This is my first post and first topic. I hope I wasn't premature in my thinking by posting this research topic here. I am very interested in study of this subject and have been since Ron Wyatt supposedly discovered the Red Sea Crossing and since I saw a special on TV on the topic of discovering the true Exodus route.
Now, since my research began I have come across many websites and bible maps that supposedly route out the biblical exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Many are different and there are many questions and guesses. Some people believe that the Red Sea crossing happened across the Gulf of Suez, some believe the Sea of Reeds and others the Gulf of Aqaba.
I would just like to begin with the beginning, obviously.
Quote:Exodus 12:33-41 "The Egyptians urged the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, "We will all be dead." So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls bound up in the clothes on their shoulders. Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock. They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves. Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt (NASB,
http://www.biblegateway....2:33-41&version=NASB)."
I have been using the most strict word-for-word bible translations and a few others with paraphrasing and better or different grammer to help get a better or different perspective on things. I even use all the concordances and biblical dictionaries that I can find to help me.
So, we have the Israelites leaving Rameses, obviously this is where they lived, and they traveled towards Succoth. It also says that a mixed multitude "went up" with them. Does "went up" mean that they traveled northward towards Succoth? Now, from this reading I am assuming that when they went to Succoth, they were "out of Egypt, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay?" Where is our starting point (Rameses) exactly? Where is Succoth, in Egypt or out of Egypt?
The Encylopedia Britannica says that Ramses was built by the Hebrews (Israelites) and "This conclusion, however, is at variance with most of the biblical and archaeological evidence. The storage cities Pitḥom and Rameses, built for the pharaoh by the Hebrews, were located in the northeastern part of the Egyptian delta, not far from Goshen, the district in which the Hebrews lived (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/490629/Rameses)."
By asking questions and having a discussion with as many people as possible it seems to be the best way of figuring this out.
Thank you.