Expert: Scott Talbot - 10/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: Did any Israelites die while in captivity in Egypt before the Exodus led by Moses. I know Joseph died and he wanted his bones taken away with the Israelites when they left Egypt.

ANSWER: Hi Vi,

It's nice to hear from you.

Exodus 12:40 tells us that the Israelites were captives in Egypt for 430 years. So yes, I'm certain many Israelites died in Egypt during this time.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How do you explain chapter 14:11 in Exodus?

Answer
The Israelites were using sarcasm. They were beginning to second-guess Moses' leadership and his reasons for leading them out of Egypt. They thought they were all going to die in the wilderness. They sarcastically asked, "Did you lead us out into the wilderness to die simply because there would be more room to bury us, rather than leaving us to suffer and die in Egypt?"

I would in no way take this verse to indicate that no one (including Egyptians) ever died in Egypt. Perhpas there were no graves in Egypt. Perhaps the dead bodies were carried away to a distant place for whatever reason. This is not to say people didn't die.

Scott