SOME of us never doubted the historicity (snarky toss of hair back)....what actually really interests ME is wondering about the Hebrew working conditions and actual social and economic status. We were all raised on the Biblical narrative of slavery and oppression. But nowadays at least some theories that the Pyramids were not built by slaves but by highly paid skilled bands of laborers. Then the view that the pyramids, temples, etc were giant public works projects for the Egyptians to keep people out of trouble.,.I haven't really researched it, but one does remember that Joseph's family went there voluntarily. To escape famine. I've wondered if maybe they weren't slaves but were just an immigrant minority about whom the host population was deeply ambivalent (as we are in this country where we both fawn upon rich and successful immigrants and are resentful of their success. And worry about poor ones as a social and job threat to the native born). People become especially vicious in hard times, so one could imagine the Egyptians expelling them after a string of natural disasters. Scapegoating them, as medieval Europeans did at the time of the Plague. I'm just playing, and mean no disrespect to a sacred story...just wonder about it.
The story of Joseph rising to power could actually not be about an individual, but a narrative of the Jews in general. Such representative stories have been around a long time, in many cultures. It's essentially what historical fiction is now.
The most common speculation I've heard has been that Joseph rose to power during the Hyskos or similar dynasty: one open to non-Egyptian talent. When the natives came back into power, anybody associated with the previous dynasty was going to get payback. Especially if they helped the previous regime take such extreme economic control.
Where did the idea that the Hebrews built the pyramids come from? The only thing we know they were employed in was making mud bricks. Some of the cheap tombs used bricks, but I'd think the bricks would be more for houses and warehouses.
5 comments:
And ya won't get it from me! Not with that attitude.
SOME of us never doubted the historicity (snarky toss of hair back)....what actually really interests ME is wondering about the Hebrew working conditions and actual social and economic status. We were all raised on the Biblical narrative of slavery and oppression. But nowadays at least some theories that the Pyramids were not built by slaves but by highly paid skilled bands of laborers. Then the view that the pyramids, temples, etc were giant public works projects for the Egyptians to keep people out of trouble.,.I haven't really researched it, but one does remember that Joseph's family went there voluntarily. To escape famine. I've wondered if maybe they weren't slaves but were just an immigrant minority about whom the host population was deeply ambivalent (as we are in this country where we both fawn upon rich and successful immigrants and are resentful of their success. And worry about poor ones as a social and job threat to the native born). People become especially vicious in hard times, so one could imagine the Egyptians expelling them after a string of natural disasters. Scapegoating them, as medieval Europeans did at the time of the Plague. I'm just playing, and mean no disrespect to a sacred story...just wonder about it.
The story of Joseph rising to power could actually not be about an individual, but a narrative of the Jews in general. Such representative stories have been around a long time, in many cultures. It's essentially what historical fiction is now.
The most common speculation I've heard has been that Joseph rose to power during the Hyskos or similar dynasty: one open to non-Egyptian talent. When the natives came back into power, anybody associated with the previous dynasty was going to get payback. Especially if they helped the previous regime take such extreme economic control.
Where did the idea that the Hebrews built the pyramids come from? The only thing we know they were employed in was making mud bricks. Some of the cheap tombs used bricks, but I'd think the bricks would be more for houses and warehouses.
Post a Comment