How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
How our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt for a long time; and the Egyptians treated us harshly, both us and our ancestors:
The writer is recounting how the Israelites' ancestors moved to Egypt where they eventually suffered harsh treatment for many generations.
📚 Historical Context
Moses is speaking to the king of Edom, requesting safe passage through his territory as the Israelites journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This is part of Moses' diplomatic appeal, reminding the Edomite king of their shared ancestry through Abraham and explaining why the Israelites left Egypt. The Israelites had lived in Egypt for about 400 years, starting as honored guests during Joseph's time but eventually becoming enslaved.
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