Exodus Chapter 1This is the semitic burial property in Goshen where it is believed that Joseph and his 11 brothers were buried. Joseph being the Viceroy to Pharaoh would have been the only one to receive a mixed tomb in the shape of a pyramid with semitic details inside.Statue to the semitic ruler found inside of the pyramidal tomb in Goshen…do you see a coat of many colors?This is the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Dahshur. The limestone outer layer has been stripped and the mud and straw brick interior structure has been heavily weathered.This is the tomb pyramid of Amenemhat III at Hawara, again the outer layer of limestone has been repurposed while the mud and straw brick core weathers away.
This is a great article exposing the concrete construction used on the pyramids
Chapter 2
Exodus Chapter 2Amenemhat III, a candidate for the Pharaoh at the time of Moses. His daughter who it is believed could also later have become one of his wives, was named Neferuptah and it is possibly she who takes Moses from the water.
This is a Sphinx of Amenemhat III in a “Hyksos” style. This is likely because of the large interactions of the Hyksos in the Northeastern region and the Egyptians.
Ahmose I is a candidate for the Pharoah of the Exodus. He successfully united once again the Northern and Southern kingdoms while expanding the control of Egypt into Canaan while expelling the Hyksos of the Northeastern Nile Delta
Ahmose led three attacks against the city of Avaris the Hyksos capital but was able to conquer it in his fourth attempt and was also able to take the stronghold of the Hyksos Sharuhen near Gaza after a 3-6 year siege after taking their capital Avaris. He was strong enough to restore Theban rule over all of Egypt and reasserted Egyptian authority with the former territories of Nubia and Canaan. Perhaps, this was how he was able to enslave the Hebrews (or Hyksos)
Pharaoh is usually shown on a reed raft along with Osiris or Ra as they cross our sky in order to connect the ruler with the deities Reed rafts made from papyrus are still used today in parts of Egypt and AfricaPapyrus, a valuable natural resource in the Nile River region and the material used to create the raft for MosesThis is where Moses fled to after it was uncovered that he had murdered an Egyptian Well of Moses to the day
Chapter 3
Exodus Chapter 3
Al Bad, Saudi Arabia
A view southwest from Midian towards Horeb (foreground with 3 summits) and Sinai (background)
A view northeast with Sinai (foreground) and Horeb (background with 3 summits to the left)
Located in the Northwest part of the Saudi Arabian peninsula of the Middle East, there is not a lot of rainfall to grow vegetation. So any fire would quickly consume the source and would rarely spread to other areas given distances between plants
Chapters 4&5
Exodus Chapters 4&5In requesting to travel 3 day’s journey to go into the wilderness to worship Yahweh, the underlying implication was that they would just take off. An average traveler would make 15-20 miles per day.Colorized Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting the manufacture of mud and straw bricks Although a modern hay field, the stubble is plainly left from where the hay was harvested. Basically the leftover grass which is still growing is the stubble. This is what the Hebrews would have had to go and gather in order to try and meet their quotas.Mud and straw bricks are still used today in arid regions of the world. Sun-dried, the straw/hay acts like the “rebar” to the mud A close up of installed mud and straw bricksRuins in Egypt made from mud and straw bricks Allied soldiers explore the Ziggurat at Ur in Iraq. Notice these are clay fired or clay-baked bricks which were also utilized in the Tower of Babel. They hold their shape longer and erode far slower, compared to the mud and straw bricks.
Chapters 6-11
Exodus Chapters 6-11
Hapi- god of the Nile
Heket- goddess of the harvest
Geb- god of dust and earth
Khepri- god of creation and rebirth
Hathor- goddess of love and protection
Nut- goddess of the sky
Set- god of chaos and storms
Ra- god of the sun
Pharaoh- son of Ra
Chapter 12
Exodus Chapter 12
Jewish Calendar including Festivals
Blood of the Passover Lamb spread on the lentil and on the side posts
This link will take you to my previously posted blog about the Passover in Egypt
Unleavened bread was practical because of the Passover in Egypt but it became spiritual to the Hebrews through the years
God provided great wealth and financial sustenance as well as the necessary gold for the coming Tabernacle and Temple from the very Egyptians that enslaved the HebrewsThis link will take you to my previously posted blog about the Last Supper…Jesus and the Apostles celebrating Passover
Chapter 13
Exodus Chapter 13
Artist rendering of what the pillar of fire by night could have looked like
Artist rendering of what the pillar of fire by day could have looked like
A possible route through the northern Sinai wilderness to the Red Sea crossing (Gulf of Aqaba) at Nuweiba
An alternative route to Nuweiba via the southern tip of Sinai
Chapter 14
Exodus Chapter 14
Crossing the Red Sea as depicted in the 1956 classic The Ten Commandments
Column erected on the shores of Nuweiba by King Solomon about 1000 years BC to commemorate the Red Sea crossing. This is the one on the Egyptian side of the Sea of Aqaba. The one on the Saudi Arabian side was broken off but the base is still visible.
This is a map showing the location of the Solomon Column on the Saudi shore. The Arabic label, when translated, literally translates to “The arrival of the people of Moses”
This is the path down the wadi the Hebrew people may have taken to Pi Hahiroth or Nuweiba
This is likely the location where the Pillar of Fire stood between the Hebrews who were crossing and the Egyptian army which was advancing.
Melted sand on the shore of Nuweiba
This is a recreation of one of Pharaoh’s prized 600 chariots which would have been destroyed in the Red Sea
While pinpointing the specific factors that led to the demise of the ancient Egyptian civilization is difficult, several early signs of weakening did emerge, leading to the eventual fall of ancient Egypt. The first sign of weakening was a loss of military power and lackluster military development due to available natural resources. While other surrounding and growing empires were able to forge iron from resources available locally, Egypt lacked access to ore and other necessary metals. With stronger weapons, Egypt became vulnerable to more powerful competing armies. Additionally, political conflicts led to the eventual split of the empire into northern and southern areas and a protracted civil war between the two regions. Together, these forces signaled the initial fragmentation of the Egyptian state as it was and opened the door for other growing empires to invade and take Egyptian territory.
Chapters 15&16
Exodus Chapters 15&16
The ladies danced along with Miriam the wife of Aaron as they celebrated God’s defeat of the Egyptians
Wadi of Elim
A depiction of what the Hebrew encampment may have looked like during time at Elim
Harlequin Quail
Arabian quail habitat
The Hebrews crossed over the Sea of Aqaba, journeyed 3 days to Marah and then camped at Elim for a time before heading into the Wilderness of Sin
Start at 23:30 in this video to meet up with these chapters
Chapters 17&18
Exodus Chapters 17&18
A aerial map showing the crossing beach of Nuweiba and the location of the split rock at the base of Mount Horeb and Mount Sinai in Rephidim
A view of the rock which was split by Moses’s staff. Evidence of erosion can be seen below the crack
A view of the split rock with a view of the encampment area in the background looking North
A potential example of what the water from the rock would have looked like
A potential battle plan as explained in Exodus 17:8-16
Watch from 26 minute mark until 27 minute mark
View of the Caves of Jethro near Al Bad, Saudi Arabia. There are some cave dwelling carved into the rocks as well as some other structures made from mud bricks
More mud brick walls can be found near the area called the Caves of Jethro. Saudi Arabia won’t officially allow visitors but has these areas fenced off as Historically and Archeologically important sites in what they refer to as a “State Park”
Likely the temple that Jethro was a priest in worshipping false gods prior to his conversion in Exodus 18
Moses delegating to judges from the people, for the people.
Chapters 19&20
Exodus Chapters 19&20
Moses gathering the people at the base of Mount Sinai in preparation for the “marriage” ceremony
The use of a huppa started as a Jewish tradition which is a reminder of the presence of God at Mount Sinai over the people of Israel as God covenanted to complete His 4th promise of the Exodus
This is the video I recommended about the connection between what Jesus was telling us as the bride of Christ and Galilee’s wedding practices.
Chapters 21-23
Exodus Chapters 21-23
Humans have bought and sold other humans for various reasons for thousands of years. The new laws on Mt. Sinai gave its first rights to the slaves, a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do for the slaves of sin on the cross.
Paul says in Galatians, “I carry the scars of Jesus on my own body.” (Gal 6:17 ISV) The word for scar here is στίγμα – stígma. Here is the Strong’s Definition: from a primary στίζω stízō (to “stick”, i.e. prick); a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service:—mark.
Chapter 24
Exodus Chapter 24
Location of the Plateau of the 70 Elders
A view of Mount Sinai from the Plateau of the 70 Elders
An artist’s depiction of Mount Sinai wrapped in fire and smoke
Comparison chart of early Hebrew, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Phoenician and Samaritan letters
Chapter 25
Exodus Chapter 25
A basic video overview of the instructions given to Moses on how to construct the Ark of the Covenant
Acacia Tree
Modern craftsmen test the feasibility of ancient Israelites ability to craft the Ark’s metal components
An example of what the Golden Pot of Manna might have looked like. Exodus 16:32-33
Aaron’s Rod that Budded
Chapter 26&27
Exodus Chapters 26&27
Native to the Mediterranean Sea is the Harbor Porpoise, a very close relative to the Dolphin
This display of different taxidermied Porpoises and Dolphins at a museum has the Harbour Porpoise at the bottom right.
Gemstones of the breastplate for the priestly garment
Breastplate of the Priestly Garment
Urim and Thummim
Pomegranates and bells on the hem of the priestly robe
Exodus 28 possible recreation
Walk through of some of the High Priest Garment
A reenactment of Exodus 29
Chapter 30 & 31
Exodus Chapters 30&31
Tabernacle/Temple Shekel
Bronze Basin or Bronze Laver
Myrrh Resin
Cinnamon tree with signs of harvests
“Sweet Cane” or “Sweet Flag” is actually acorus calamus
Cassia tree, a cousin to the cinnamon
Stacte, a resin from a Mediterranean plant which is harvested in the same manner as myrrh
Onycha is a fragrant resin from the tragacanth
A frankincense tree, from which the resin is extracted and dried to make the incense and essential oils. The bark was likely used to dye the rams skins red.
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem
Chapter 32 & 33
Exodus Chapters 32&33
Hathor- Egyptian goddess as “Mother Earth” representing music, joy, dance, love and sexuality
A golden Baal/Apis statue
Artist depiction of Moses breaking the tablets upon retuning to camp
A yoke of OxenNear East grindstones, in the desert, similar to what may have been used to turn the Golden Calf into dust by MosesOriginal design was for the presence of God to be in the midst of the people. After the golden calf, Moses moved the tent of meeting outside of the camp, still within eyesight, but far enough away to hopefully stave off any wrath from God for their treachery.
Chapter 34
Exodus Chapter 34
While these are not replicas or originals of the 10 Commandments, it is a possibility that these are what Moses brought down from Mount Sinai on his second trip to get the statutes from God
Chapter 35
Exodus Chapter 35
Chapters 36 & 37
Exodus Chapters 36&37
The setup of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, is a means by which we can approach God. We can’t do it on our own, and we can’t go empty handed. We must go with everything we have!
Chapters 38&39
Exodus Chapters 38&39
The value of the dwelling place of God on Earth, still pales in comparison to being with God Himself!
Chapter 40
Exodus Chapter 40
Battery died so didn’t get very far into this video. However, the main point of this chapter is that the work of constructing and erecting all of the elements commanded by God in order that He could be worshipped, and for Him to dwell in, on Earth came to fruition. God was now among the people!
