Ancient Israel and Ancient Egypt

This Element explores the relationship between ancient Egypt and the southern Levant, with a particular focus on Ancient Israel. Given the central role of Egypt in biblical literature - most notably in traditions such as the Exodus - it addresses the historical and cultural foundations underlying this prominence in Israelite memory. An approach grounded in the analysis of material remains, alongside historical records, allows for a more nuanced understanding of the contexts in which these traditions emerged and were transmitted. Integrating archaeological and textual evidence, the study examines Egyptian-Levantine entanglements from the second millennium to the first half of the first millennium BCE, tracing shifts from imperial dominance to indirect cultural exchange. It investigates how interaction with Egypt shaped the political, economic, and visual landscape of the southern Levant, with particular attention to local agency.