In interest of historical accuracy, relook biblical figures

Martin Frack

This is of course palpable nonsense in view of the scientific estimation of world populations in biblical times as Egypt, a most populated country at the time, having a total population of little more than a million. Even today the Sinai peninsula is as barren as it was in biblical times and is able to support no more than a few thousand Bedouin tribes due to lack of water and fertile land.

Biblical scholars estimate that the Jews who left Egypt at the time of the Exodus, could not have exceeded some 10 000 men, women and children. Rabbi Fishman’s observations and Rashi’s as well, need to be corrected in the interests of historical accuracy. “Millions of people” traipsing through the desert for 40 years, is really stretching things too far.

Fairvaile, Johannesburg