Feb.4] PROCEEDINGS. [1890.Egyptians,which is dwelt upon in the Old Testament, was very
strong. Assumingthis to be so, and thatthe Exodus tookplace at
the end of the reign of Horemhebi, or of Ramessu I, the Hebrews
wouldperhapshavebeenratherlongerin Egypt thanthe 215 years
assignedto their stayby Josephus; but Lepsius has shown thatthis
215 years is a round number,beingjust half the 430 yearssaidto
haveelapsedbetweenthe visit of Abraham andthe Exodus, which
he also considered to be a round or artificial number. Thedifference,
however,wouldnot be very great,andwouldallowmoretimefor the
increaseof the Hebrew population.
As I have alreadypointedout,theselattersuggestionsregarding
Josephmaybe accepted or rejected withoutinvolvingthe acceptance
or the rejection of my suggestions respectingthe Exodus; but,
takingthemas a whole, I venture to submit themas a reasonable
and consistent workinghypothesis.
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