Expert: Mel and Guyna Horne - 9/16/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I'm writing a story about Joseph and his coloured coat and need answers to the following questions if possible...

How old were his older brothers, and Benjamin when Joseph was sold?

How long would it have taken to get to Egypt?

How old was Joseph when the 7-yrs bumper crops started?

I have looked in parts of the Bible myself and cannot find any answers so I presume there isn't any.  If there is please help me.

Cheers
Jess
Answer -
Hi Jess,

We will be happy to help you with your questions providing this isn't a homework assignment and you are expecting us to do the work for you.

Not trying to insult you, but we do get questions from students that would rather have us do their homework for them. bg

Thanks,
Guyna and Mel

I am a 23-year-old woman with a keen interest on script-writing and on this story, and would like to get my fact as right as possible before starting the script.

Answer
Hi Jess,

 If we had this information readily available we would be happy to share it with you. We could guess based on what is known but it would still be a guess.

 Something that would probably be very helpful to your project is the "Wall Chart of World History" originally published in 1890. It is in an oversize book form which folds out as a 16 feet long chart. It has been updated through 1997 and last reprinted by Barnes and Noble in 1999.  It shows Joseph's family tree in both directions from him on a dated grid that could give you approximate dates.
 Since it also show all the major kingdoms of the world and some major events and significant people in history, all in a parallel chart form, it may give you some more ideas for your story.
 A good library should have one available and they are available on line both new and used.

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This colorful chart is extremely helpful in visually illustrating exactly how the events of the Bible relate to the timeline of events of secular world history.

"The Wall Chart is based on an original Victorian wall chart published in 1890. It follows the entire history of mankind and shows what was happening concurrently right around the world with illustrations of many major events, discoveries and prominent people. While maintaining the Victorian design, the chart has been updated and extended so that the time stream continues . . . up until the present day. There are new maps, charts and lots of fascinating facts and figures. . . . on the reverse [side] . . is a vast store of charts and extra information on family trees [of rulers], and different nations' rulers and dynasties.

Size: approx: 12" x 17.5" x .5" (closed) Chart approx. 15' long. Used $49.95 at http://www.alibris.com/ as of Sept. 02. Information given as example only. This web site is not affiliated in any way with any commercial web site.
Originally available at Barnes and Noble Bookstores for $29 to $39.
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Regarding how long it would take to get to Egypt:

Google "desert caravans" yielded:

http://encarta.msn.com/text_761579956__1/Silk_Road.html
This one describes the caravan trade.

http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196401/mecca.winter.caravan.htm

This last one mentions a normal days journey of 30=40 miles.

Gen. 37-38 discusses where Jacob's family was living in Canaan. As for the city of Pharoah at that time, we would guess it was Memphis, but he could have had more than one palace, including one on the coast near Rameses.
A Bible map would probably be helpful to you.

Google "ancient trade routes" yielded:

http://www.ancientroute.com/

Which will give you some description of the trade routes between Palestine and Egypt.

We hope that this will be of help.
Sincerely,
Mel and Guyna