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Jonathan Tracey
Kimberly Lark
History 134
May 16, 2015
Jewish Slavery in Egypt
There is no significant evidence to provide proof the enslavement of the Israelites
actually took place in Egypt. The primary pieces of evidence are of biblical accounts. The
biblical text provides reasoning for enslavement. Texts also provides the events leading the
Israelites to the promise land. However, common practices of the time give reason for doubt.
Today, there are skeptics who have doubts of this occurrence and there are others who celebrate
Passover.
According to Israel law of the time. Lv 25: 461 would contradict the book of Exodus. If
laws were followed during this period slave could only maintain that title temporarily. Hebrews
for example, could only be enslaved a maximum of six years and must be treated as a paid
worker. Common practice of slavery of the time was due to the persons or family debt owed.
Disobedience from the law could still occur, thus not providing enough significant evidence to
disprove the enslavement of Israelites.
The Book of Exodus describes the period of enslavement of the Israelites to the crossing of the
desert to Canaan, the promise land. With the death of the old pharaoh, the new pharaoh and
counsel placed a burden upon the Hebrews. Heavy taxation were put in place and the children
1 Law States You may have them as slaves, but none of you shall exercise absolute power over your
breathern.

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were force into manual labor constructing monuments along other tasks. The pharaoh hoped to
ensure limited numbers of the people. In addition he put in place an order to kill every male child
of the Hebrews by throwing them in the Nile. Indications of the pharaohs intentions are in the
Book of Exodus (1:8-11).2 The tyranny ended when God unleashed ten plagues on the Egyptian
people and did not place wrath among the Jew with lambs blood marked above the door. Moses
led the Jews to the promise land upon the pharaohs approval.
There is no straight answer to indicate if this occurred or did not. There are writing to support
and refute the existence of slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover is still celebrated today. There are
also people who have doubt this event did occur with reason. There is no way it can be
determined until there are physical remains.

2 A new king arose over Egypt, who had not known Joseph. He said to his people, "Look, this people of
the sons of Israel is bigger and more numerous than we are. We must have a plan to deal with them, lest
they grow even more numerous. If there should be a war, they might join our enemies and fight against
us and go up from the land." So they set taskmasters over them, to afflict them with burdensome labor.

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Bibliography
Carasik, Michael. "Jewish Ideas Daily Daily Features Were the Israelites Enslaved in
Egypt?" Jewish Ideas Daily Daily Features Were the Israelites Enslaved in Egypt? N.p., n.d.
Web. 16 May 2015.
Finkelstein, Louis, W. D. Davies, John Sturdy, William Horbury, and Steven T. Katz. The
Cambridge History of Judaism. N.p.: n.p., 1989. Print.
The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: KTAV, 1964. Print.
Vaux, Roland De. "The Existence of Slavery in Isreal." Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions.
Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub., 1997. N. pag. Print.