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מִצְרַ֫יִם (mits.ra.yim)

mits.ra.yim

Egypt

H4714 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 498 verses

N:N--L

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
498 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N--L

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun mitsrayim refers to Egypt, the land situated in northeastern Africa along the Nile River. Its form is a dual, which historically distinguished between Upper and Lower Egypt, much like how "the two Sicilies" might refer to distinct regions within one island. This grammatical number reflects the geographical reality of the Nile dividing the territory into two main sections, though later usage sometimes applied the word to the land as a single political entity.

In Scripture, mitsrayim appears nearly five hundred times, serving as a central setting for Israel’s history. It functions both as the name of the country and, through metonymy, as the name for its people, the Egyptians. Key narratives such as the descent into Egypt in Genesis 46 and the Exodus from it in Exodus 12 rely on this term to anchor the story in a specific, powerful location that shaped Israel’s identity.

Translators consistently render mitsrayim as "Egypt" or "Egyptians," capturing its role as both a place and a people. The dual form hints at an ancient understanding of the land’s division, yet the biblical text often treats it as a unified neighbor to Israel, whether as a place of refuge during famine or as the empire from which God delivered His people.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name mitsrayim appears nearly five hundred times in Scripture, anchoring Israel’s story in a specific, powerful location. Its dual form hints at an ancient understanding of the land’s division between Upper and Lower Egypt, yet the biblical text often treats it as a unified neighbor to Israel. This geographical reality shaped Israel’s identity, serving both as a place of refuge during famine and as the empire from which God delivered His people.

For your faith, this word reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel. Whether in times of plenty or severe famine, as seen when Abram went down into Egypt (Genesis 12:10), God’s presence accompanies His people even in foreign lands. The history of Egypt illustrates that while human powers may seem overwhelming, God remains faithful to His covenant promises, guiding His people through difficult seasons with purpose and care.

Reflecting on mitsrayim invites us to trust God’s guidance in our own lives, knowing that He walks with us through every circumstance. Just as Israel found deliverance and provision in the midst of Egypt’s challenges, we can rely on God’s steadfast love and wisdom in our daily journeys.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 498 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Egypt370×
  • from/ Egypt83×
  • in/ Egypt38×
  • Egypt/ towards26×
  • to/ Egypt5×
  • on/ Egypt4×
  • and/ Mizraim4×
  • and/ Egypt4×
  • of Egypt3×
  • for/ Egypt2×
  • and/ from/ Egypt2×
  • against/ Egypt2×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • מִצְרַ֔יִם83×
  • מִצְרָ֑יִם78×
  • מִצְרָֽיִם\׃67×
  • מִצְרַ֖יִם49×
  • מִצְרַ֙יִם֙27×
  • מִ/מִּצְרַ֔יִם21×
  • מִ/מִּצְרָֽיִם\׃17×
  • מִ/מִּצְרָ֑יִם17×
  • מִצְרַ֛יִם14×
  • בְּ/מִצְרָ֑יִם13×
  • מִצְרַ֗יִם12×
  • מִצְרַיִם֒10×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 12:10
    There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land.

    This verse marks Abram's first descent into Egypt during a famine, establishing the land as a place of refuge that also tests faith.

  • Genesis 15:18
    In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:

    Here God defines the boundaries of the promised land, using the river of Egypt as a western limit in His covenant with Abram.

  • Genesis 26:2
    Yahweh appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about.

    God explicitly commands Isaac not to go down into Egypt, distinguishing between human reliance on political powers and trust in divine direction.

  • Genesis 41:33
    “Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

    Joseph advises Pharaoh to appoint wise leaders over the land of Egypt, showing how God uses foreign systems to preserve life during famine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word mitsrayim mean?

Mitsrayim is the Hebrew name for Egypt, the land situated along the Nile River. Its dual grammatical form historically distinguished between Upper and Lower Egypt, reflecting the geographical division of the territory by the river.

How many times does mitsrayim appear in the Bible?

The word appears 498 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It serves as a central setting for Israel’s history, appearing in narratives from Genesis through the Prophets.

Is mitsrayim used to refer to people or just land?

While it primarily names the country, the term is often used metonymically to refer to the Egyptians themselves. Translators render it as 'Egypt' for the place and 'Egyptians' for the people depending on context.

Why is Egypt significant in the Old Testament?

Egypt functions as both a place of refuge during famine and a symbol of earthly power from which God delivers His people. Key events like Abram’s descent and the Exodus shape Israel’s identity and understanding of God’s sovereignty.

Every Occurrence (498 verses across 25 books)

Genesis 76 verses
Genesis 10:6

The sons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

Genesis 10:13

Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,

Genesis 12:10

There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in…

Genesis 12:11

When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to…

Genesis 12:14

When Abram had come into Egypt, some Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.

Genesis 13:1

Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South.

Genesis 13:10

Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh…

Genesis 15:18

In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of…

Genesis 21:21

He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.

Genesis 25:18

They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.

Genesis 26:2

Yahweh appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about.

Genesis 37:25

They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from…

Genesis 37:28

Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the…

Genesis 37:36

The Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard.

Genesis 39:1

Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him…

Genesis 40:1

After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt.

Genesis 40:5

They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the…

Genesis 41:8

In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told…

Genesis 41:19

and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of…

Genesis 41:29

Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming.

Genesis 41:30

Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will…

Genesis 41:33

“Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:34

Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s…

Genesis 41:36

The food will be to supply the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; so that the…

Genesis 41:41

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:43

He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the…

Genesis 41:44

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:45

Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.…

Genesis 41:46

Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh,…

Genesis 41:48

He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He…

Genesis 41:53

The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end.

Genesis 41:54

The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of…

Genesis 41:55

When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,…

Genesis 41:56

The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The…

Genesis 41:57

All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

Genesis 42:1

Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”

Genesis 42:2

He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may…

Genesis 42:3

Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Genesis 43:2

When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a…

Genesis 43:15

The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and…

Genesis 45:4

Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you…

Genesis 45:8

So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and…

Genesis 45:9

Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt.…

Genesis 45:13

You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father…

Genesis 45:18

Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will…

Genesis 45:19

Now you are commanded to do this: Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and…

Genesis 45:20

Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

Genesis 45:23

He sent the following to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded…

Genesis 45:25

They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.

Genesis 45:26

They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart fainted, for he…

Genesis 46:3

He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great…

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.”

Genesis 46:6

They took their livestock, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt—Jacob, and…

Genesis 46:7

his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and he brought all his offspring with…

Genesis 46:8

These are the names of the children of Israel, who came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.

Genesis 46:20

To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,…

Genesis 46:26

All the souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, who were his direct offspring, in addition to Jacob’s sons’ wives, all…

Genesis 46:27

The sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two souls. All the souls of the house of Jacob, who came into…

Genesis 47:6

The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in…

Genesis 47:11

Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in…

Genesis 47:13

There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan…

Genesis 47:14

Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which…

Genesis 47:15

When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and…

Genesis 47:20

So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine…

Genesis 47:21

As for the people, he moved them to the cities from one end of the border of Egypt even to the other end of it.

Genesis 47:26

Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of…

Genesis 47:27

Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were…

Genesis 47:28

Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were one hundred…

Genesis 47:29

The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in…

Genesis 47:30

but when I sleep with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place.” Joseph said, “I…

Genesis 48:5

Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and…

Genesis 50:7

Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the…

Genesis 50:11

When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous…

Genesis 50:14

Joseph returned into Egypt—he, and his brothers, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried…

Genesis 50:22

Joseph lived in Egypt, he, and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years.

Genesis 50:26

So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Exodus 120 verses
Leviticus 11 verses
Numbers 28 verses
Deuteronomy 41 verses
Joshua 16 verses
Judges 8 verses
I Samuel 10 verses
II Samuel 2 verses
I Kings 19 verses
II Kings 11 verses
I Chronicles 4 verses
II Chronicles 17 verses
Nehemiah 2 verses
Psalms 11 verses
Proverbs 1 verse
Isaiah 40 verses
Jeremiah 53 verses
Lamentations 1 verse
Daniel 4 verses
Hosea 9 verses
Amos 7 verses
Micah 2 verses
Haggai 1 verse
Zechariah 4 verses