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**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

In examining ancient historical records, one must recognize that the authors often prioritized certain information while omitting other details, influenced by their own biases and personal opinions. In some instances, they even fabricated stories to promote national pride. These factors can complicate our understanding of ancient events and should encourage us to approach such records with caution. This is particularly true when attempting to comprehend Biblical narratives in light of ancient history as presented by modern historians.

For example, consider the so-called “Hyksos Period.” Generally, the Hyksos are believed to be a foreign people who gained control of Egypt. Many scholars place Joseph’s entry into Egypt, as well as the arrival of his father Jacob and their family, during the reign of the Hyksos rulers. This assumption is based on the idea that a foreign ruler would be more likely to elevate the non-Egyptian Joseph to a high-ranking position. However, the Bible provides no evidence supporting this theory.

If Joseph had been promoted during a time of foreign rule in Egypt, it would be reasonable to expect the presence of a predominantly foreign court. Yet, the Bible indicates that the Egyptian court official Potiphar was an Egyptian and that Joseph was surrounded by native Egyptians who respected their own customs. Thus, there is no solid foundation for connecting Joseph’s story with a period of foreign rule. Consequently, we must explore other sources to determine the Hyksos’ role in Egyptian history.

The first-century Jewish historian Josephus is the source of the name “Hyksos.” In his work “Against Apion,” Josephus quotes from the account of Egyptian historian Manetho, which directly links the Hyksos with the Israelites. However, Josephus disputes many details of this account, favoring the interpretation of “Hyksos” as “Captive Shepherds” rather than “Shepherd Kings.” According to Manetho’s account, the Hyksos conquered Egypt without a battle and later destroyed cities and temples.

Modern historians challenge Josephus’ association of the Hyksos with the Israelites, but still maintain the idea of a “Hyksos” conquest. They base this assumption on the absence of information from ancient Egyptian sources for the period supposedly spanning the “Thirteenth to the Seventeenth Dynasties.” Consequently, they speculate that the “Fifteenth and Sixteenth Dynasties” represent a period of foreign rule by the Hyksos.

The nature of the Hyksos’ conquest remains a subject of debate. Some archaeologists describe it as a swift invasion by northern hordes, while others propose a gradual infiltration of migrating nomads. Recent studies suggest that the Hyksos rulers were wandering groups of Semites who engaged in trade and other peaceful activities. However, this view struggles to explain how such groups could have gained control of Egypt.

As seen, there is considerable confusion surrounding ancient Egyptian history and the role of the Hyksos. It may be that Manetho’s account, as quoted by Josephus, is a distorted Egyptian tradition. The recording of history in Egypt and other Near Eastern lands was closely tied to the priesthood, who often crafted propagandistic explanations to account for significant events. In this case, Manetho’s account could be a misrepresentation of the Israelites’ presence in Egypt, handed down through generations of Egyptians to explain the calamities that befell their nation.

If this is true, the Hyksos might be none other than the Israelites themselves, albeit depicted in a distorted manner. The connection between the two groups remains speculative, but it serves as a reminder to approach ancient historical records with caution and skepticism.

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE HYKSOS PERIOD

The Hyksos Period, an era in Egyptian history, is often associated with Joseph’s arrival in Egypt and his family’s subsequent settlement there. However, this period remains obscure and not well-understood. Scholars have differing opinions on the extent and duration of the Hyksos rule, with some attributing it to the Thirteenth through Seventeenth Dynasties for 200 years, while others limit it to the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Dynasties for a century or a century and a half. The term “Hyksos” has been interpreted in various ways, such as “Shepherd Kings” or “Rulers of Foreign Countries,” and their origin remains a subject of debate among scholars.

The nature of the Hyksos’ conquest of Egypt is also a matter of speculation. Some researchers envision it as an invasion by northern forces that swept through Palestine and Egypt, while others see it as a gradual infiltration of nomads or semi-nomads who took control of the country incrementally or through a swift coup d’état. Recent scholarship suggests that the Hyksos rulers were not a conquering horde of Asiatics, but rather wandering Semitic groups that had long come to Egypt for trade and peaceful purposes. However, this theory does not fully explain how these wandering groups could have taken control of Egypt.

Historical accounts of the Hyksos are scarce and often unreliable. Ancient writer Manetho’s account, cited by Josephus in his work Against Apion, is one such example. Josephus claims that Manetho’s account directly links the Hyksos with the Israelites, but he disputes many of the details in the narrative. Manetho’s account, if accurately preserved by Josephus, might represent a distorted tradition that developed from earlier Egyptian attempts to rationalize the events that took place during the Israelite sojourn in Egypt.

The Hyksos period has been considered by some scholars as potentially aligning with the Israelite Exodus, but chronology and other factors render this hypothesis untenable. The divine providence behind Joseph’s rise to power and the benefits it brought to Israel negate the need for an alternative explanation involving friendly “Shepherd Kings.”

The historical records of Egypt were closely tied to the priesthood and often served propagandistic purposes. It is possible that Manetho’s account, which emerged more than a thousand years after the Exodus, represents the distorted traditions passed down by successive generations of Egyptians to explain the biblical account of Israel in Egypt. This would be in line with the tendency for historical narratives in the region to be manipulated in order to present the oppressors as the oppressed and the innocent victims as dangerous aggressors.

Some Additional Details and Context

The Hyksos were a group of people who ruled parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (circa 1650-1550 BCE). They are believed to have originated from the Near East, possibly Canaan or Syria, and established their capital at Avaris in the Nile Delta. Their rule is generally associated with the 15th and 16th dynasties of Egypt.

The Hyksos introduced new technologies, such as the horse-drawn chariot and the composite bow, which played significant roles in warfare and helped shape Egypt’s military tactics in later periods. They also brought with them new cultural elements, including religious practices and artistic styles that influenced Egyptian art and architecture.

The end of the Hyksos rule came when the Theban ruler Ahmose I, the founder of the 18th dynasty, drove them out of Egypt and reunited the country, ushering in the New Kingdom period.

As for current findings, archaeological excavations and studies are ongoing, with new discoveries and insights emerging regularly. At present, there are no recent findings available in my research.

EVIDENCE THAT THE HYKSOS INTRODUCE CHARIOTS INTO EGYPT

There is substantial evidence to suggest that the Hyksos, a group of foreign rulers who controlled parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (circa 1650-1550 BCE), introduced the chariot to the region. Some of the key evidence includes:

Archaeological finds: Excavations at the ancient Hyksos capital of Avaris (modern-day Tell el-Dab’a) in the Nile Delta have uncovered numerous chariot parts, horse bones, and related equipment. These finds date back to the time of the Hyksos’ rule in Egypt, which predates the appearance of chariots in other parts of Egypt.
Art and inscriptions: Several wall reliefs, inscriptions, and artworks from the Hyksos period depict chariots being used in warfare, suggesting that the chariot was an integral part of their military strategy. This is in contrast to earlier Egyptian art, where chariots were largely absent.
Technological diffusion: The design and construction of the Hyksos chariots are similar to those found in the Near East, particularly in the regions of Canaan and Mesopotamia. This suggests that the Hyksos brought the chariot technology to Egypt from their homeland in the Levant.
Historical records: Ancient texts and documents such as the Turin King List, the writings of Egyptian historian Manetho, and the biblical narrative of the Hyksos invasion all mention the Hyksos using chariots in their conquests and rule over Egypt.
Chronological evidence: The widespread use of chariots in Egypt coincides with the arrival and rule of the Hyksos. Prior to their arrival, there is little to no evidence of chariots being used in Egypt. After their expulsion, the native Egyptian rulers of the New Kingdom (circa 1550-1077 BCE) continued to use chariots in their military campaigns, indicating that the technology was likely adopted from the Hyksos.

Here are some sources that provide more information and support the evidence that the Hyksos introduced the chariot to Egypt:

Bietak, M. (1996). Avaris: The Capital of the Hyksos: Recent Excavations at Tell el-Dab’a. London: British Museum Press.

This publication provides details on the archaeological excavations at Tell el-Dab’a (ancient Avaris), including the findings of chariot parts, horse bones, and related equipment.

Drews, R. (1993). The End of the Bronze Age: Changes in Warfare and the Catastrophe ca. 1200 B.C. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

This book discusses the role of the chariot in warfare during the Bronze Age and includes a section on the Hyksos’ introduction of chariots to Egypt.

Montet, P. (1968). Eternal Egypt. Translated by D. Immanuel. New York: New American Library.

This book provides an overview of Egyptian history, including a discussion of the Hyksos period and the introduction of chariots.

Redford, D. B. (1992). Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

This book discusses the connections between Egypt, Canaan, and Israel during ancient times, with a focus on the diffusion of chariot technology.

Shaw, I. (Ed.). (2000). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

This comprehensive history of ancient Egypt covers the Hyksos period and the introduction of chariots to Egypt.

Van Seters, J. (1966). The Hyksos: A New Investigation. New Haven: Yale University Press.

This book provides an in-depth examination of the Hyksos, their origins, rule in Egypt, and their eventual expulsion, as well as the introduction of chariots to Egypt.

These sources should provide a solid foundation for your research into the Hyksos’ introduction of chariots to Egypt. Remember that new discoveries and ongoing research may lead to updated interpretations and findings.