Hello friends! The following is evidence of The 7 years of famine from The Holy Bible's Book of Genesis.
It seems there is a lot of evidence regarding this.
The Famine Stele (Rock carved mention of a 7 year famine) is opposed by some as not being related to The 7 year famine mentioned in Genesis, but there is more evidence that doesn't have any opposition, which is why i have not marked these discoveries with the word, "Opposition" (Credit given at the bottom of each article :D)
I have also left some comments made by a few readers on the following article, which i found interesting :)
Genesis 41
41 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Praise The Lord JESUS CHRIST!!!
Praise The Lord JESUS CHRIST!!!
The World Famine Verified
(Genesis 41:57)
(Genesis 41:57)
by Lujack Skylark
(St. Louis)
Joseph's global famine (Genesis 41:57) now has been verified! Spread the news! Educate the world to ancient world history.
Shang Dynasty emperor Cheng Tang some Chinese historians stated his reign began in 1747 B.C. There are others who believe his reign began in 1675 B.C. Chinese emperor Cheng Tang was recorded having a seven year famine verifying Joseph’s seven year famine in Genesis 41:30. This seven year famine occurred 1704-1697 B.C. Emperor Cheng Tang must have been reigning during this time in world history.
Shang Dynasty emperor Cheng Tang some Chinese historians stated his reign began in 1747 B.C. There are others who believe his reign began in 1675 B.C. Chinese emperor Cheng Tang was recorded having a seven year famine verifying Joseph’s seven year famine in Genesis 41:30. This seven year famine occurred 1704-1697 B.C. Emperor Cheng Tang must have been reigning during this time in world history.
Joseph lived for 110 years 1741-1631 B.C. (Genesis 50:26) Joseph age 30 (Genesis 41:40-46) became governor of Egypt in 1711 B.C. There was 7 years of great harvest and the second year of famine Joseph age 39 in 1702 B.C. met his father Jacob age 130 (Genesis 47:9) in Egypt. Global famine 1704-1697 B.C. (Genesis 41:57)
AFRICA
(1) Jacob brought the starving Hebrew people into Egypt settling near Biblical On (Genesis 41:45) Heliopolis, Egypt in 1702 B.C.
(2) Starving Hyksos Canaanite chieftain Sheshi lead his people into Avaris, Egypt trading their horses for bread (Genesis 47:13-17) in 1702 B.C. during the world famine. (Genesis 41:57)
(3) Some Minoans from Crete also settle in Egypt’s delta in 1700 B.C. as archaeologist have found Minoan artifacts in Egypt’s delta.
(4) The Kushite kingdom in eastern Africa arises in 1700 B.C. as Africans fleeing famine come together living in close knit community along the Nile river south of Egypt.
(5) Some Black tribes migrate from central Africa and settle in southern Africa fleeing from famine. These people left their prescience known. Archaeologist dated their artifacts to 1700 B.C.
EUROPE
(6) Other Minoans from the island of Crete migrate to mainland Greece in 1700 B.C. spreading their culture there.
(7) Nordic Bronze culture in northern Europe becomes established in 1700 B.C. where bronze weapons are produced used in hunting wild game.
(8) Starving Indo-Europeans from western Russia migrate to central Europe and produce bronze weapons to hunt wild game in 1700 B.C.
ASIA
(9) People from central Asia-Minor migrate to the coast and build defensive walls around Troy VI to keep the starving barbarians out of the city.
(10) Some starving Hittites move into western Assyria and adopt the Assyrian cuneiform style of writing in 1700 B.C.
(11) Starving Indo-European Sealanders invade Amorite Babylon king Abi-Eshuh 1710-1684 B.C. settling in southern Babylonia in 1700 B.C. Abi-Eshuh dams up the Tigris river trying to starve the Sealanders out.
(12) Starving Indo-European tribes invade Dravidan dominated India in 1700 B.C. Indo-Europeans destroy the Dravidan Mohenjo-Daro civilization in 1700 B.C.
(13) Starving Indo-European tribes invade western China in 1700 B.C. Chinese archaeologist discovered Indo-European mummies in western China. The Indo-Europeans introduced the Chinese to the horse driven chariot. NOTE: Indo-European Kassites were first to use the horse driven chariot attacking Babylon in the reign of Amorite Babylon king Samsu-iluna 1750-1711 B.C. in his 9th year in 1741 B.C. NOTE: Joseph age 30 was given the Egyptian pharaoh’s 2nd chariot in 1711 B.C. (Genesis 41:43)
(14) Chinese Shang Dynasty very early in the dynasty recorded a 7 year famine verifying Joseph’s account of the 7 year global famine in Egypt. (Genesis 41:57) It was Shang Dynasty emperor Cheng Tang in Chinese annals these record his seven year famine which matches Joseph’s famine. (Genesis 41:30)
NORTH AMERICA
(15) Eskimo activity takes place on Devon’s Island. Archaeologist found the oldest known early Palaeo-Eskimo portrait of a human as they discovered an ivory maskette dated at 1700 B.C.
(16) The American agricultural Indians establish the Poverty Point Mound Culture in Louisiana in 1700 B.C. building their first city in North America during the world famine.
(17) Olmecs migrate into the Yucatan Peninsula in 1700 B.C. Archaeologist state the Olmecs invented plumbing and the Olmecs were interested in water conservation at this time in world history.
SOUTH AMERICA
(18) South American Indians establish their kingdom in Bolivia during the global famine 1704-1697 B.C. according to archaeologist discoveries there at Tiahuanacu.
(19) The pygmy Woolly Mammoths on Wrangel island die out in 1700 B.C. do to climate change.
Joseph’s account of the world famine (Genesis 41:57) is supported by archaeology and the migrations of ancient people’s in 1700 B.C. Why not pass this information along to people who are interested in ancient history confirming Joseph’s 7 year famine? (Genesis 41:30)
Grant Jeffery wrote a book called “Signature of God” where he said the Yemen marble tablet inscription about people living in a Yemenite castle during the the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine (Genesis 41:30) confirm the Genesis account. He also wrote about the Yemen stone found in a rich woman’s tomb where this woman sends her servents to meet Joseph! Yemen artifacts + the Chinese 7 year famine prove the famine was worldwide. (Genesis 41:57)
Comments for The World Famine Verified (Genesis 41:57)
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Mar 08, 2013
The Seven Year Famine
by: George
Some people believed Joseph's 7 year famine was a myth, the Yemen marble tablet inscription and Yemen stone was a myth, and Shang Dynasty emperor Cheng Tang's 7 year famine was a myth.
Four so-called myths with 7 year famines ? Sometimes myths and legends turn into facts when we investigate the chronology.
The Yemen stone mentions Joseph by name and the Yemen marble tablet inscription has been dated around the time Joseph lived.
Cheng Tang introduced the horse driven white carriage into China at the same time Joseph rode in the pharaoh's second chariot.
The time factor matches so the myth and legend now becomes reality.
Mar 07, 2013
Joseph made Egypt Prosper
by: Jeffery
Joseph had acquired ALL the land for the Egyptian pharaoh except the priests land. (Genesis 47:20-22) Joseph was a shaved man when he lived in Egypt. (Genesis 41:14) Joseph lived in Egypt during the global famine. (Genesis 41:57)
(1) Egyptian king Senusret III acquired All his land from the Egyptian nomarch's.
(2) Senusret III's sister was princess Sit-Hathor-Yunet. Archaeologist discovered a golden razor in her tomb.
(3) Sit-Hathor-Yunet worshipped the Vulture goddess Nebkhet apparently during the famine.
(4) Senusret III's son Amenemhet III completed Bahr Yusef (Joseph's canal)
(5)Traditional Egyptian chronology for 12th dynasty is 1991-1782 B.C. Biblical chronology 1843-1628 B.C.
(6) Joseph lived 1741-1631 B.C. entered Egypt age 17 in 1724 B.C.
Senusret III 1724-1685 B.C.
Amenemhet III 1685-1640 B.C.
Amenemhet IV 1640-1631 B.C.
Queen Sobekneferu 1631-1628 B.C.
(7) Joseph rode in the second horse driven chariot in 1711 B.C. at age 30. (Genesis 41:43-46)
Were there horses in Senusret III's reign?
(8) Archaeologist at a fortress in Buhen, Nubia in 1959 A.D. found a horse skeleton under the ramparts of the fortress dated to Senusret III's reign. Horses were used in ceremonial purposes only, just like Chinese emperor Cheng Tang rode in a white horse driven carriage.
(9) Starving Hyksos Canaanites (Genesis 47:13-17) traded their horses for bread. Egyptian horsemen and Egyptians in chariots escorted Jacob's body into Canaan. (Genesis 50:7-11) Horses and chariots were again used for ceremonial purposes only while Joseph lived.
(10) The 12th dynasty would end and the 18th begin according to the Abydos Egyptian kings list. The next king to reign over Egypt after Amenemhet IV was Ahmose according to the list, but apparently a civil war broke out in Egypt after Joseph had died.
(11) Ahmose father and brother from Thebes started a war with Hyksos chieftain Apepi I of Avaris and were killed in battle. The war must have ended the life of Amenemhet IV shortly after Joseph had died and queen Sobekneferu's whose life mysteriously ended according to tradition may have also been killed in this war(theory) leaving Apepi I ruler at Avaris and Ahmose ruler at Thebes
at age 10.
(12) Apepi I then dies. Apepi II or Khamudi then arises to power and Thebean Ahmose now old enough drives the Hyksos Canaanites out of Egypt in the first Exodus.
Ahmose hated foreigners and likely blotted Joseph's name from all Egyptian records. A new dynasty came into play since before Moses was born the records of Joseph were destroyed for a pharaoh when Moses was born arose to power and knew not Joseph. (Exodus 1:8)
Strangely because Joseph had witnessed the third generation in Egypt (Genesis 50:23) and Moses was born in the fourth generation.
Mar 07, 2013
Mankind's Migrations in 1700 B.C.
by: Jane
Canaan's Hebrews, Canaan's Hyksos and some Minoans migrating to the Nile delta tributaries during the worldwide famine makes sense.
Central Africans establishing a Cushite civilization along the Nile river south of Egypt
while other central Africans migrate to South Africa makes sense.
Other Minoans from the overpopulated island of Crete migrated to mainland Greece, Europeans from Russia establishing a bronze culture in central Europe and the Nordic bronze culture arising in northern Europe also makes sense.
Troy VI in Asia-Minor, the Hittites arrival in Asia-Minor and some migrating to Assyria, the starving Indo-European tribes in Russia swinging eastward into southern Babylon, the Indus river valley and western China is quite interesting.
The Chinese Shang Dynasty arising to power at the beginning of a worldwide famine also makes sense.
What caused the migrations of these people?
Climate change as we discovered by the dying out of pygmy wooly mammoths on Wrangel Island around 1700 B.C.
The climate change would explain the arrival of Eskimos at Devon's island, the Poverty Point Mound Indians developing their culture around the Mississippi river and the Olmecs migration to the Yucatan Peninsular near fresh water streams during this same time frame.
The migration of South American Indians into Bolivia also is quite interesting.
I believe Genesis 41:30 and Genesis 41:57has been confirmed!
Mar 07, 2013
The Yemen Marble Tablet and the Yemen Stone
by: Dallas
Grant Jeffery's book "Signature of God" is truly remarkable where explorers uncovered a rich woman's tomb and the inscription set in stone told of this rich woman's servents meeting Joseph!
Then there is another Yemen artifact, the Yemen marble tablet inscription telling the story of people living in a castle during the seven years of plenty before the seven years of famine arrive.
Genesis seven year famine is not listed in Egyptian history for the Egyptians hated the Hebrew shepherds. (Genesis 46:34)
Joseph's name was struck from all Egyptian records before Moses was born for a pharaoh arose in Egypt who knew not Joseph. (Exodus 1:8)
Its great to see the Yemen marble tablet inscription and Yemen stone support the truth as we discover the historical accuracy of the Bible.
Mar 06, 2013
The Seven Year Famine Verification
by: Robert
Shang Dynasty emperor Cheng Tang article at the end the first note reveals he started the Shang Dynasty in 1766 B.C. and in the article it states his reign is in the 1600 century before Christ. The Bible appears to reveal when his reign truly began.
Cheng Tang's seven year famine where he rides a white carriage at the same time Joseph rides the pharaoh's second chariot shows how important horse driven vehicles were in history around 1700 B.C.
Mar 06, 2013
The World Famine Verified
by: Daniel
Wrangel island is north of Russia where the wolly mammoths died out do to climate change.
The migrations of people's during the worldwide famine is fascinating.
Some archaeologist have given the migrations of these people's from 1700-1500 B.C. window. The migrations at 1700 B.C. makes sense since people were migrating in search of food.
Source: http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/the-world-famine-verified-genesis-4157-updated.html
Historical Evidence of the Famine and Joseph (Genesis 41)
When Joseph is 30, after another two years of imprisonment, God brings about another major step in the plan He is working out. He gives Pharaoh a prophetic dream that no one is able to explain. Finally, the butler remembers the amazing events relating to his prison dream and Joseph's interpretation. Joseph is summoned by Pharaoh and tells him the meaning of his dream: Seven years of plenty were to be followed by seven years of famine.
Historical confirmation of this time of abundance succeeded by a long period of great food shortage is believed to exist. The following is from a book titled The Signature of God by Grant Jeffrey, 1996, pages 42-43:
Source: http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/the-world-famine-verified-genesis-4157-updated.html
Historical Evidence of the Famine and Joseph (Genesis 41)
When Joseph is 30, after another two years of imprisonment, God brings about another major step in the plan He is working out. He gives Pharaoh a prophetic dream that no one is able to explain. Finally, the butler remembers the amazing events relating to his prison dream and Joseph's interpretation. Joseph is summoned by Pharaoh and tells him the meaning of his dream: Seven years of plenty were to be followed by seven years of famine.
Historical confirmation of this time of abundance succeeded by a long period of great food shortage is believed to exist. The following is from a book titled The Signature of God by Grant Jeffrey, 1996, pages 42-43:
A fascinating inscription confirming the Bible's account of the "seven years of great plenty" followed by the "seven years of famine" (Gen. 41:29, 30) was discovered during the nineteenth century in southern Saudi Arabia. This inscription was found on a marble tablet in a ruined fortress on the seashore of Hadramaut in present-day Democratic Yemen. An examination of the writing suggests that it was written [in the patriarchal age].... This inscription was rendered in Arabic by Professor Schultens and was later translated into English by Rev. Charles Forster. This is his translation of this ancient inscription:
We dwelt at ease in this castle a long tract of time;
We dwelt at ease in this castle a long tract of time;
nor had we a desire but for the region-lord of the vineyard.
Hundreds of camels returned to us each day at evening,
their eye pleasant to behold in their resting-places.
And twice the number of our camels were our sheep,
in comeliness like white does, and also the slow moving kine.
We dwelt in this castle seven years of good life—how difficult for memory its description!
Then came years barren and burnt up: their eye pleasant to behold in their resting-places.
And twice the number of our camels were our sheep,
in comeliness like white does, and also the slow moving kine.
We dwelt in this castle seven years of good life—how difficult for memory its description!
when one evil year had passed away,
then came another to succeed it.
And we became as though we had never seen a glimpse of good.
They died and neither foot nor hoof remained.
Thus fares it with him who renders not thanks to God:
His footsteps fail not to be blotted out from his dwelling.
While remarkable, this should not surprise us too much. After all, the Bible is the Word of God—and it is true despite the arguments of skeptics. The following is also taken from The Signature of God, pages 44-45:
As the book of Genesis recorded, the seven-year famine was so severe in Egypt that Joseph, as chief administrator, had to be very careful in selling food from the precious grain reserves to satisfy the hunger of all the inhabitants of the surrounding countries. Joseph could not sell the grain reserves of Egypt for gold and silver to everyone because of the danger that the grain would run out. When the famine was at its peak, grain was much more valuable than gold or money.
Explorers during the last century discovered a number of other fascinating ancient inscriptions in the Middle East that provided confirmation of facts recorded in the sacred Scriptures.... The greatest treasure of all was a fascinating engraved stone tablet [found in the tomb of a rich Yemenite noblewoman of the patriarchal age] bearing her final inscription which confirmed the biblical account of Joseph's careful management of the remaining food reserves during the seven years of famine in Egypt.
A Yemenite Inscription About a Famine During the Time of Joseph
In thy name O God, the God of Hamyar,
I Tajah, the daughter of Dzu Shefar, sent my steward to Joseph,And he delaying to return to me, I sent my hand maid
With a measure of silver, to bring me back a measure of flour:
And not being able to procure it, I sent her with a measure of gold:
And not being able to procure it, I sent her with a measure of pearls:
And not being able to procure it, I commanded them to be ground:
And finding no profit in them, I am shut up here.
Whosoever may hear of it, let him commiserate me;
And should any woman adorn herself with an ornament
From my ornaments, may she die with no other than my death.
(reported in Niebuhr's Voyage en Arabie, PL. LIX. Translation by Rev. Charles Forster).
It should be noted here that the above translation appears quite credible, since Frieslander Carsten Niebuhr was a respected pioneer in archaeological exploration of the Middle East and in translating inscriptions found there, having accurately translated many from ancient Persepolis.
It should be noted here that the above translation appears quite credible, since Frieslander Carsten Niebuhr was a respected pioneer in archaeological exploration of the Middle East and in translating inscriptions found there, having accurately translated many from ancient Persepolis.
Joseph's main position was that of a prime minister and Imhotep appears to be the first who could boast of such a broad range of authority in ancient Egypt. There are records of many, many viziers throughout Egyptian history- but the first evidence which connects Imhotep with Joseph is an amazing inscription found carved on a large rock on the island of Sihiel just below the First Cataract of the Nile.
This inscription claims to be a copy of a document written by Djoser in the 18th year of his reign,- this copy being written over 1,000 years after the events it claims to be relating. It goes on to tell of a 7 year famine and 7 years of plenty. Let's look at a few passages from this inscription and compare them with the Biblical account, keeping in mind that this was written a millenium after the events it claims to be describing:
1. It begins with the great distress of the pharaoh: "I was in distress on the Great Throne..."
GEN 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled;
2. In the inscription, the pharaoh is troubled about a famine and asks Imhotep who the god of the Nile is, so he can approach him about the drought: "... I asked him who was the Chamberlain,...Imhotep, the son of Ptah... `What is the birthplace of the Nile? Who is the god there? Who is the god?'" Imhotep answers: "I need the guidance of Him who presides over the fowling net,..."
GEN 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. In the Egyptian text, Imhotep is termed "the son of Ptah", who was the Egyptian god known as the "creator" of everything else, including the other gods.
3. In the inscription, Imhotep answers the pharaoh about the god of the Nile and tells him where he lives. In the Bible, Joseph interprets the pharaohs dream. But, the next thing in the inscription tells that when the king slept, the Nile god Khnum, revealed himself to him in a dream and promised the Nile would pour forth her waters and the land would yield abundantly for 7 years, after a 7 year drought. This passage reflects the fact of a dream by the pharaoh of 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine, although reversed.
4. The inscription then goes on to record Djoser's promise to the Nile god, Khnum, in which the people were to be taxed 1/10 of everything, except for the priests of the "house of the god", who would be exempted.
GEN 47:26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part, except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh's.
So here we have an inscription which tells a story of pharaoh Djoser asking his vizier, Imhotep, to help him with the problem of a great 7 year famine. Imhotep tells him he must consult the god because the answer is not in him. Then, the pharaoh dreams a dream which foretells the event.
Next follow 7 years of plenty, which is reverse from the Biblical account.
The pharaoh levies a tax of 10% on all of the population except for the priesthood. The Biblical account tells of a 1/5, or 20% tax, with the priesthood exempt. All of the components of the Biblical account are present in this inscription, except that the story has been "Egyptianized" to fit their religious beliefs.
It is believed that this inscription was written during the 2nd century BC, by the priests of Khnum for the purpose of justifying their claim of some land privileges. Part of the inscription states the pharaoh dedicated some of the land and taxation to the god.
But, this isn't the only inscription with this "tale"- there is a similar inscription on the Isle of Philae, only this one has the priests of Isis stating that Djoser made the same gift to their god for the same purpose. Just as the story of the flood is found in almost every ancient culture but is twisted to fit their own purposes and gods, here we find the story of Joseph, only it is twisted to fit the needs of the priests of the various gods in substantiating their claims to certain land.
Where are all your sources? You give multiple dates for different people groups moving to Egypt to escape the famine at the specific time it apparently happened, yet no citations. Why not?
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