- Exodus 12:40
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, [was]
four hundred and thirty years.
Bible Search: http://bible.crossdaily.com
Egypt 2
We are now in Cairo. It is reaching temperatures of over 100 Degrees F.
Our new bus driver skillfully maneuvered among the unruly traffic.
Here in Egypt people create their own lanes and frequently drive like they
are England - the other side of the road. We learned in Luxor "Red" means
hurry up and go faster, if a policeman is not around. Speaking of police,
we saw a lot more security stops on this leg of the tour. Further, we had a tour
security police on board the bus. Many times a tour police car was behind and
in front of us. It was great to get us through traffic jam. They sounded their sirens
and people pulled aside.
The above pictures are of the BENT Pyramid. This was the original Pyramid built by Snefru and the
first with smooth sides. He lived during the Old Kingdom. Who was Snefru?
"Snefru was the first king of the 4th dynasty (2613 - 2589 BC). He ruled for an estimated 24 years.
Unlike most kings, he was not declared kingship though birthright but through marriage. He was a
superior military manager and advanced Egypt’s economy. Establishing trading routes along the
Mediterranean, Snefru planned in moving ahead his empire to great lengths. His most famous contribution
was the Bent Pyramid of Dahshur."
." http://www.kingtutone.com/pharaohs/snefru
Why was it bent?
The Bent Pyramid, owes its preservation to the builder's correcting his errors. At the core he used
relatively soft layer of slaty clay. "This seriously compromised the stability of the whole structure."
Another weakening was by little care be given to the internal masonry resulting in substantial gaps to
be filled with limestone rubble. "They built an artificial foundation that it rests atop" giving stability.
"The Pyramid actually went through about three different alterations away from the original plans, which
called for the structure to have an angle of almost 60o. There was changed to a less steep slope of almost 55o,
requiring that the base be enlarged. When the pyramid was about 45 meters high, the angle of the slope
was reduced to 45o (later pyramid usually had a slope of between 52 and 53 degrees), which had the effect of
reducing the mass of the upper part of the pyramid and thus reducing the load on the substructure. The builders
began laying the stone courses horizontally (rather than with the stones sloping inwards). For example, both
the core stones and the casing stones were larger than those used in 3rd Dynasty pyramids. In act, the
casing stones were much larger." http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/snefrubentp.htm
Next we went to the Red Pyramid (ca. 2560) of Snefru. The shaft is 62 meters long or
203.41207483333332 feet and mile is 5,280 feet. Going in you have to bend over and stay
bent until you reach the room.
For pictures of
interior go to
http://www.revver.com/video/159042/the-tomb-of-kagmni/ and
http://www.pennal.com/albums/travel/Egypt%20for%20Christmas/index_3.html
Next is Zoser and the Step Pyramid built by none other than King Zoser. He lived in the
3rd dynasty ca 2686-2613 B.C. The beginning of the old Kingdom. Zoser Step Pyramid of
Saqqara is thought to be the first pyramid built in Egypt. Old stone building still are standing.
Saqqara necropolis Djose's step mound is pyramid of Unas. To the right is Pyramid of Userkaf.
The height is 204 feet originally made of limestone. Imhotep born around 2630 B.C. designed it.
He was a physician and architect plus chief advisor. Building this pyramid showed his power and
strength. Others followed suit. Taking a break from seeing pyramids, the tour guide had our bus
driver drive through local towns to one of UNICEF sponsored companies. Here youth are taught
how to weave wall hangings, in order for them to make a living as adults. The completed rugs are sold.
Many drove these 3 wheelers. We are at the place where I bought yarn for Melody
Yes, we purchased a beautiful wall hanging for over our bed at home..
Off to more Pyramids.
Elizabeth's first and last time This young tour member was raring to go.
for camel riding. What a Place to
ride a camel! WOW!!!
Riding a camel is bumpy experience. Were are in Giza
Pharaoh Khafre built the center one. In the distant background is Cairo.
"The pyramid has a base length of 215.25 m (706 ft) and originally rises to a height of 143.5 m (471 ft)
The Pyramid is made of Limestone blocks (weighing more than 2 tons each). The slope of the pyramid
rises at an 53° 10' angle, steeper than its neighbor Khufu’s pyramid which has an angle of 51°50'40".
The pyramid sits on bedrock 10 m (33 ft) higher than Khufu’s pyramid that would make it look taller. "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khafre's_Pyramid
"Khafre (2576-2551 BCE), fourth King of the fourth dynasty, Old Kingdom. The son of Khufu, Khafre
(or Khephren to the ancient Greeks) is best known as the owner of the second pyramid at Giza.
As with the other kings of that dynasty, written records that date to his reign are scarce; even information
on family relationships and the lengths of individual reigns at that time may often be conjectural. Two of his
wives are known: Meresankh II, the daughter of his brother Kawab, and his chief wife, Khamerernebty.
His eldest son, Menkaure, builder of the third pyramid at Giza, succeeded him. Two other sons are recognized:
Nikaure and Sekhemkare. His daughter Khamerernebty II became Menkaure’s chief queen.
Khafre succeeded his brother, Djedefre, who had ruled for eight years. Ideologically, Khafre continued
Djedefre’s promotion of the cult of the sun god re by using the title “ the Son of the Sun” for himself and
by incorporating the name of the god in his own. "Dr. Zahi Hawass http://guardians.net/hawass/khafre.htm
Next we went to see the Sphinx
Giza is the cemetery for Memphis former capital of Egypt. Carved from the bedrock of the Giza plateau,
The paws themselves are 50 feet long (15m) while the entire length is 150 feet (45m).
The head is 30 (10m) feet long and 14 feet (4m) wide.
"The most popular and current theory of the builder of the Sphinx holds that it was commissioned by the 4th Dynasty
King, Khafre (2558-2532 BCE). Khafre was one of the sons of Khufu (AKA Cheops). The Sphinx lines up with the
Pyramid of Khafre at the foot of its causeway. As one rounds the northeast corner to the front of the Sphinx, the
alignment of the two structures becomes more apparent. Originally it is believed that the Sphinx was painted
" http://guardians.net/egypt/sphinx/
After a long day rest is very welcomed. The next day saw us off to the Land of Goshen where the Israelites
lived for 400 years.
Genesis: 46:3 And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make
of thee a great nation:46:4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and
Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel
carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to
carry him.46:6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan,
and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:46:7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his
daughters, and his
sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
The land of Egypt [is] before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to
dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest [any] men of activity among
them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
