Topical Bible: Egypt: The Country of: Magi of

◄ Egypt: The Country of: Magi of ►

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Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, is often depicted as a land of both refuge and oppression for the people of Israel. It is a country located in the northeastern corner of Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east. Egypt's rich history and culture have made it a prominent setting in various biblical narratives.

Magi of Egypt

The term "Magi" is traditionally associated with wise men or astrologers, often linked to the East, particularly in the context of the Nativity account in the Gospel of Matthew. However, Egypt itself was known for its own class of wise men and magicians, who played significant roles in the biblical accounts.

In the book of Genesis, Egypt is first introduced as a place of refuge for Abram (later Abraham) during a time of famine (Genesis 12:10). Later, Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is sold into slavery and brought to Egypt, where he rises to prominence by interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, a skill that aligns with the practices of the Magi or wise men of the time (Genesis 41:14-16).

The magicians of Egypt are notably mentioned during the time of Moses. When God sends Moses to demand the release of the Israelites from Pharaoh's bondage, the Egyptian magicians attempt to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron. In Exodus 7:11-12 , it is recorded: "Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and sorcerers, and they, along with the magicians of Egypt, did the same things by their magic arts. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs."

These magicians, though able to mimic some of the initial signs, ultimately fail to match the power of God demonstrated through Moses. Their inability to replicate the plagues, such as the plague of gnats, leads them to acknowledge the "finger of God" (Exodus 8:18-19).

Egypt's reputation for wisdom and learning is further highlighted in the New Testament. In Acts 7:22 , Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin, states, "So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action." This underscores the advanced knowledge and skills attributed to the Egyptians, which Moses would have been exposed to during his upbringing in Pharaoh's household.

Throughout the Bible, Egypt serves as a backdrop for God's power and sovereignty, often juxtaposed with the wisdom and might of its magicians and wise men. The narratives involving the Magi of Egypt illustrate the limitations of human wisdom when confronted with divine authority, reinforcing the biblical theme of God's supremacy over all earthly powers.

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Genesis 41:8
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them to Pharaoh.
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Exodus 7:11
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
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1 Kings 4:30
And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
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Acts 7:22
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
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Library

The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
... wise men' returned into their own country another way ... the Holy Family sought temporary
shelter in Egypt. ... of attaining his object through the Magi, the reckless ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the visit and.htm

The Magi came from the East to Jerusalem,...
... [7] [242] Then Herod called the Magi secretly, and ... they travelled by another way
in going to their country. ... child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section iii the magi came.htm

The Flight into Egypt.
... in a dream to go to their own country, Joseph was ... things of wood, so they lived quietly
in Egypt waiting until ... very angry when he heard that the Magi had gone ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii the flight into.htm

He Proves that this Prophecy Harmonizes with Christ Alone, from ...
... [2244] "So Herod, when the Magi from Arabia ... had departed by another way to their
own country, according to ... Mary and the Child, had now gone into Egypt, as it ...
/.../chapter lxxviii he proves that this.htm

Of the Custom which is Kept up in the Province of Egypt for ...
... In the country of Egypt this custom is by ancient ... who were in the monasteries of
Egypt, in perfection ... altered, and the manifestation to the Magi was coupled ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii of the custom.htm

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
... Since the magi were guided by a star, they were forced to ... It is found in Egypt, Arabia,
and Abyssinia ... to Herod, they departed into their own country another way ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiii eastern wise-men or magi.htm

"We have Seen his Star"
... And through the gifts of the magi from a heathen country, the Lord supplied the
means for the journey into Egypt and the sojourn in a land of strangers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 6 we have seen.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9
... Worship and temples: fire-altars, sacrifices, the Magi. ... III., the battle of Pelusium;
Egypt reduced to a ... The organisation of the country and its division into ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 9/title page.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... This interval between the visit of the Magi and the ... together her account of the Flight
into Egypt, he wondered ... they are probably in the hill country south of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... the Medes, or rather the tribe of the Magi among the ... laid upon him by the laws of
the country, which did ... to labour as in the days when he still dwelt in Egypt. ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm