The Liberation from Egypt and the New Chronology. The Results of Twentieth Century Archeological Research and the History of the Old Testament Cover Image

Az Egyiptomból való szabadulás és az új kronológia. A 20. század végi archeológiai kutatás eredményei és az ószövetségi kortörténet
The Liberation from Egypt and the New Chronology. The Results of Twentieth Century Archeological Research and the History of the Old Testament

Author(s): János Molnár
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai

Summary/Abstract: The traditional consensus regarding the Pentateuch no longer exists. Not only does literary criticism put in question the existence or dating of the traditions, but the results of recent archeological research contest the dating of the history of Israel and propose a new chronology. The classical chronology was based on data from Egyptology concluding that the Hebrews settled and lived in Egypt in the latter time of the Middle Empire (Late Bronze Age) during the Hyksos domination. The pharaoh of the oppression was Ramses II (possibly before him Sethos I, too), and the Exodus took place in the thirteenth century, during the reign of Ramses II. Recent archeological discoveries, especially the study of the stratification of the settlement in Tell-el-Daba, layers H-G1, buildings and tombs, as well as the reinterpretation of the old data (Sheshonk’s townlist on the portal of Karnak) put the whole Egyptian history in a new light. This implies a new chronology for the history of Israel. According to this, Hebrews settled in Egypt during the time of the XII. dynasty; Moses lived in Egypt during the reign of Chaneferre Sobekhotep IV (XIII. dynasty), and the Exodus took place under Dedumose (1457-1444). This new data leads to a reevaluation of the biblical traditions, considered for a long time unhistorical by biblical criticism (see 1Kgs 6:1 that supposes the Exodus was in 1446). Biblical research is challenged by recent archeological discoveries that seem to confirm the historical value of the data provided by the Bible.

  • Issue Year: 2000
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 11-21
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Hungarian