Egypt is located in between Assyria and Pathros. It is mentioned in conjunction with the places of Assyria, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Elam, Hamath, Israel, Land of Promise, the islands of the sea, mount Sinai, Pathros, Shinar, and the wilderness outside Egypt. All of these places are located outside of Egypt. There is insufficient information in the Book of Mormon to place Egypt in relation to any other place. Researchers locate Egypt as the lower portion of the Nile river before 600 BCE.
Commentaries (
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I NEPHI 1:165 [5:14]: Wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father Jacob and all his household from perishing with famine.
Commentary: This verse references the place of Egypt. The term 'he' refers to Lehi. This verse references Egypt but does not provide any information to place it in relation to any other place. The phrase 'into Egypt' shows the consistency of using 'into' to indicate leaving one place for another.
I NEPHI 1:166 [5:15]: And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.
Commentary: This verse references the place of Egypt. The term 'they' refers to Jacob and his household. This verse also does not provide any information about the relative location of Egypt. It does reference the land of Egypt as a defined area. This verse also illustrates consistency in the use of 'out of' to indicate leaving a place.
I NEPHI 5:133 [17:41]: Wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt, and he did straighten them in the wilderness with his rod, for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straightened them because of their iniquity.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Egypt and the wilderness outside Egypt. The term 'he' refers to Moses. The term 'they' refers to the children of Israel. There is a wilderness somewhere outside the land of Egypt.
I NEPHI 5:137 [17:42]: Nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Egypt, the land of promise, and the wilderness outside Egypt. The term 'they' refers to the children of Israel. The term 'his' refers to Moses. The phrase 'into the land of promise' names the land of promise, that the land of promise is outside of Egypt, and also identifies that the route of travel to the land of promise is through the wilderness outside of Egypt.
II NEPHI 9:31 [17:18]: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Assyria and Egypt. This verse indicates that Assyria and Egypt are two different lands.
II NEPHI 9:126 [21:11]: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Elam, Hamath, the islands of the sea, Pathros, and Shinar. This verse also occurs in Isaiah 11:11. These are listed in the same verse so they join borders (or do not have any lands in between them). There is insufficient information in the Book of Mormon to locate these places. However, their locations are known. As listed, and in the 7th century BCE, they did share borders or did not have any lands in between them. The Assyrian Empire (captial city was Ninaveh) stretched to Egypt. The capital city was known as Zoan to the Hebrews or as Tannis by the Egyptians. Egypt covered the lower Nile. Pathros (capital city was Thebes) bordered Egypt and covered the middle Nile. Cush (capital city was Napata) bordered Pathros and covered the upper Nile. The area between Cush and Elam was the Arabian Peninsula and there was no organized ruler or empire claiming that area. Elam (captial city was Susa) bordered Shinar (captial city of Babylon). Hamath (captial city was Hamath) bordered Shinar. The phrase 'islands of the sea' indicates Crete and the other islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Crete is located offshore of Hamath.
II NEPHI 9:131 [21:16]: And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Assyria, Egypt, and Israel. This verse also occurs in Isaiah 11:16. The term 'his' refers to the Lord. This verse identifies Assyria, Egypt and Israel are separate places. The phrase 'came up out of' indicates that Israel is higher in altitude than Egypt and that Israel is located outside of Egypt.
MOSIAH 7:95 [12:34]: Yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses, in the mount of Sinai, saying: I am the Lord thy God, who has brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Commentary: This verse references the places of Egypt and the mount of Sinai. This verse names the place of the mount of Sinai. The term 'ye' refers to the people in the land of Nephi. This verse indicates that the mount of Sinai is located outside of Egypt.
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