- Find out more about Pithom and Raamses (the cities that were built by the Israelites in Exodus 1)
- Get some information about the Egyptian god "On" (Genesis 41: 45 says that Joseph married the daughter of a priest of "On." The priest was named Poti-Pherah, was that related to the Potiphar of Genesis 39?
- Look up the meaning of the names Shiprah and Puah (From Exodus 1:15).
- Look up where Midian was located
- Find out some information about the verses in Acts 7:25 that reference the murder by Moses.
- Find out the meaning of the word Prince in Exodus 2:14
- Review commentary about Exodus 3:5
- Review commentary about Exodus 3:8, specifically milk and honey
- How long is the walk from Egypt to Sinai? God keeps mentioning a three day journey into the wilderness (Exodus 3:18)
So, I will collect information here regarding my questions.
Pithom and Raamses.
According to http://www.thebible.net/modules.php?name=WC&op=read&vol=6&num=24 it seems that they unearthed Pithom and Raamses in the late 1800s. One interesting fact is that the lower bricks used for the city were made of bricks made with straw, and the higher bricks were made with roots and stubble. This would seem to show the validity of Exodus 5:7.
There doesnt seem to be too much indicating the exact location of these cities. Maybe I will find more later.
Egyptian god "On"
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown have the following note (as seen on http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=7&contentID=1922&commInfo=6&topic=Genesis&ar=Gen_41_45)
On--called Aven ( Eze 30:17 ) and also Beth-shemesh ( Jer 43:13 ). In looking at this profusion of honors heaped suddenly upon Joseph, it cannot be doubted that he would humbly yet thankfully acknowledge the hand of a special Providence in conducting him through all his checkered course to almost royal power; and we, who know more than Joseph did, cannot only see that his advancement was subservient to the most important purposes relative to the Church of God, but learn the great lesson that a Providence directs the minutest events of human life.
It sounds like "On" may have also been know as Heliopolis (Sun Temple). Of the Heliopolis, Atum was the chief god. Atum was also known as the creator god.
Shiprah and Pu'ah
According to http://www.bible-name.com/Show-Biblical-Hebrew-Name-en555.htm, Shiprah means beauty and grace. According to http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0018_0_18356.html, Puah means girl.
According to the Talmud Sotah 11b, it appears that some of the Rabbis believe that Shiprah was Moses' mother and that Puah was Moses' sister.
Where was Midian
Not sure I can get too much info on this. Theories abound. Some seem to think that it couldnt have been in the Saudi Arabia area and would have had to be in Africa. Others indicate a belief that Midian was a group of travelers that were nomadic. Others note that Midian was an offspring of Abraham, and they would have known of the one true God, and therefore God brought Moses to be with family as it were.
Acts 7:25 commentary
There is something in this verse that at first glance indicates that Moses knew he would be a tool in the hand of God. JFB seems to indicate that he might have seen the murder of the Egyptian as an opportunity to have the Israelites rally and follow him. Honestly, I dont see that specifically in the passage. Verse 11 notes that he looked this way and that before killing the Egyptian. This would seem to show he had wanted to do it in private.
Exodus 2:14 - commentary and word prince
Why would someone need to be over you to give appropriate reproof? Not sure. Prince seems to be able to be used as ruler, governor, taskmaster, etc.
Exodus 3:5
JFB seems to have an interesting take on it. http://bible.cc/exodus/3-5.htm
It is not so much like our western thought of reverence, but the eastern thought of realization of personal defilement.
5. put off thy shoes-The direction was in conformity with a usage which was well known to Moses, for the Egyptian priests observed it in their temples, and it is observed in all Eastern countries where the people take off their shoes or sandals, as we do our hats. But the Eastern idea is not precisely the same as the Western. With us, the removal of the hat is an expression of reverence for the place we enter, or rather of Him who is worshipped there. With them the removal of the shoes is a confession of personal defilement and conscious unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.
Exodus 3:8
Incidently this is the first use of this phrase in the Bible. From what I gather, it is indicitive of the fact that the land was good for agraculture and for raising animals. It was to show that the land would be abundant for them.
Distance from Egypt to Sinai
It would help to know which mountain was Sinai or Horeb. I was wondering due to God's repetition of a three day journey into the wilderness.
Misc thoughts:
- Exodus 2:2 notes that Moses was hidden by his mother for three months. That would seem to suggest that he would have been circumcised (on the 8th day). He would have been set apart from his Egyptian family by the circumcision. This would have happened to him, but he failed to circumcise his own son, and his wife did it to save him in Exodus 4:24.
- I hadn't realized or paid attention enough to notice that God fully walks Moses through what he is going to do during his and Aaron's confrontation with Pharaoh. God tells him what will happen during the encounter at the burning bush.
- There is a famine of the bread of life. Are we being God's storehouses and giving out the good news to the nations?
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