Egypt (Misr) is ascribed to Mizraim, a son of Ham who is one of Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan. Thus, Mizraim is a Hebrew name. Some believe it derives from a Semite language, and means the “sea strait” or “narrow place”.
In Assyrian, Egypt was called Mu-ṣur which means “fortified” as some counted Egypt fortified from all directions due to her position: it is surrounded by the sea from the north, the eastern desert to the east, the western desert to the west, and great rocks to the south which prevent sailing in the Nile. This could be why Egyptians call her “al-mahrussa” (the protected one).
As for ancient Egyptians, they used to call her Kemi which means the “black land” due to the fertile soil produced by the Nile. They also called her Tua, that is, the “two lands” to indicate Upper and Lower Egypt. In Arabic, Egypt’s name is close to hers in Hebrew, “Mizraim” which refers to twoness and is, very likely, to be attributed to Upper and Lower Egypt.
Some believe that Egypt, in foreign languages, derives from the name “Ha Ka Petah” (the name of Memphis in Ancient Egyptian language). It means the “abode of Petah’s spirit”. Its Greek origin is Aigyptos from which “Aigypte” or “Egypt” derives. This very last is the most common in the world languages. In Arabic, it morphed to “Eqept”, then “Copt”. In effect, Egypt and Copt, in modern languages, seem to derive from one source and meaning, that is, the original inhabitants of the Nile Valley.
The Land of Civilization
The Ancient Egyptian is one of the oldest civilizations on earth. The presence of the Nile had had a great influence: for it helped Ancient Egyptians to settle down, cultivate the land, and breed cattle thousands of years ago. Ancient Egyptians evolved rapidly to start simple industries, after which small societies formed on the Nile banks, which led to societal development. Commercial exchange between these societies started. Thus, Egypt became a commerce pioneer, then started trade with the neighboring countries.
Likewise, Ancient Egyptians were adept at science. They invented hieroglyphics. The population of Tigris and Euphrates imitated them: for they invented the Cuneiform script. This led to the flourishing of commerce between the two societies, which urged human development in general.
Inventing hieroglyphics in Egypt pushed life several steps forward. In fact, Ancient Egyptians loved writing. Indeed, the “Egyptian Scribe” is a famous portrait in ancient Egyptian art. Upon tracing ancient Egyptian orthography and reading history, we find that ancient Egyptians wrote about all the aspects of their lives, such as, kings’ accounts, religious beliefs, the sciences they developed: like medicine, geometry, and arithmetic, praise of kings, their wars and conventions with neighboring countries. There are also writings about manners and wisdom, religious manuscripts, and, even more, personal and familial affairs.
In addition to writing, Egypt offered the world remarkable monuments, like the Pyramids, Sphinx, olden temples and monuments in Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. Parts of these monuments were taken to great international museums to be displayed. Likewise, they were given a special field of study called Egyptology.
Egypt’s Stature in Religions
Egypt has always been the land of beauty: for God granted her a rare, natural beauty. Egypt is said to be one of the most beautiful countries of the world. Even more, she is likened to “the garden of the Lord”. When Lot wanted to choose a place for residence after his separation from Abraham for the land could not support them, Lot chose Sodom and Gomorrah due to their beauty. We read, “Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt.”
Likewise, Egypt is the land of abundance: which is why she was great emperors dream. In fact, ancient Greeks dreamt of dominating Egypt, which was realized by Alexander the Great. In Genesis, we read that when Jacob and his sons came to Egypt, Joseph told them, “and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.” When earth was suffering from a great famine, Egypt was the resort and savior, “And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.”
Egypt: the Land of Wisdom
The whole world has known Egypt to be the land of wisdom. We read, “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” When the Bible described Solomon’s wisdom, it said, “Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.”
Egypt: the Land Whence God Blessed His People
We read in the Bible that God has blessed His people in Egypt: “The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people…” In the Quran, we read in the Chapter of Joseph (Surat Ysusf), verse 99, “When they entered to Joseph, he took his parents to his bosom and said, ‘Enter Egypt, God willing, safe and secure.” In Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, (Hadith), we read, “Should God ever bless you by conquering Egypt, mobilize a great army from her children: for they will be on quite good terms till doomsday.”
Egypt and God’s Men
Also, Egypt was the refuge of many a holy man, and a place which God sent them to find protection. There, they found safety. God’s friend, Abraham, sought refuge in Egypt when the earth suffered from starvation. We read, “Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.”
Likewise, righteous Joseph was sold to an Egyptian. God allowed this to save Egypt and the world from a great famine that was to alight on the earth. We read, “Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.” Thus, Egypt was not a refuge for Joseph. Rather, he was sent there for a mission he had to accomplish. At that time, the Pharaoh saw God’s wisdom in him. So, he appointed him steward of the land: “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
Also, Jacob came over with his sons to live in Egypt with Joseph who was then the Pharaoh’s “second-in-command” and, told him, “but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Jacob and his sons, “So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan.” Jacob lived for seventeen years in Egypt, but Joseph remained there until his death. Another man of God who was born and lived in Egypt, and educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians was Prophet Moses. He lived in the Pharaoh’s palace for forty years as his daughter’s son. He was the one who led God’s people to the land of Canaan, crossing with them the Red Sea. As for wise Solomon, he did not live in Egypt. Yet, he married the Pharaoh’s daughter: “Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David…”
Yet, the most important incident which the Coptic Church celebrates and fills her books in full details and commentary and has become a tradition in her icons is the visit of Christ, St. Mary and St. Joseph to Egypt. They moved amidst her, and dwelt in many of her cities. The story starts in St. Matthew’s Gospel. We read that when Herod insisted on killing baby Jesus, St. Joseph saw a vision to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt: “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” He was told to stay there until he was told to return. So, “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt…” They stayed there until Herod’s death, only to fulfill Hosea’s prophecy, “… from Egypt I called My son” According to the tradition, when Christ entered Egypt, its idols shook. They would break at His passing by. Palladius, a historian and fourth-century bishop, writes that he himself went to Ashmunin, Upper Egypt, and saw a temple there where all the idols had been smashed upon Christ’s entrance.
The Church dedicates Pashans 24, coinciding with June 1, every year, a celebration and route for this occasion and visit called, “The Holy Family’s Journey in Egypt”. This route has become an international touristic attraction for whoever seeks its blessing.
Thus, Egypt has a lot about her. She is a landmark in history, civilizations, and religions: being the land of abundance, blessing, love, and peace. That’s why stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
