Topical Encyclopedia
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 DescendantsMizraim 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 ContextIn 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 SignificanceMizraim, 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.
ConclusionMizraim, 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.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Mizraimtribulations
ATS Bible Dictionary
MizraimA 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.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MIZRAIMmiz'-ra-im (mitsrayim):
(1) A son of Ham, and ancestor of various peoples, Ludim, Anamim, etc. (Genesis 10:6, 131 Chronicles 1:8, 11).
SeeTABLE OF NATIONS.
(2) The name of Egypt.
SeeEGYPT.
The land of Ham.-cham, was another name for the land of Egypt. It occurs only inPsalm 105:23, 17;Psalm 106:22Psalm 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 alsoHAM.
M. G. Kyle
Strong's Hebrew
6047. Anamim -- a tribe desc. fromMizraim, 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).
...3695. Kasluchim -- a people desc. fromMizraim, probably ancestors...
... a people desc. fromMizraim, probably ancestors of the Philistines. Transliteration:
Kasluchim Phonetic Spelling: (kas-loo'-kheem) Short Definition: Casluh....
3732. Kaphtori -- descendant ofMizraim, also their land
... 3731, 3732. Kaphtori. 3733 . descendant ofMizraim, also their land.
Transliteration: Kaphtori Phonetic Spelling: (kaf-to-ree') Short Definition: Caphtorim...
3853. Lehabim -- a tribe desc. fromMizraim
... fromMizraim. Transliteration: Lehabim Phonetic Spelling: (leh-haw-beem') Short
Definition: Lehab.... fromMizraim NASB Word Usage Lehab (1), Lehabim (1). Lehabim....
5320. Naphtuchim -- a tribe desc. fromMizraim
... fromMizraim. Transliteration: Naphtuchim Phonetic Spelling: (naf-too-kheem) Short
Definition: Naphtuh.... fromMizraim NASB Word Usage Naphtuh (1), Naphtuhim (1)....
3866. Ludim -- a tribe desc. fromMizraim
... 3865, 3866. Ludim. 3867 . a tribe desc. fromMizraim. Transliteration:
Ludim Phonetic Spelling: (loo-dee') Short Definition: Ludim....
6625. Pathrusim -- a tribe, desc. fromMizraim, which inhab. S. Eg...
... Pathrusim. 6626 . a tribe, desc. fromMizraim, which inhab. S. Eg.... Word Origin
from Pathros Definition a tribe, desc. fromMizraim, which inhab. S. Eg....
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....
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....
Library
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....
At the Well
... "The faithful of Israel have been summoned thither from the remotenesses ofMizraim."....
"The evilest tie and the strongest between Israel andMizraim!"....
Choosing the Tens
... Deborah. The prophetess went on: "Israel hath been a green tree, carried
hither in seed and grown in the wheat-fields ofMizraim. The...
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 ofMizraim....
Chapter x
... (See figure 363). 6. And the sons of Ham: Cush andMizraim and Put and Canaan.... The
Tell-el-Amarna Tablets call the land Kashi. "Mizraim" definitely is Egypt....
Egypt.
... The sons ofMizraim, 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....
Rachel's Refuge
... "She departed out of the land ofMizraim before her people.". And this was prophecy.
Thus was Rachel left, but for Masanath, entirely alone....
The History after the Flood.
... And another son of Shem, the son of Noah, by nameMizraim, begat Ludim, and those
called Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim, out...
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....
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...
Thesaurus
A'bel-Mizraim (1 Occurrence)A'bel-
Mizraim. Abel-
mizraim, A'bel-
Mizraim. Abel's . Multi-Version
Concordance A'bel-
Mizraim (1 Occurrence). Genesis
...Mizraim (5 Occurrences)
...MIZRAIM. miz'-ra-im (mitsrayim): (1) A son of Ham, and ancestor of various peoples,
Ludim, Anamim, etc.... Multi-Version ConcordanceMizraim (5 Occurrences)....
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....
Naphtuhim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Hamitic tribe descended fromMizraim (Genesis
10:13). Others identify this word with Napata, the name...
Anamim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The name of an Egyptian tribe descended fromMizraim
(Genesis 10:13; 1 Chronicles 1:11). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANAMIM....
Lehabim (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LEHABIM. le-ha'-bim (lehdbhim): Named in
Genesis 10:13 1 Chronicles 1:11 as descendants ofMizraim....
Ludim (3 Occurrences)
... Ludites"; Loud, Loudieim; Targum Onk: ludha'e): 1. Two Different Nationalities:
In Genesis 10:13 Ludim appears as the firstborn ofMizraim (Egypt), and in 10...
Lud (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) One of the Hamitic tribes descended fromMizraim (Genesis 10:13), a
people of Africa (Ezek. 27:10; 30:5), on the west of Egypt....
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...
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...
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