Topical Bible: Egypt: Sometimes Visited by Famine

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Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as a land that experienced periods of famine. These famines often played a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan for His people, serving as both a backdrop and a catalyst for pivotal events in the biblical narrative.

One of the most notable instances of famine in Egypt is recorded in the account of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, eventually rose to a position of great authority in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. This rise to power was divinely orchestrated to prepare for a severe famine that God revealed to Pharaoh through dreams, which Joseph interpreted. As recorded in Genesis 41:29-30 , Joseph warned, "Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land."

Joseph's administration during the years of plenty ensured that Egypt had enough grain stored to survive the subsequent famine. This period of scarcity not only affected Egypt but also the surrounding regions, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt to buy grain, ultimately leading to the reconciliation of Joseph with his family (Genesis 42-45).

Another significant mention of famine in Egypt occurs during the time of Abraham. In Genesis 12:10 , it is noted, "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 event is pivotal as it marks one of the first interactions between the patriarchs and Egypt, setting a precedent for future sojourns and interactions between the Israelites and the Egyptians.

The theme of famine in Egypt is not only a historical account but also serves as a theological motif throughout the Bible. It underscores God's sovereignty and provision, as He uses these times of scarcity to fulfill His promises and purposes. The famines drive key biblical figures to Egypt, a land that, despite its paganism and idolatry, becomes a place of refuge and divine intervention.

In the New Testament, Egypt is again mentioned in the context of refuge, though not directly related to famine. After the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre, fulfilling the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:15). This event echoes the earlier narratives of God's people finding temporary refuge in Egypt during times of crisis.

Throughout the biblical narrative, Egypt's experience with famine serves as a reminder of God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The famines highlight the transient nature of earthly abundance and the ultimate reliance on God's provision and guidance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 41:30
And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Nile and Egypt
... lips"this unattractive and ludicrous physiognomy, sometimes animated by an ... to the
primitive races of Egypt: even the ... When her husband visited her, he was a ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... growing bigger, and how He was often visited by other ... I also saw Jesus going sometimes
to the Jewish ... Abraham went to Egypt by God's command, firstly because of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... The higher ground and the hill-tops are sometimes covered with verdure, but as ... In
fact, till the Sinaitic Peninsula and the frontiers of Egypt are reached, the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... the light over the surface of the world.[*] Sometimes the facts ... THE SUN EMBARKS FOB
HIS JOURNEY THROUGH EGYPT.1 ... He visited each province in turn, and in each he ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... fellahin of the neighbourhood who have visited the rock ... the Khati of some common
privileges: Egypt, which had ... family or renowned for valour; sometimes by sea ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Matt. Ii. 2
... the wise men, the other He Himself visited with His ... rendered mgoi sometimes by "wise
men," and sometimes by t ... taught by the heathen philosophers of Egypt.--R.]. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily viii matt ii 2.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... night from the mighty realm of Egypt, of what ... for many hundred years by them: sometimes
hidden away ... of the Nestorian bishops, Mar Yohanah, visited this country ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Genesis
... that the God who had visited him at ... version they are not exactly in Egypt, but near ...
incidents, and the occasional inconsistencies, sometimes between different ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

Cholera, 1866
... God so terrible an offence, that He sometimes finds it ... the children of Israel to
deliver them out of Egypt. ... Have we, whom God hath visited, indeed, in the ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon xvii cholera 1866.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... to the number of forty or fifty, are sometimes represented on ... for as for the king
of the land of Egypt, it is ... and that the explorers of Puanit visited the Ilim ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm