Final answer:
The Israelites migrated to Egypt primarily to escape famine and were originally welcomed by the ruling Hyksos, who shared a Canaanite background. Over time, their growing numbers in Egypt led to their enslavement until Moses eventually led them out around 1300-1200 BCE.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Israelites moved to Egypt around 1600 BCE to escape famine. Initially welcomed by the Hyksos, who were of Canaanite background, the Israelites eventually faced enslavement under the New Kingdom of Egypt. Over time, as foreign invasions and economic opportunities arose, more Canaanites, including the early Hyksos, made their way into Egypt. These migrations, driven by various pressures such as famine and threat of invasion back in Canaan, culminated in a significant presence of Semitic-speaking individuals in the Nile Delta region. The eventual exodus of the Hebrews, led by Moses, is believed to have occurred between 1300 and 1200 BCE, possibly as a result of the wider collapse of the Bronze Age. Some archaeological evidence, such as the mention of "Israel" in an Egyptian record from 1207 BCE, supports the Hebrew presence in Canaan following these events.
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