Mordochai,
I am curious about your research regarding the chronology of the exodus from Egypt. The entrance into K'naan would have taken place in 1436 BCE. This would seem to put it very late in the reign of Thutmose III or during the reign of Amenhotep II (based on high chronology). Both of these kings are recognized as having various degrees of influence in K'naan during their reigns.
How does this fit with what the Tanach says about the early period of the Shoftim? Séfer Shoftim doesn't seem to indicate heavy Egyptian influence in K'naan during this centuries long period (this is not necessarily significant, since Séfer Shoftim is not a straight up history book, and skips/summarizes large chunks of years and decades), even though it would cover reigns of Pharaohs accepted to have had significant influence in K'naan, such as Ramesses II (whose campaigns would've taken place during the times of some significant judges).
Is there anything in the Tanach, Talmud, etc. which speak of or allude to any encounters with Egypt during the period of the Judges? It would seem odd for the Egyptians to campaign in K'naan and leave Bnei Yisraél alone. Might the kings of Egypt at that point have already "cut their losses" with the Israelites, and ignored them while campaigning in K'naan? Or is there a chance that Israel went from Egyptian dominance in Egypt to Egyptian dominance in K'naan? What do you think (I know there is a difference between thinking and knowing)? Sorry, I'm throwing a lot of questions at you, but I think these are questions you have perhaps thought/researched before.
On a side note, it is interesting to me that this chronology (which, I think, has merit) would seem to put the Mernaptah stele with the oldest discovered reference to Israel during/between the times of Gid'on and his son Avimelech.
Thanks,
Netanel
I am curious about your research regarding the chronology of the exodus from Egypt. The entrance into K'naan would have taken place in 1436 BCE. This would seem to put it very late in the reign of Thutmose III or during the reign of Amenhotep II (based on high chronology). Both of these kings are recognized as having various degrees of influence in K'naan during their reigns.
How does this fit with what the Tanach says about the early period of the Shoftim? Séfer Shoftim doesn't seem to indicate heavy Egyptian influence in K'naan during this centuries long period (this is not necessarily significant, since Séfer Shoftim is not a straight up history book, and skips/summarizes large chunks of years and decades), even though it would cover reigns of Pharaohs accepted to have had significant influence in K'naan, such as Ramesses II (whose campaigns would've taken place during the times of some significant judges).
Is there anything in the Tanach, Talmud, etc. which speak of or allude to any encounters with Egypt during the period of the Judges? It would seem odd for the Egyptians to campaign in K'naan and leave Bnei Yisraél alone. Might the kings of Egypt at that point have already "cut their losses" with the Israelites, and ignored them while campaigning in K'naan? Or is there a chance that Israel went from Egyptian dominance in Egypt to Egyptian dominance in K'naan? What do you think (I know there is a difference between thinking and knowing)? Sorry, I'm throwing a lot of questions at you, but I think these are questions you have perhaps thought/researched before.
On a side note, it is interesting to me that this chronology (which, I think, has merit) would seem to put the Mernaptah stele with the oldest discovered reference to Israel during/between the times of Gid'on and his son Avimelech.
Thanks,
Netanel
