From extreme weather to scientific advancements
According to the Book of Exodus, God inflicted plagues on Egypt to persuade the Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves. The Pharaoh finally acquiesced to God's demand after the tenth plague. Supporters of biblical archaeology have proposed two theories to explain these occurrences.
Colin Humphreys, a physicist from Britain and author of 'Miracles of the Exodus' (2003), suggests that an intense drought resulted in the altering of the Nile's water, leading to a chain of events. Additionally, some propose that 3,500 years ago, a volcanic eruption triggered a series of plagues. Canadian biologist Siro Trevisanato, author of 'The Plagues of Egypt' (2005), supports this viewpoint.
The first divine plague took place when Pharaoh Ramesses II declined to release the Israelites. The Nile's water, representing fertility, transformed into blood.
According to a scientific theory, an increase in temperature resulted in a severe drought and gave the Nile a red hue. This elevated heat caused the growth of pyrophytic algae, ultimately altering the river's color.
There is an additional theory suggesting that the river's color change resulted from earthquakes caused by a volcanic eruption. These tremors could have disrupted iron deposits in the water, blending with gases emitted by the quakes and producing ferrous hydroxide (rust), thus causing the water to turn red.
According to Exodus, Pharaoh Ramesses II stubbornly refused to release the Israelites from slavery. As a consequence, a new divine plague was inflicted: an invasion of the river bank and surrounding areas by thousands of frogs.
According to the British physicist Colin Humphreys, the "curse" occurred as a result of the first plague. As oxygen levels decreased in the water, frogs left the river and moved onto land. Simultaneously, a considerable number of fish died in the Nile.
According to the volcanic eruption theory, the release of toxic gases during the earthquakes deprived the water of oxygen and caused the frogs to escape to dry land.
The Egyptians prayed for relief from the devastating plagues, but yet another one was imposed upon them as a third punishment. This time, it was an outbreak of lice.
Colin Humphreys explains that due to the drought, the number of lice eggs increased. Lice were a common problem in ancient Egypt, causing many people to shave their heads.
Another explanation in modern times suggests that the increase in parasites was caused by the Nile's growing pollution, leading to a decline in hygiene.
The Egyptians faced a severe lice infestation, and a swarm of flies soon accompanied it. The Israelites weren't affected by this aerial attack but the Egyptians suffered greatly.
According to Colin Humphreys, the increase in insects can be attributed solely to the decline of the frog population. These flying insects were a primary food source for the amphibians.
Another theory proposes that the presence of contaminated water and a high number of deceased animals merely enticed a larger influx of flies to the area.
According to the Bible, Ramesses II deceived Moses by falsely promising to release the slaves. As a consequence, Egypt faced retribution in the form of a decline in its domestic animals, once his deceit was uncovered.
A possible reason behind the substantial animal fatalities is known as the cascade effect. The invasion of flies and lice, triggered by the scarcity of clean water, along with the decline of frogs (natural enemies of the insects), collectively contributed to the occurrence of this next "plague."
According to Humphreys, stable flies spread deadly viruses to horses and cows.
Boils emerged as a result of insect reproduction, leading to the unfortunate Egyptians being stung and bitten, according to biologist Werner Kloas from Germany's Leibniz Institute.
The theory of volcanic eruption suggests that the release of carbon dioxide led to the formation of festering boils and infected wounds.
The seventh plague delivered a terrifying storm composed of hail, ashes, and fire that descended from the heavens.
One straightforward theory proposes that the tempest was an uncommon hailstorm that had thunder and lightning. While uncommon, it is feasible for such weather events to happen in arid areas.
According to Nadine von Blohm from Germany's Institute of Atmospheric Physics, the hail may have been stones raining from the skies, triggered by a volcanic eruption.
According to Exodus, God inflicted this next punishment to ruin the crops in the regio. As usual, the Israelites weren't affected by the curse.
According to the book 'The Miracles of the Exodus' by Humphreys, Egypt experienced a locust invasion due to a change in the climate. The destruction of crops occurred as a result of the hailstones' force and/or volcanic activity.
An alternate theory suggests that the combination of cold weather and damp soil provided an optimal environment for the flying pests to breed.
Exodus mentions that Egpyt was plunged into total darkness for three days.
A possible explanation is that a thick sandstorm might have caused the event, similar to the sandstorms witnessed in modern-day Egyptian deserts.
According to the volcanic theory, Egypt experienced darkness as a result of volcanic ash blocking out the sun.
According to modern scholars, the tradition of the deaths of firstborn children was rooted in a cultural practice. Firstborns were given the honor of being fed before others, but the food they consumed was tainted by locust excrement, leading to fatal illnesses.
Another theory is that the firstborns died due to carbon dioxide released by the volcano. The vulnerable infants would have been more susceptible to the dangers of inhaling the toxic gas.
As per the Bible, the first child of both humans and animals perished. Only the Israelites, who were advised to mark their doors with lamb's blood, would be spared. Pharaoh Ramesses II suffered the loss of his son during this calamity.
According to Exodus, the Egyptians were then struck with skin boils as their next affliction.
According to the biblical Book of Exodus, the Plagues of Egypt were a series of calamities inflicted by God to convince the Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Although most historians consider these events to be allegorical, there are scientific theories suggesting that the "plagues" were actually a sequence of unfortunate natural disasters.
Curious? Click through the gallery to explore the theories surrounding the Plagues of Egypt.
Scientists can now explain biblical plagues
Uncovering the truth about the Plagues in Egypt
LIFESTYLE Religion
According to the biblical Book of Exodus, the Plagues of Egypt were a series of calamities inflicted by God to convince the Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Although most historians consider these events to be allegorical, there are scientific theories suggesting that the "plagues" were actually a sequence of unfortunate natural disasters.
Curious? Click through the gallery to explore the theories surrounding the Plagues of Egypt.