Prince of Egypt
Compare and Contrast
-The film shows an accurate depiction of the oppression of the
Hebrews in Egypt
-Scripture tells us that midwives were instructed to kill Hebrew
boys. The film depicts soldiers doing so.
-Scripture tells us that Moses was placed in a basket in the
reeds. The film depicts Moses’ basket on a harrowing journey
down the river.
-Scripture tells us that Pharaoh’s daughter finds the child and
raises Moses as her own. The film depicts Pharaoh’s wife finding
him and raising him as a “prince of Egypt” – the brother of
Ramses, the future Pharaoh.
-The film does not mention Moses’ mother nursing Moses as is
told in Scripture
-Scripture tells us that Moses murdered the Egyptian out of
anger. The film depicts the event as more of an accident.
-Scripture tells us that Moses later is breaking up a fight
between 2 Hebrews when he begins to fear for his own life. The
film depicts his fears coming to the surface in discussion with his
“brother” Ramses (a fictional relationship).
-The film has some of the dialogue rearranged (out of
sequence). Otherwise it is fairly accurate.
-Scripture tells us that God identifies himself as “I am who am.”
The film uses “I am that I am.”
-Scripture tells us that Aaron accompanied Moses to help him
speak since Moses was not eloquent. The film does not include
this.
-The biggest difference here is that in the film, Moses and
Pharaoh are “brothers” who are joyfully reunited. Scripture tells
us that no such relationship existed and the name Ramses is not
mentioned in the Exodus story.
-Scripture tells us that Aaron accompanied Moses to visit
Pharaoh and that Aaron’s staff (snake) swallowed the other
staffs (snakes).
-The film depicts Moses as a young man although Scripture tells
us that Moses was 80 years old when he spoke to Pharaoh.
-Again, Scripture tells us that Aaron accompanied Moses while
the film depicts Moses acting alone.
-The film quickly glosses over plagues 2 through 9 while
Scripture provides detailed accounts of each.
-Scripture tells us that Moses informs Pharaoh of the 10th
Plague: the death of the firstborn. The film seems to depict
Pharaoh himself announcing the final plague.
-Scripture provides great detail about the Passover ritual
whereas the film glosses over the details.
-The film makes no mention of Moses bringing along Joseph’s
bones as is told in Scripture.
-The film also depicts the column of fire suddenly appearing as if
for the first time while Scripture tells us that it led them the
whole way.
-Scripture tells us that the Lord brought a strong wind that blew
all night to create the dry land. The film depicts it as a sudden
event.
-The film depicts Pharaoh as participating in the charge and
being swept by the waters while Scripture makes no mention of
Pharaoh’s participation in the pursuit.
The film quickly jumps ahead to show Moses descending the
mountain with the Ten Commandments skipping over Scriptures
accounts of the journey through the desert.
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