Topical Bible: Egypt: The Country of: Limits of

◄ Egypt: The Country of: Limits of ►

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Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as a land of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites. The geographical and political boundaries of Egypt during biblical times are essential for understanding its role and influence in the biblical narrative.

Geographical Boundaries:

In the Bible, Egypt is often referred to as "Mizraim," which is the Hebrew name for the country. The land of Egypt is primarily located in the northeastern corner of Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east. The Nile River, a crucial lifeline for the nation, flows northward through Egypt, providing fertile land in an otherwise arid region.

The Bible provides some insights into the limits of Egypt. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." The "river of Egypt" is often interpreted as the Wadi el-Arish, a seasonal river in the Sinai Peninsula, marking the northeastern boundary of Egypt.

Political Boundaries:

During the time of the patriarchs and the Exodus, Egypt was a powerful kingdom with influence extending beyond its immediate geographical borders. The Bible recounts the account of Joseph, who rose to prominence in Egypt and brought his family to settle in the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:6), located in the eastern Nile Delta. This area was fertile and suitable for the Israelites' livestock, indicating Egypt's control over this region.

In the prophetic literature, Egypt is often depicted as a significant power. Isaiah 19:1-4 speaks of the Lord's judgment against Egypt, highlighting its political and military might. The boundaries of Egypt during these times would have included the Nile Delta and extended southward along the Nile River.

Historical Context:

Egypt's limits and influence fluctuated throughout biblical history. During the reign of Solomon, Egypt was a significant ally, as evidenced by Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kings 3:1). However, Egypt also posed a threat, as seen in the account of Pharaoh Shishak's invasion during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26).

The prophets often referenced Egypt in their oracles, emphasizing its role as both a refuge and a source of temptation for Israel. In Ezekiel 29:10, the Lord declares, "I am against you and your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush." This passage suggests a comprehensive view of Egypt's extent, from the northern border near the Mediterranean to the southern reaches near modern-day Sudan.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance:

Egypt's limits are not only geographical but also cultural and spiritual. The Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, culminating in the Exodus, is a foundational narrative in the Bible. Egypt is often symbolized as a place of bondage and idolatry, contrasting with the Promised Land, a place of freedom and covenantal relationship with God.

In summary, the limits of Egypt in the biblical context encompass both its geographical boundaries and its broader cultural and political influence. Egypt's interactions with Israel and its role in biblical prophecy underscore its significance in the biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 29:10
Behold, therefore I am against you, and against your rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even to the border of Ethiopia.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Egypt and Greece.
... travelers from other countries who visited Egypt, made many ... explored it; and beyond
those limits, they supposed ... the burning sun made the country uninhabitable. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

Epistle xiii. --To Hierax, a Bishop in Egypt.
... Epistle XIII."To Hierax, a Bishop in Egypt. ... do not say merely to pass beyond the
limits of the ... flood-tide, that it has overflowed all the country round about ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/epistle xiii to hierax a bishop.htm

He Division of the Land.
... as those which were altogether 'without the limits.' Those cities ... a peculiar title,
the "coast or country by the ... possessed, who went up out of Egypt"; and that ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 1 he division of.htm

Egypt
... The limits of the Babylonian empire were permanently fixed at ... The Egyptian loved
the country, with its fresh air ... wealth and very existence of Egypt depended on ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... the river soon overpassed the first limits, and steadily ... the province of Thebes,
the whole country was a ... period for the physical formation of Egypt would cover ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... by the laws of the country, which did not suffer him to become enervated by idleness,
but obliged him to labour as in the days when he still dwelt in Egypt. ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... what took place regularly throughout the whole of Egypt, down to the latest times,
and what probably still occurs in those parts of the country where European ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Israelites
... The limits of David's rule were extended to the ... Samaria, the later capital of the
country, was taken ... Judah, and commercial relations were kept up with Egypt. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Messenger
... Off the long wharves at the southernmost limits of the city, the rapid boat overtook ...
This traffic was countenanced in Egypt until the country passed into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iii the messenger.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Asia, and all conquerors, whether attracted to Mesopotamia or to Egypt by the ... fatal
consequence of its position, had the formation of the country permitted its ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm