The extended period of Israelite servitude in ancient Egypt, often cited as four centuries, constitutes a significant and complex event in religious and historical narratives. The question of its occurrence and duration has been a subject of extensive debate among historians, archaeologists, and biblical scholars. Traditional accounts primarily draw from the Book of Exodus, which details the Israelites’ descent into Egypt, their subsequent population growth, and the eventual oppression they faced under a pharaoh who perceived them as a threat.
Understanding the causes involves examining a confluence of factors. Rapid population growth within a foreign land could have led to social and economic tensions, culminating in the implementation of forced labor policies to control the burgeoning Israelite community. Furthermore, changes in Egyptian dynastic rule and shifting political landscapes may have prompted new pharaohs to view the Israelites with suspicion and impose increasingly harsh measures. The potential for internal uprisings and the strategic importance of forced labor in large-scale construction projects might have further incentivized the enslavement.
