Adam & Eve & the Egyptian serpent
Ancient Egypt had an immense influence on the world, through trade links and cultural contacts, so it should be no surprise to see ancient Egyptian ideas being propagated into later civilizations. Many Biblical figures in particular had very significant links with ancient Egypt, spending important and formative years there imbibing Egyptian ideas. In the Book of Genesis, we read about Abraham and Sarah going to Egypt and staying with the royal court, presumably becoming steeped in Egyptian knowledge and culture.
“When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman.
“And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace.
“He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.”
[Genesis Book 12 Verses 14–16; NIV; my emphasis]
Further, the Book of Exodus tells of how the Israelites left Egypt, and tells us that Moses was found as a baby floating along the River Nile in a basket, and was then raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter, and likewise would at first have become completely assimilated into Egyptian elite culture. Indeed, when he finally meets his own people, living in slavery, he seems at first to be more Egyptian than Israelite.
