-web (original) (raw)

The Date of the Exodus: Why Does It Matter (Part 2)

Reason and Revelation, 2024

This is part two of a two-part article focusing on determining the Date of Exodus based primarily on internal scriptural evidence. An upcoming two-part article will address extra-biblical/archaeological evidence for the Date of the Exodus. Many scholars argue that the Exodus described in the Bible never occurred. Among those who accept its historicity, there is a division regarding its dating: the "early" date (1447/1446 B.C.) versus the "late" date (ca. 1250 B.C.). A straightforward assessment of the textual evidence in Scripture leads to the early date of the Exodus. However, some scholars argue that the archaeological evidence does not support this early date. Instead, they assert that the evidence supports a late date, leading them to reinterpret key biblical passages accordingly. Upon re-examining the available evidence, it becomes evident that the early date for the Exodus remains not only tenable but also preferable. When history and archaeology are properly analyzed in light of the biblical text, they can significantly enhance our faith in the reliability of Scripture, affirming its historical and factual foundations.

The Date of the Exodus-Conquest is Still an Open Question

In my 2007 article, 1 I sought to simply set forth two lines of evidenceone biblical and the other archaeological-for considering the possibility of a late-date exodus-conquest. Young and Wood appear to believe that my short article was a response to Wood's article of 2006, 2 based on their notations of my failure to comprehensively respond to it. My article, however, had been accepted for publication prior to the appearance of Wood's 2006 article, and was therefore not written as a response to it. In any case, Young and Wood's critical response to my article has provided me with an opportunity to elaborate further on these matters. Since I have been invited to respond to Young and Wood's article rather than to write a full-fledged one of my own, I will limit my treatment to the topics outlined in their paper.

The Historicity of the Exodus (1)

The absence of indisputable direct evidence for the Exodus has led many scholars to deny its historicity. However, although the archaeological record represents an undeniable challenge to traditional interpretations of the Biblical record, there is sufficient evidence to convince even skeptical archaeologists that the Scriptural account describes a genuine historical exodus event.

The Historicity of the Exodus (2)

The absence of indisputable direct evidence for the Exodus has led many scholars to deny its historicity. However, although the archaeological record represents an undeniable challenge to traditional interpretations of the Biblical record, there is sufficient evidence to convince even skeptical archaeologists that the Scriptural account describes a genuine historical exodus event.