Do Egyptian records mention the Israelites in Canaan?

Ancient Egyptian records do not provide direct mention of the Israelites specifically in Canaan during the time of their alleged presence in the region. The lack of explicit references to the Israelites in Egyptian records from the relevant period has been a subject of scholarly debate and investigation.

However, there are some indirect references and potential allusions in Egyptian texts that scholars have interpreted as possibly related to the Israelites or their presence in Canaan:

·         Merneptah Stele: The Merneptah Stele, dating to around 1207 BCE, contains an inscription by the Egyptian pharaoh Merneptah boasting of his military victories. In the inscription, he refers to a group called "Israel" among the peoples he claims to have subdued. This is the earliest known reference to "Israel" outside of biblical texts, and it suggests that a group by that name was known to the Egyptians during this period.

·         Amarna Letters: The Amarna Letters, a collection of diplomatic correspondence from the 14th century BCE, include references to various Canaanite city-states and rulers. While they do not mention the Israelites specifically, some scholars have suggested that references to "Habiru" or "Apiru" in these letters may be connected to the early Israelites or other groups in the region.

·         Egyptian Reliefs: Some Egyptian reliefs depict scenes of foreign captives or slaves, which may include people from Canaan or neighbouring regions. While these reliefs do not specifically identify the Israelites, they provide evidence of Egypt's interactions with peoples from the Levant during different periods.

Overall, while there is no direct mention of the Israelites in Canaan in Egyptian records, there are indirect references and potential allusions that scholars have interpreted as possibly related to the early Israelites or their presence in the region. These interpretations remain subject to ongoing scholarly debate and investigation within the fields of archaeology, Egyptology, and biblical studies.