Changes

=== The Mass Puericide ===

=== The Mass Puericide ===

Sesostris III probably began the oppression after observing the phenomenal growth rate of the Hebrew population. Tellingly, the Bible says that the Pharaoh was worried that the [[Israelite]]s might ally themselves to Egypt's enemies in war.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=1|verses=7-10}}</ref> (This would be entirely consistent with the Exodus taking place toward the end of the Twelfth or Thirteenth Dynasty and the beginning of the Hyksos period.)

Sesostris III probably began the oppression after observing the phenomenal growth rate of the Hebrew population. Tellingly, the Bible says that the Pharaoh was worried that the [[Israelite]]s might ally themselves with Egypt's enemies in war.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=1|verses=7-10}}</ref> (This would be entirely consistent with the Exodus taking place toward the end of the Twelfth or Thirteenth Dynasty and the beginning of the Hyksos period.)

The [[Bible]] further names two cities that the Israelites built for the Egyptians: [[Pithom]] and [[Ramesses]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=1|verses=11}}</ref> Some have speculated from these names that the Pharaoh of the Exodus was a Ramesside king, usually [[Ramesses II]]. But the notion that the city of Ramesses is actually named for a king named Ramesses is without even secular historical warrant.

The [[Bible]] further names two cities that the Israelites built for the Egyptians: [[Pithom]] and [[Ramesses]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=1|verses=11}}</ref> Some have speculated from these names that the Pharaoh of the Exodus was a Ramesside king, usually [[Ramesses II]]. But the notion that the city of Ramesses is actually named for a king named Ramesses is without even secular historical warrant.

== Physical evidence of the Exodus ==

== Physical evidence of the Exodus ==

No Egyptian texts of any kind, either Royal inscriptions, which may be interpreted as propagandistic, though generally do record the general theme of events, mention any events link conclusivly to the Exodus story. More significantly, no administrative documents point to it either, which are unconcerned with issues of a propaganda, being intended as purely internal documents for administrative purposes. No mention on either is made of a large amount of labourers being lost, nor of military manpower or equipment loss in subsequent pursuit.

No Egyptian texts of any kind, either Royal inscriptions, which may be interpreted as propagandistic, though they generally do record the general theme of events, mention any events that link conclusively to the Exodus story. More significantly, no administrative documents point to it either, which are unconcerned with issues of a propaganda, being intended as purely internal documents for administrative purposes. No mention on either is made of a large amount of labourers being lost, nor of military manpower or equipment loss in subsequent pursuit.

In 2003, amateur diver Peter Elmer claimed to have discovered coral-encrusted chariot wheels and other chariot parts submerged in the Gulf of Aqaba, the eastern offshoot of the great body of water called the Red Sea today.<ref name=Kovacs/>. This is not, however, conclusive, as no physical artefacts from this alleged find have ever been seen by professional archaeologists, nor recovered for professional analysis, recording and conservation. Photographs presented as evidence are inconclusive, and appear to show some coral formations common in the Gulf of Aqaba area and a modern metallic object. No other evidence has been presented. In addition, given the claim that these events occurred during the 13th Dynasty, the Egyptian army would not be deploying chariots, which do not appear in Egypt until the Hyksos period, and are not deployed by Egyptian forces until the end of that period. The amateur himself claims to have spoken to an SCA official who stated the parts to be 18th Dynasty, from the New Kingdom.

In 2003, amateur diver Peter Elmer claimed to have discovered coral-encrusted chariot wheels and other chariot parts submerged in the Gulf of Aqaba, the eastern offshoot of the great body of water called the Red Sea today.<ref name=Kovacs/>. This is not, however, conclusive, as no physical artefacts from this alleged find have ever been seen by professional archaeologists, nor recovered for professional analysis, recording and conservation. Photographs presented as evidence are inconclusive, and appear to show some coral formations common in the Gulf of Aqaba area and a modern metallic object. No other evidence has been presented. In addition, given the claim that these events occurred during the 13th Dynasty, the Egyptian army would not be deploying chariots, which do not appear in Egypt until the Hyksos period, and are not deployed by Egyptian forces until the end of that period. The amateur himself claims to have spoken to an SCA official who stated the parts to be 18th Dynasty, from the New Kingdom.

Many Egyptologists dispute that an Exodus, as described in the Biblical text, actually occurred. Various theories regard it either as an exaggerated folktale, remembering the colonial struggle between the Egyptians and the Mittanians, and later the Hittites, for control of Syria-Palestine, and the captives both sides took from the local population, or perhaps of the Hyksos, a West Semitic people who entered Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period, and forcibly expelled by Ahmose I at the founding of the New Kingdom.

Many Egyptologists dispute that an Exodus, as described in the Biblical text, actually occurred. Various theories regard it either as an exaggerated folktale, remembering the colonial struggle between the Egyptians and the Mittanians, and later the Hittites, for control of Syria-Palestine, and the captives both sides took from the local population, or perhaps of the Hyksos, a West Semitic people who entered Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period, and forcibly expelled by Ahmose I at the founding of the New Kingdom.

the reasoning for such views is the lack of archaeological and textual evidence for the use of foreign labour on the truly massive scale depicted in the Biblical text, and the lack of evidence concerning it's sudden departure and ensuring conflict on the Red Sea, as well as the fantastical events that ensured.  

the reasoning for such views is the lack of archaeological and textual evidence for the use of foreign labour on the truly massive scale depicted in the Biblical text, and the lack of evidence concerning it's sudden departure and ensuring conflict on the Red Sea, as well as the fantastical events that ensued.  

=== Textual Evidence ===

=== Textual Evidence ===

No administrative papyri refer to an exodus of labourers, nor mentions seeking replacements. Whilst royal inscriptions may overlook such an embarrassment, administrative papyri had no such restrictions.

No administrative papyri refer to an exodus of labourers, nor mentions seeking replacements. Whilst royal inscriptions may overlook such an embarrassment, administrative papyri had no such restrictions.

The loss of an army and equipment is likewise not mentioned, nor attempts to secure replacement labour and equipment. Sucha  large loss would need large scale efforts to import and harvest timber and metal for replacement weapons, and recruitment of manpower resources to replace those killed.  

The loss of an army and equipment is likewise not mentioned, nor attempts to secure replacement labour and equipment. Such a large loss would need large scale efforts to import and harvest timber and metal for replacement weapons, and recruitment of manpower resources to replace those killed.  

=== Archaeological Record ===

=== Archaeological Record ===

=== Chronological Issues ===

=== Chronological Issues ===

Evidence of monotheistic belief in the Levant does not surface until the equivalent of the Egyptian Third Intermediate Period, which again does not correspond with the belief that the exodus of abrahamic people from Egypt took place prior to this.

Evidence of monotheistic belief in the Levant does not surface until the equivalent of the Egyptian Third Intermediate Period, which again does not correspond with the belief that the exodus of the abrahamic people from Egypt took place prior to this.

In addition the theories postulating a date prior to the New Kingdom for the exodus still claim that the Egyptian army deployed chariots, which the Egyptians did not use until the end of the Second Intermediate Period.

In addition the theories postulating a date prior to the New Kingdom for the exodus still claim that the Egyptian army deployed chariots, which the Egyptians did not use until the end of the Second Intermediate Period.