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Egypt
Egypt
Ancient Civilizations
By: Mrs. Sanders
Historical Overview
Ancient Egypt was the
birthplace of one of the
World’s greatest civilizations.
It was far more advanced
than European tribes of the
same time period, who were
still in the Stone Age.
Located in the northeast
corner of Africa, Egypt grew
to be an important
civilization for over three
hundred years because of
the Nile River.
Egypt was originally divided
into two kingdoms: Upper
Egypt and Lower Egypt.
Pharaoh
Pharaoh was believed by
the Egyptians to be the
supreme ruler chosen by
the gods to lead his
people. They believed
that when a man
became a pharaoh, he
also became a god. To
keep the bloodline of the
gods pure, pharaohs
often married their
sisters, mothers, and
cousins.
A Biblical Overview of Egypt
• Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, was the favorite child. His father made
him a coat of many colors. His brothers were jealous of him. They were
going to kill him, but sold him as a slave. He found favor with the
Pharaoh Potiphar. He interpreted dreams for the Pharaoh. Joseph’s
brothers came to Egypt to buy grain where they ran into Joseph. They
did not recognize him. He tested them and revealed his identity. He
forgave them for sending him away. He said it was God who sent him to
Egypt to save people’s lives.
• When a new Pharaoh ruled Egypt, he was worried that the Israelites
would rise up against him. He decided that every baby boy should be
thrown into the Nile River. One woman was determined to save her son.
She kept the baby boy hidden for three months, then she put him in a
basket she had made and let him float down the river. The Pharaoh’s
daughter found the baby boy and called him Moses, which means
“pulled out or the water”.
• Moses was commanded by God to ask the Pharaoh to release the people
of Egypt. He obeyed God’s command and asked Pharaoh to let his
people go. God knew that Pharaoh would deny the command and he
did. God sent ten plagues to Egypt to curse the land.
Major Time Periods of Egypt