypt (Ezekiel 29-32)
Similarly, Ezekiel prophesied God’s judgment on Egypt and its Pharaohs for their arrogance and hostility towards Israel. God compared Egypt to a great monster dwelling in the Nile that would be caught on hooks and dragged from the rivers, left to rot and be picked apart by birds (Ezekiel 29:3-5). Ezekiel foretold Egypt’s devastation at the hands of Babylon as God’s punishment, warning no human foot would pass through Egypt for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:8-12). But after this discipline, Ezekiel also promised Egypt would eventually return as a lowly kingdom, no longer exalting itself against God’s people (Ezekiel 29:13-16).
Flight to Egypt to Escape Herod (Matthew 2:13-18)
In the New Testament, God spoke to Joseph in a dream telling him to take Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s murderous rage after the wise men left (Matthew 2:13-15). They remained there until Herod died. This reenacted Israel’s divine protection in Egypt centuries earlier. It fulfilled Hosea’s prophecy “Out of Egypt I called my son” picturing Israel’s Exodus. Though Egypt harbored idols, God protected His Son there highlighting His sovereignty over all nations and powers.
Egypt as a Symbol of Bondage Versus Freedom in Christ (Galatians 4:21-31)
Paul used the story of Sarah and Hagar as an allegory contrasting law and faith, flesh and Spirit. Hagar the slave woman represented the Old Covenant given at Mt. Sinai that brought bondage and subjection. Sarah the free woman represented the New Covenant that brings freedom and sonship to all in Christ. Just as Hagar and Ishmael were cast out to experience oppression, those trying to earn righteousness by law are in slavery. Believers in Christ are children of the free woman, similar to Isaac. We are not children of Mt. Sinai in Arabia, which allegorically corresponds to earthly Jerusalem in slavery with her children.
Sodom and Egypt as Symbolic Names for Jerusalem (Revelation 11:8)
In Revelation, John uses Sodom and Egypt as symbolic parallel names for the earthly city of Jerusalem to convey spiritual decay and oppression. Just as Sodom was judged for immorality and Egypt enslaved God’s people, end-times Jerusalem is likened to these in rebelling against God. The witnesses of God will be killed there and their corpses left in its streets. But after 31⁄2 days they will be raised, vindicated and judgment will follow. The witnesses resurrection will result in an earthquake that kills 7000 and brings terror, foreshadowing coming judgment on Jerusalem.
Summary of Key Points
In reviewing the significance of Egypt in Scripture, these are some key points that emerge:
- God used Egypt as a place of refuge and preservation for His people during times of famine, proving His faithfulness.
- Joseph’s story demonstrated God’s sovereignty raising him to power in Egypt to rescue Israel.
- The Exodus story highlights God’s might in judging Egypt and miraculously delivering His people from bondage.
- Egypt is portrayed negatively when God’s people relied on its aid rather than on the Lord.
- Egypt underwent judgment by prophets for its pride, idols and oppression of Israel.
- The Exodus story typifies the greater salvation believers have in Christ.
- God called His Son out of Egypt, showing His rule over all nations.
- Egypt represents slavery, sin and the law contrasted with freedom in the gospel.
Clearly Egypt figured prominently in redemptive history from Genesis to Revelation, illustrating God’s sovereignty, power, judgment, and salvation.