- Reign of Akhenaten (c. 1353–1336 BCE)
- Akhenaten introduced radical religious reforms, promoting the worship of Aten and sidelining traditional deities and priesthoods.
- Death of Akhenaten and Succession
- After Akhenaten’s death, there was a brief period of instability. Smenkhkare and Neferneferuaten may have briefly ruled, followed by the ascension of Tutankhamun around 1332 BCE.
- Restoration of Traditional Polytheism (c. 1332–1330 BCE)
- Tutankhamun, under the guidance of advisors like Ay and Horemheb, restored the worship of traditional deities, particularly Amun, and returned the capital to Thebes.
- Arrival of Moses and Aaron in Egypt
- While the exact date is debated, biblical chronology places the Exodus around the 15th century BCE, with Moses being 80 years old at the time of the Exodus.
- Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt
- The Israelites’ departure from Egypt, led by Moses and Aaron, marks the culmination of the events initiated by their arrival and confrontation with Pharaoh.
Summary:
- Reversal of Akhenaten’s Policies: Occurred shortly after his death, around 1332–1330 BCE, with the restoration of traditional religious practices under Tutankhamun.
- Arrival of Moses and Aaron: Likely occurred after the restoration of traditional polytheism, possibly aligning with the reign of Pharaoh Horemheb (c. 1319–1292 BCE), who succeeded Tutankhamun and was known for his military background and efforts to consolidate power.
This timeline suggests that the Israelites’ presence in Egypt and their subsequent departure occurred after the restoration of traditional religious practices, which had been disrupted during Akhenaten’s reign.
Further reading:
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