Ipuwer Papyrus

== Ipuwer and the Book of Exodus ==

== Ipuwer and the Book of Exodus ==

Ipuwer has often been put forward in popular literature as confirmation of the biblical account of [[the Exodus]], most notably because of its statements that "[[Plagues of Egypt#1. Turning water to blood: Ex. 7:14–24|the river is blood]]", its account of widespread death and mourning and its frequent references to servants who have turned the social order upside down. The papyrus speaks of "gold and lapis lazuli, silver and turquoise, carnelian and amethyst, Ibhet-stone and ... strung on the necks of maidservants" which has been compared to the Exodus account "The people of Israel ... asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians." Exodus 12:35-36 In addition, observers have noted similarities between agricultural devastation described in the papyrus "[N]either fruit nor herbage can be found .. Indeed, everywhere barley has perished" and the following account in Exodus: " The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud." Exodus 9:31

Ipuwer has often been put forward in popular literature as confirmation of the biblical account of [[the Exodus]], most notably because of its statement that "[[Plagues of Egypt#1. Turning water to blood: Ex. 7:14–24|the river is blood]]" and its frequent references to servants running away. This assertion has not gained acceptance among the majority of scholars. There are disparities between Ipuwer and the narrative in the [[Book of Exodus]], such as that the papyrus describes the Asiatics as ''arriving'' in Egypt rather than leaving. The papyrus' statement that the "river is blood" phrase may refer to the red sediment colouring the Nile during disastrous floods, or simply be a poetic image of turmoil.{{sfn|Enmarch|2011|p=173–175}}

This comparison has not gained acceptance among the majority of scholars.

Disparities between the Ipuwer account and the narrative in the [[Book of Exodus]] include that the social upheaval described in the papyrus seems to relate to a dynamic where the formerly poor became the ruling class: "Behold, the poor of the land have become rich, and the [erstwhile owner] of property is one who has nothing. Behold, serving-men have become masters of butlers, and he who was once a messenger now sends someone else." In the Exodus account, the people of Israel remain slaves until they make a quick and bounty-laden exit at the time of the passover: "then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, 'Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone...'" Exodus 12 The papyrus describes the Asiatics as ''arriving'' in Egypt rather than leaving. The papyrus' statement that the "river is blood" phrase may refer to the red sediment colouring the Nile during disastrous floods, or simply be a poetic image of turmoil.{{sfn|Enmarch|2011|p=173–175}}

Other scholars have claimed directly that [[Christian fundamentalism|biblical fundamentalists]] are mistaken in drawing any comparisons, as they take the admonitions of Ipuwer completely out of their ancient context. They also strongly criticized amateur documentaries like [[Patterns of Evidence]], and the work of [[David Rohl]], describing them as "historically and intellectually dishonest". The overall conclusion is that the papyrus fits perfectly within the collective body of Middle Kingdom lamentation literature, and most likely has no relation to the Exodus story.{{Cite journal |last=Mark |first=Joshua J. |date=2016-11-21 |title=The Admonitions of Ipuwer |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/article/981/the-admonitions-of-ipuwer/ |journal=World History Encyclopedia |language=en}}

Other scholars have claimed directly that [[Christian fundamentalism|biblical fundamentalists]] are mistaken in drawing any comparisons, as they take the admonitions of Ipuwer completely out of their ancient context. They also strongly criticized amateur documentaries like [[Patterns of Evidence]], and the work of [[David Rohl]], describing them as "historically and intellectually dishonest". The overall conclusion is that the papyrus fits perfectly within the collective body of Middle Kingdom lamentation literature, and most likely has no relation to the Exodus story.{{Cite journal |last=Mark |first=Joshua J. |date=2016-11-21 |title=The Admonitions of Ipuwer |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/article/981/the-admonitions-of-ipuwer/ |journal=World History Encyclopedia |language=en}}