THE SEVEN YEAR FAMINE
Since the Israelites were in Egypt for 215 years and the Exodus was c. 1503 BC, we can guess that the seven year famine occurred c. 1719 BC. (Taking into account the Israelites came into Egypt during the second year of the famine).
Famines in the ancient world were actually commonplace, making it difficult to pinpoint Joseph’s famine. Abraham had gone down to Egypt himself due to a severe famine. (Gen. 12:10) There was also another severe famine during Isaac’s lifetime, however, God told Isaac not to go down to Egypt. (Gen. 26.1). There was famine during the time of Ruth (1:1). Famine also struck when God withheld rain for three years during the time of Elijah. (1 King 17)
Some biblical enthusiasts, whose citations are grossly lacking, claim Joseph’s famine occurred from 1,708-1,701. One piece of evidence they use to prove this is a severe famine in China, during the Shang Dynasty.
One argument pushed forward for a 1708-1701 famine that enthusiastic researchers have cited is that, according to Chinese Annals--of which this author cannot locate--after defeating his predecessor Jie at the Battle of Mingtiao, Cheng Tang became emperor. China was, however, already gripped with famine at this time. And according to these annals--the existence of which seems questionable--the famine had lasted seven years.
China had suffered multiple famines under Tang, however. And this alone can’t be taken as conclusive evidence, especially since there is no conclusive date for the beginning of the Shang dynasty, let alone Chinese artifacts or documents available to the public which support these claims.
Another piece of information these amateur researchers use is the Indo-Aryan migration which began c. 1800 BC. A migration of large numbers of people is likely to have been due to famine, but as mentioned above, there were severe famines in Abraham’s time as well as Isaac’s and so these migrations can’t be solely blamed on the famine during Joseph’s time.
Another “piece of evidence”, which is not evidence at all, is the Yemen Tablets, which, in poetry-form, supposedly mentioned Joseph by name and describes seven years of plenty followed by seven years of dearth. These tablets were “translated” by a Mr. Charles Forster, who didn’t have any credentials as a professional linguist nor possessed knowledge of the ancient Arabic language.
The Eclectic Magazine Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan. 1845 pgs. 79-81 THE PRETENDED PATRIARCHAL INSCRIPTIONS OF ARABIA, originally published by the Dublin University Magazine (Vol. 24, No. 144 Dec. 1844) denounced Mr. Forster with a heavy heart, but in the name of academia and religion, both magazines were forced to set the record straight. Dublin University stated the poems which were “translated” by Mr. Forster were most likely written by a 7th century or early 8th century Arabic poet. Mr. Forster, however, falsified where the poetic inscriptions were found, claiming they were engraved on stones at two separate Adite castles; such inscriptions, let alone the castles, do not exist, and was a mystification of Mr. Forster.
It is therefore, an impossible quest to date the biblical seven year famine to specific years. Declines of civilizations, rebellions, and migrations of people in the 18th century BC, may be indicative of widespread famine but not necessarily conclusive evidence for it.
Causes of famine range from political to environmental. Migrations of mass populations can be due to war or political uprisings, both of which can contribute to a lack of available food. Climate change, an unstoppable force, also plays a significant role in famines and migrations. Couple that with a lack of foresight and poorly managed government systems, and the base people suffer tremendously.
In 2100 BC, India, researchers have discovered a weakening of the summer monsoons. The drought that followed effected the Indus Valley inhabitants, drastically. But the climate change of 2,100 BC was not isolated to the Asian continent. Egypt’s Old Kingdom suffered, as did the Grecian mainland and the Akkadian Empire--whose collapse was believed to have been caused by sudden climate change.
Wherever there is climate change, there is either the decline or rise of a civilization. Some causes for climate change are oceanic patterns, solar output, large meteor/asteroid strikes, and volcanism.
If Joseph’s famine was worldwide and Joseph told his brothers: Gen. 45:6 “For these two years has the famine been in the land: and there are yet five years, in the which there shall neither be plowing nor harvest.” We can assume that this famine was caused by environmental forces.
Both drought and cold, wet weather will reduce crop yield for honey. Almonds however, can survive on as little as 7.6 inches of water annually. Almond growers around the world rely heavily on the honeybee to pollinate their almond crops.
For a successful almond crop, the honeybee needs to pollinate as many blossoms as possible and not become distracted by the other available flora. In times of drought, shallow rooted flora will be the first to wilt and thus be unfruitful for the honeybee. The bee will then turn to more drought tolerant plants for food. A little honey indicates a scarcity of flora for the honeybees to harvest, a good almond crop indicates good pollination of the blossoms.
David Rohl suggested the famine in Egypt and Canaan was due to wetter conditions during the time of Amenemhatt III c. 1860-1814. A rise in Nile flooding made it impossible to plow, drowning cattle, sheep etc. His interpretation comes from Pharaoh’s dream and the fact the cows were coming out of the Nile. However, this author disagrees with this hypothesis. Severe flooding of the Nile would not account for famine in Canaan and lack of pasturage for their herds.
That's not to say that somewhere else on planet earth, inhabitants weren’t plagued with wetter conditions which then affected crop growth.
Aside from the fact that a rise in Nile Inundation was not likely to have been the cause of the seven year famine during Joseph’s time, this author believes the c. 1860-1814 timeframe is too early for Joseph’s famine.
The University of Arizona published a short essay on The Vegetation and Climate Changes During the Bronze and Iron Ages in Southern Levant Based on Palynological Records.
Fossil pollen records uncovered in the Levant, including the region of Jerusalem, allow scientists to gauge the climate from c. 3600-600 AD. They’ve discovered that during the Middle Bronze Age I, which was from 1950-1750, the climate was predominately drier when compared to the Middle Bronze Age II-III which was wet.
During the Middle Bronze Age II, the Dead Sea saw its record water levels in the last four millennia. These wetter conditions were beneficial for inhabitants and “significant numbers of people may have moved to the ‘greener’ parts of the Levant. Wetter conditions in the Middle Bronze Age II-III caused the settlement system to recover and re-expand in the south (in areas like Beer Sheba Valley in the northern Negev).”
It’s this author’s belief that Joseph could have lived around the time that the climate was changing from a hot and arid one to one that was wetter and possibly cooler. These climatic shifts can be tumultuous, and go from one end of the spectrum to the other in regards to temperature and precipitation.
According to the fossil pollens then, it’s plausible the famine occurred sometime around c. 1750 BC, during the climate change.
Interesting, around the same time, an Alaskan volcano Mt. Veniaminof erupted with a VEI of 6 or possibly 7. Such a volcanic eruption may have contributed to global cooling for several years. During the Little Ice Age from 1500-1800 AD, solar irradiation was at a low while there was an increase in seismic activity.
From 1750-1500 BC during the wetter and cooler conditions, it appears there may have also been an increase in seismic activity with major volcanic eruptions occurring such as:
Since the Israelites were in Egypt for 215 years and the Exodus was c. 1503 BC, we can guess that the seven year famine occurred c. 1719 BC. (Taking into account the Israelites came into Egypt during the second year of the famine).
Famines in the ancient world were actually commonplace, making it difficult to pinpoint Joseph’s famine. Abraham had gone down to Egypt himself due to a severe famine. (Gen. 12:10) There was also another severe famine during Isaac’s lifetime, however, God told Isaac not to go down to Egypt. (Gen. 26.1). There was famine during the time of Ruth (1:1). Famine also struck when God withheld rain for three years during the time of Elijah. (1 King 17)
Some biblical enthusiasts, whose citations are grossly lacking, claim Joseph’s famine occurred from 1,708-1,701. One piece of evidence they use to prove this is a severe famine in China, during the Shang Dynasty.
- Gen. 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. [57] And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
One argument pushed forward for a 1708-1701 famine that enthusiastic researchers have cited is that, according to Chinese Annals--of which this author cannot locate--after defeating his predecessor Jie at the Battle of Mingtiao, Cheng Tang became emperor. China was, however, already gripped with famine at this time. And according to these annals--the existence of which seems questionable--the famine had lasted seven years.
China had suffered multiple famines under Tang, however. And this alone can’t be taken as conclusive evidence, especially since there is no conclusive date for the beginning of the Shang dynasty, let alone Chinese artifacts or documents available to the public which support these claims.
Another piece of information these amateur researchers use is the Indo-Aryan migration which began c. 1800 BC. A migration of large numbers of people is likely to have been due to famine, but as mentioned above, there were severe famines in Abraham’s time as well as Isaac’s and so these migrations can’t be solely blamed on the famine during Joseph’s time.
Another “piece of evidence”, which is not evidence at all, is the Yemen Tablets, which, in poetry-form, supposedly mentioned Joseph by name and describes seven years of plenty followed by seven years of dearth. These tablets were “translated” by a Mr. Charles Forster, who didn’t have any credentials as a professional linguist nor possessed knowledge of the ancient Arabic language.
The Eclectic Magazine Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan. 1845 pgs. 79-81 THE PRETENDED PATRIARCHAL INSCRIPTIONS OF ARABIA, originally published by the Dublin University Magazine (Vol. 24, No. 144 Dec. 1844) denounced Mr. Forster with a heavy heart, but in the name of academia and religion, both magazines were forced to set the record straight. Dublin University stated the poems which were “translated” by Mr. Forster were most likely written by a 7th century or early 8th century Arabic poet. Mr. Forster, however, falsified where the poetic inscriptions were found, claiming they were engraved on stones at two separate Adite castles; such inscriptions, let alone the castles, do not exist, and was a mystification of Mr. Forster.
It is therefore, an impossible quest to date the biblical seven year famine to specific years. Declines of civilizations, rebellions, and migrations of people in the 18th century BC, may be indicative of widespread famine but not necessarily conclusive evidence for it.
Causes of famine range from political to environmental. Migrations of mass populations can be due to war or political uprisings, both of which can contribute to a lack of available food. Climate change, an unstoppable force, also plays a significant role in famines and migrations. Couple that with a lack of foresight and poorly managed government systems, and the base people suffer tremendously.
In 2100 BC, India, researchers have discovered a weakening of the summer monsoons. The drought that followed effected the Indus Valley inhabitants, drastically. But the climate change of 2,100 BC was not isolated to the Asian continent. Egypt’s Old Kingdom suffered, as did the Grecian mainland and the Akkadian Empire--whose collapse was believed to have been caused by sudden climate change.
Wherever there is climate change, there is either the decline or rise of a civilization. Some causes for climate change are oceanic patterns, solar output, large meteor/asteroid strikes, and volcanism.
If Joseph’s famine was worldwide and Joseph told his brothers: Gen. 45:6 “For these two years has the famine been in the land: and there are yet five years, in the which there shall neither be plowing nor harvest.” We can assume that this famine was caused by environmental forces.
- Gen. 43:11 "And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds.”
Both drought and cold, wet weather will reduce crop yield for honey. Almonds however, can survive on as little as 7.6 inches of water annually. Almond growers around the world rely heavily on the honeybee to pollinate their almond crops.
For a successful almond crop, the honeybee needs to pollinate as many blossoms as possible and not become distracted by the other available flora. In times of drought, shallow rooted flora will be the first to wilt and thus be unfruitful for the honeybee. The bee will then turn to more drought tolerant plants for food. A little honey indicates a scarcity of flora for the honeybees to harvest, a good almond crop indicates good pollination of the blossoms.
- Gen. 47:4 And they said to Pharaoh, "We have come to dwell in the land, because your servants have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan."
- Gen. 41:22 "And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them."
David Rohl suggested the famine in Egypt and Canaan was due to wetter conditions during the time of Amenemhatt III c. 1860-1814. A rise in Nile flooding made it impossible to plow, drowning cattle, sheep etc. His interpretation comes from Pharaoh’s dream and the fact the cows were coming out of the Nile. However, this author disagrees with this hypothesis. Severe flooding of the Nile would not account for famine in Canaan and lack of pasturage for their herds.
That's not to say that somewhere else on planet earth, inhabitants weren’t plagued with wetter conditions which then affected crop growth.
Aside from the fact that a rise in Nile Inundation was not likely to have been the cause of the seven year famine during Joseph’s time, this author believes the c. 1860-1814 timeframe is too early for Joseph’s famine.
The University of Arizona published a short essay on The Vegetation and Climate Changes During the Bronze and Iron Ages in Southern Levant Based on Palynological Records.
Fossil pollen records uncovered in the Levant, including the region of Jerusalem, allow scientists to gauge the climate from c. 3600-600 AD. They’ve discovered that during the Middle Bronze Age I, which was from 1950-1750, the climate was predominately drier when compared to the Middle Bronze Age II-III which was wet.
During the Middle Bronze Age II, the Dead Sea saw its record water levels in the last four millennia. These wetter conditions were beneficial for inhabitants and “significant numbers of people may have moved to the ‘greener’ parts of the Levant. Wetter conditions in the Middle Bronze Age II-III caused the settlement system to recover and re-expand in the south (in areas like Beer Sheba Valley in the northern Negev).”
It’s this author’s belief that Joseph could have lived around the time that the climate was changing from a hot and arid one to one that was wetter and possibly cooler. These climatic shifts can be tumultuous, and go from one end of the spectrum to the other in regards to temperature and precipitation.
According to the fossil pollens then, it’s plausible the famine occurred sometime around c. 1750 BC, during the climate change.
Interesting, around the same time, an Alaskan volcano Mt. Veniaminof erupted with a VEI of 6 or possibly 7. Such a volcanic eruption may have contributed to global cooling for several years. During the Little Ice Age from 1500-1800 AD, solar irradiation was at a low while there was an increase in seismic activity.
From 1750-1500 BC during the wetter and cooler conditions, it appears there may have also been an increase in seismic activity with major volcanic eruptions occurring such as:
- Thera c. 1628-1540 VEI: 7
- Aniakchak c. 1628 & 1500 (two eruptions?) VEI: 6
- Mt. Vesuvius c. 1680-1535 VEI: 6
