A series of 12 programmes written and presented by Magnus Magnusson
3: Bondage in Egypt
The Israelites' deliverance from bondage in Egypt (Exodus ch 13, 14) was a corner-stone of their religious tradition. The feast of the Passover celebrates their escape under the leadership of Moses, himself directly inspired by God.
Yet the Egyptians, in all the mass of written records they left behind, made no mention of an Israelite presence in their land-not even of Joseph, who, the Bible tells us, became Pharaoh's Grand Vizier.
Tonight MAGNUS MAGNUSSON looks at the way in which the Bible story can be interpreted in the light of our knowledge of ancient Egypt. Bible reader Eric Porter
Film editor DICK ALLEN
Producer PAUL JORDAN