Kingdom and region · Northeastern Africa and the Nile Valley

Egypt

Also known as: Mizraim

Identification status

Broad region established; many individual route locations are debated

Place profile

Egypt is a place of refuge, danger, enslavement, power, and provision across Scripture. It frames the Joseph narrative, the Exodus, prophetic relationships with neighboring powers, and the flight of Jesus’ family in Matthew.

Biblical setting

Northeastern Africa and the Nile Valley

Present-day setting

The modern country of Egypt and the wider Nile region

Connected people

Abraham

Travels there during famine

Basis: Genesis 12

Open person

Joseph

Rises to authority and brings his family there

Basis: Genesis 37–50

Open person

Moses

Raised there and leads Israel out

Basis: Exodus 1–14

Open person

Jesus

Taken there as a child in Matthew’s account

Basis: Matthew 2

Open person

Major events

Joseph’s rise

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and administers preparations for famine.

Genesis 41

Israel settles in Egypt

Jacob’s household travels to Egypt during famine.

Genesis 46–47

The Exodus

Israel departs after the Passover events.

Exodus 12–14

Flight of Jesus’ family

Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt in Matthew’s narrative.

Matthew 2:13–23

Geography boundary: The precise route and identification of several Exodus locations remain debated; this profile does not assign certainty where the text and geography do not support it.