Topical Bible: Egypt: Often a Refuge to Strangers

◄ Egypt: Often a Refuge to Strangers ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Egypt, a prominent nation in biblical history, frequently served as a place of refuge for various individuals and groups throughout the Scriptures. Its geographical location and political stability often made it a sanctuary during times of famine, conflict, or persecution.

Abraham and Sarah
The first notable instance of Egypt as a refuge is found in the account of Abraham. During a severe famine in Canaan, Abraham and his wife Sarah sought refuge in Egypt. Genesis 12:10 states, "Now there was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while, because the famine was severe." This journey, although fraught with challenges, highlights Egypt's role as a place of sustenance during hardship.

Joseph and His Family
The narrative of Joseph further underscores Egypt's role as a refuge. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually rose to power in Egypt, becoming second only to Pharaoh. During a subsequent famine, Joseph's family sought refuge in Egypt, where they were provided for and protected. Genesis 47:11-12 records, "So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families."

Moses and the Israelites
While Egypt initially served as a refuge for the Israelites, it later became a place of oppression. However, the initial migration of Jacob's family to Egypt was a move to preserve life during a time of famine. Over time, the Israelites grew into a great nation within Egypt's borders, as described in Exodus 1:7 : "but the Israelites were fruitful and increased abundantly; they multiplied and became exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them."

Jeremiah and the Remnant of Judah
After the fall of Jerusalem, a remnant of Judah sought refuge in Egypt, despite the prophet Jeremiah's warnings. Jeremiah 43:7 recounts, "So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the LORD and went as far as Tahpanhes." This migration was driven by fear of Babylonian retribution, illustrating Egypt's continued role as a place of asylum, albeit with divine disapproval in this instance.

The Flight of the Holy Family
In the New Testament, Egypt again serves as a refuge, this time for the Holy Family. Following the birth of Jesus, an angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre of the infants. Matthew 2:13-14 narrates, "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up!' he said. 'Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.' So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt."

Throughout biblical history, Egypt is depicted as a land of refuge, providing shelter and sustenance to those in need. Its role as a sanctuary is a recurring theme, reflecting both the physical and spiritual journeys of God's people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 12:10
And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 47:4
They said morever to Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for your servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray you, let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:17,40
That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 25:26
And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 2:12,13
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Coffin in Egypt
... Finally, that 'coffin in Egypt' was a pledge of possession. ... in fruition than in prospect,
and often turn to ... and when floods sweep away every refuge built on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a coffin in egypt.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... matters that outer circumstances made him take refuge in the ... just as the Child Jesus
fled to Egypt as the ... his birth, and that he was often seen surrounded by ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... and the other gods, had taken refuge in the ... talismans and enriched the sanctuaries
of Egypt with relics ... personage of the beneficent Pharaoh is often depicted in ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... either by rebellion** or by taking refuge with some ... us nowadays but small esteem:
in Egypt sorcery was ... royalty, and the magicians of Pharaoh often took Pharaoh ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Peninsula and the frontiers of Egypt are reached ... weapons and implements, besides
pottery, often elegant in ... Sheikh Ammianshi, with whom Sinuhit took refuge.***. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... flames: the inhabitants having taken refuge in the ... had, moreover, commercial relations
with Egypt, and furnished ... and modern draughtsmen have often neglected it ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... During his reign, the King of Egypt marched into Palestine and ... beam, crowned with
a very hard end, often shaped like ... and even the temple was no refuge for them ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... arm, would lead forth the slaves of Egypt to become ... more you are tempted, Satan will
not so often tempt you ... you, and God of Jacob shall be your refuge, and your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Editor's Preface
... Mabug and Eri-Aku, and had fled for refuge to the ... But it is from Egypt that the most
revolutionary ... The writing material, as in Babylonia, was often clay, over ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 1/editors preface.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... old highway along the sea-shore from Egypt up to ... The roads to the cities of refuge
required to be ... the real Publicani, or publicans, who often underlet certain ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm