Mizraim is a significant figure in the genealogical and historical narratives of the Bible, primarily recognized as the progenitor of the Egyptians. The name "Mizraim" is often used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to Egypt itself, reflecting the close association between the individual and the nation.

Genealogy and Descendants

Mizraim is introduced in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, where he is listed as a son of Ham, who was one of Noah's three sons. Genesis 10:6 states, "The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan." Mizraim's descendants are further detailed in Genesis 10:13-14 : "Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, Pathrusites, Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorites."

These descendants are believed to have settled in various regions of Egypt and surrounding areas, contributing to the development of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The mention of the Philistines originating from the Casluhites suggests a broader influence of Mizraim's lineage beyond the borders of Egypt.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the biblical narrative, Egypt, or Mizraim, plays a crucial role as both a place of refuge and a land of oppression for the Israelites. The land of Egypt is first introduced as a place of sustenance during times of famine, as seen in the account of Abraham (Genesis 12:10) and later with Joseph, who rises to power in Egypt and provides for his family during a severe famine (Genesis 41-47).

However, Egypt also becomes synonymous with bondage and oppression, as the Israelites are enslaved there for several centuries. This period of enslavement sets the stage for the Exodus, a foundational event in Israelite history where God delivers His people from Egyptian bondage through Moses. The narrative of the Exodus is a central theme in the Old Testament, highlighting God's power and faithfulness.

Theological Significance

Mizraim, as a representation of Egypt, holds theological significance in the biblical narrative. Egypt is often depicted as a symbol of worldly power and idolatry, contrasting with the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The plagues and the eventual deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt serve as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over the nations and His commitment to His promises.

Prophetic literature in the Bible frequently references Egypt, using it as a metaphor for sin and rebellion against God. Yet, there are also prophecies that speak of Egypt's future redemption and inclusion in God's plan, as seen in passages like Isaiah 19:19-25, where Egypt is envisioned as part of a triad of nations worshiping the Lord.

Conclusion

Mizraim, both as an individual and as a nation, is integral to the biblical narrative. His descendants' establishment of Egypt and the subsequent interactions between Egypt and the Israelites provide a backdrop for many pivotal events in Scripture. Through these narratives, Mizraim serves as a lens through which themes of deliverance, judgment, and redemption are explored in the biblical text.Mizraim

tribulations

Mizraim

A son of Ham, and father of various African races, Genesis 10:6, but particularly of the Egyptians, to whom his name was given. Mizraim is also the Hebrew word for Egypt in the Bible, and this country is still called Misr in Arabic.

The dual form of matzor, meaning a "mound" or "fortress," the name of a people descended from Ham (Genesis 10:6, 13; 1 Chronicles 1:8, 11). It was the name generally given by the Hebrews to the land of Egypt (q.v.), and may denote the two Egypts, the Upper and the Lower. The modern Arabic name for Egypt is Muzr. MIZRAIM

miz'-ra-im (mitsrayim):

(1) A son of Ham, and ancestor of various peoples, Ludim, Anamim, etc. (Genesis 10:6, 13 1 Chronicles 1:8, 11).

See TABLE OF NATIONS.

(2) The name of Egypt.

See EGYPT.

The land of Ham.-cham, was another name for the land of Egypt. It occurs only in Psalm 105:23, 17; Psalm 106:22 Psalm 78:51 probably refers to the land of Ham, though it may refer to the children of Ham. The origin and significance of this name are involved in much obscurity. Two improbable etymologies and one probable etymology for Ham as a name of Egypt have been proposed, and the improbable ones very much urged:

(1) Ham is often thought to be a Hebrew appropriation of the Egyptian name "Kemt," a name for the "black land" as distinguished from "desherr," the red land of the desert which surrounded it. This etymology is very attractive, but phonetically very improbable to say the least.

(2) Ham has sometimes been connected directly with cham, the second son of Noah whose descendants under the name Mitsraim occupied a part of Northeastern Africa. But as there is no trace of this name among the Egyptians and no use of it in the historical books of the Old Testament, this can hardly be said to be a probable derivation of the word.

(3) There is a third proposed etymology for Ham which connects it ultimately but indirectly with Ham, the second son of Noah. Some of the earliest sculptures yet found in Egypt represent the god Min (Menu; compare Koptos by Professor Petrie). This god seems also to have been called Khem, a very exact Egyptian equivalent for Cham, Ham, the second son of Noah and the ancestor of the Hamitic people of Egypt. That Ham the son of Noah should be deified in the Egyptian pantheon is not surprising. The sensuality of this god Min or Khem also accords well with the reputation for licentiousness borne by Ham the son of Noah. These facts suggest very strongly a trace in Egyptian mythology of the actual history of the movements of Hamitic people.

(4) While the preceding division (3) probably states the real explanation of the early name of Egypt, it still remains to be noted that the use of the name Ham by the Psalmist may be entirely poetic. Until it be found that the name Ham was applied to Egypt by other writers of that period it will ever be in some measure unlikely that the Psalmist was acquainted with the mythological use of the name Ham in Egypt, and so, in equal measure, probable that he meant nothing more than to speak of the land of the descendants of Ham the son of Noah.

See also HAM.

M. G. Kyle

6047. Anamim -- a tribe desc. from Mizraim, probably located in or ...
... Anamim. 6048 . a tribe desc. from Mizraim, probably located in or near Eg. ... from
Mizraim, probably located in or near Eg. NASB Word Usage Anam (1), Anamim (1). ...
/hebrew/6047.htm - 6k

3695. Kasluchim -- a people desc. from Mizraim, probably ancestors ...
... a people desc. from Mizraim, probably ancestors of the Philistines. Transliteration:
Kasluchim Phonetic Spelling: (kas-loo'-kheem) Short Definition: Casluh. ...
/hebrew/3695.htm - 6k

3732. Kaphtori -- descendant of Mizraim, also their land
... 3731, 3732. Kaphtori. 3733 . descendant of Mizraim, also their land.
Transliteration: Kaphtori Phonetic Spelling: (kaf-to-ree') Short Definition: Caphtorim ...
/hebrew/3732.htm - 6k

3853. Lehabim -- a tribe desc. from Mizraim
... from Mizraim. Transliteration: Lehabim Phonetic Spelling: (leh-haw-beem') Short
Definition: Lehab. ... from Mizraim NASB Word Usage Lehab (1), Lehabim (1). Lehabim. ...
/hebrew/3853.htm - 6k

5320. Naphtuchim -- a tribe desc. from Mizraim
... from Mizraim. Transliteration: Naphtuchim Phonetic Spelling: (naf-too-kheem) Short
Definition: Naphtuh. ... from Mizraim NASB Word Usage Naphtuh (1), Naphtuhim (1). ...
/hebrew/5320.htm - 6k

3866. Ludim -- a tribe desc. from Mizraim
... 3865, 3866. Ludim. 3867 . a tribe desc. from Mizraim. Transliteration:
Ludim Phonetic Spelling: (loo-dee') Short Definition: Ludim. ...
/hebrew/3866.htm - 6k

6625. Pathrusim -- a tribe, desc. from Mizraim, which inhab. S. Eg ...
... Pathrusim. 6626 . a tribe, desc. from Mizraim, which inhab. S. Eg. ... Word Origin
from Pathros Definition a tribe, desc. from Mizraim, which inhab. S. Eg. ...
/hebrew/6625.htm - 6k

67. Abel Mitsrayim -- "meadow of Egypt," a place East of the ...
... "meadow of Egypt," a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Abel Mitsrayim Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-bale' mits-rah'-yim) Short Definition: Abel-mizraim. ...
/hebrew/67.htm - 6k

4714. Mitsrayim -- a son of Ham, also his desc. and their country ...
... and their country in NW Africa NASB Word Usage Egypt (588), Egypt's (2), Egyptian
(1), Egyptians (87), Mizraim (4). Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. ...
/hebrew/4714.htm - 6k

Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah.
... From him Scripture returns to Ham's other son, Mizraim; and his sons are
enumerated, not as seven individuals, but as seven nations. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the generations of.htm

At the Well
... "The faithful of Israel have been summoned thither from the remotenesses of Mizraim.". ...
"The evilest tie and the strongest between Israel and Mizraim!". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvii at the well.htm

Choosing the Tens
... Deborah. The prophetess went on: "Israel hath been a green tree, carried
hither in seed and grown in the wheat-fields of Mizraim. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

The Margin of the Nile
... "Aye!" she exclaimed, "and thou hast given tongue to the same estimate of Israel,
which hath wrought consternation among the powers of Mizraim. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiv the margin of.htm

Chapter x
... (See figure 363). 6. And the sons of Ham: Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan. ... The
Tell-el-Amarna Tablets call the land Kashi. "Mizraim" definitely is Egypt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Egypt.
... The sons of Mizraim, son of Ham, who first found out this fertile country, were
a very clever race, and made the most of the riches of the place. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iii egypt.htm

Rachel's Refuge
... "She departed out of the land of Mizraim before her people.". And this was prophecy.
Thus was Rachel left, but for Masanath, entirely alone. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxii rachels refuge.htm

The History after the Flood.
... And another son of Shem, the son of Noah, by name Mizraim, begat Ludim, and those
called Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim, out ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxi the history after the.htm

List of Characters and Places
... Ramesu. Mesu,"May'-soo, Moses, the Law-giver. Mizraim,"Miz'-ray-im, the
Hebrew name for Egypt. Mut,"Moot, the mother goddess. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/list of characters and places.htm

Jewish Chronology Continued.
... And among Ham's children are: Canaan, [1071] from whom came the Canaanites; Mizraim,
from whom the Egyptians; Cush, from whom the Ethiopians; and Phut, from ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxvii jewish chronology continued.htm

A'bel-Mizraim (1 Occurrence)
A'bel-Mizraim. Abel-mizraim, A'bel-Mizraim. Abel's . Multi-Version
Concordance A'bel-Mizraim (1 Occurrence). Genesis ...
/a/a'bel-mizraim.htm - 6k

Mizraim (5 Occurrences)
...MIZRAIM. miz'-ra-im (mitsrayim): (1) A son of Ham, and ancestor of various peoples,
Ludim, Anamim, etc. ... Multi-Version Concordance Mizraim (5 Occurrences). ...
/m/mizraim.htm - 11k

Abel-mizraim (1 Occurrence)
Abel-mizraim. Abelmizraim, Abel-mizraim. A'bel-Mizraim . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Its site is unknown. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABEL-MIZRAIM. ...
/a/abel-mizraim.htm - 8k

Naphtuhim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Hamitic tribe descended from Mizraim (Genesis
10:13). Others identify this word with Napata, the name ...
/n/naphtuhim.htm - 8k

Anamim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The name of an Egyptian tribe descended from Mizraim
(Genesis 10:13; 1 Chronicles 1:11). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANAMIM. ...
/a/anamim.htm - 7k

Lehabim (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LEHABIM. le-ha'-bim (lehdbhim): Named in
Genesis 10:13 1 Chronicles 1:11 as descendants of Mizraim. ...
/l/lehabim.htm - 7k

Ludim (3 Occurrences)
... Ludites"; Loud, Loudieim; Targum Onk: ludha'e): 1. Two Different Nationalities:
In Genesis 10:13 Ludim appears as the firstborn of Mizraim (Egypt), and in 10 ...
/l/ludim.htm - 11k

Lud (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) One of the Hamitic tribes descended from Mizraim (Genesis 10:13), a
people of Africa (Ezek. 27:10; 30:5), on the west of Egypt. ...
/l/lud.htm - 13k

Abelmizraim (1 Occurrence)
... for Jacob (Genesis 50:4-11). Its site is unknown. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ABEL-MIZRAIM. a'-bel-miz'-ra-im ('abhel mitsrayim ...
/a/abelmizraim.htm - 8k

Atad (2 Occurrences)
... the remains of their father Jacob, made for seven days a "great and very sore
lamentation." On this account the Canaanites called it "Abel-mizraim" (Genesis 50 ...
/a/atad.htm - 7k

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