Originally posted by tabibito
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An interesting issue arises from findings of archaeological digs.
The Merneptah Stele refers to Israel by name, which means that at the time the Stele was erected in commemoration of a military victory over various (at the least) city states. Of Israel the stele "makes reference to the supposed utter destruction of Israel in a campaign prior to his 5th year in Canaan: "Israel has been wiped out...its seed** is no more."
** seed being in all likelihood, crops and grain stores. Seemingly, Egypt did not refer to people as seed.
Mernetaph succeeded Ramses II as pharaoh, in 1213 BC and ruled until 1203.
The stele commemorates a battle in 1208/1207 against the people of Israel, among others.
The exodus supposedly occurred during the time of Ramses II.
Ramses II held power for 67 years.
Nothing of the record concerning Ramses II seems to be a reasonable match for the description given in Exodus of the Pharaoh of Moses' time.
Why is Ramses II touted as the relevant Pharaoh?
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ETA - and even more interesting information on the archaeological front. Archaeological evidence for habitation of the upper Sinai region is not regarded as absent, but as missing. All logical expectation says the evidence should be there.
The Merneptah Stele refers to Israel by name, which means that at the time the Stele was erected in commemoration of a military victory over various (at the least) city states. Of Israel the stele "makes reference to the supposed utter destruction of Israel in a campaign prior to his 5th year in Canaan: "Israel has been wiped out...its seed** is no more."
** seed being in all likelihood, crops and grain stores. Seemingly, Egypt did not refer to people as seed.
Mernetaph succeeded Ramses II as pharaoh, in 1213 BC and ruled until 1203.
The stele commemorates a battle in 1208/1207 against the people of Israel, among others.
The exodus supposedly occurred during the time of Ramses II.
Ramses II held power for 67 years.
Nothing of the record concerning Ramses II seems to be a reasonable match for the description given in Exodus of the Pharaoh of Moses' time.
Why is Ramses II touted as the relevant Pharaoh?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETA - and even more interesting information on the archaeological front. Archaeological evidence for habitation of the upper Sinai region is not regarded as absent, but as missing. All logical expectation says the evidence should be there.
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