Shaving

 Hebrew men of ancient times grew beards. Yet, the Bible tells us that Joseph shaved prior to appearing before Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:14) Why did he shave? To conform with Egyptian custom and etiquette, which considered facial hair to be a sign of uncleanness.  "[The Egyptians] prided themselves on being clean-shaven," says the book Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt. In fact, cosmetic sets consisting of razors, tweezers, and mirrors, along with their containers, have been found in tombs.  Clearly, Moses was Meticulous chronicler.  The same can be said of other Bible writers who documented events relating to ancient Egypt. 

Business enterprises.

Jeremiah, who wrote the two books of Kings, gave specific details regarding King Solomon's trade in horses and chariots with the Egyptians and Hittites.  A chariot cost "six hundred silver pieces, and a horse . . . a hundred and fifty," or one quarter the cost of a chariot, the Bible states. - 1Kings 10:29.

According to the book of Archaeology and the Religion of Israel, the Greek historian Herodotus and archaeological findings both confirm that a lively trade in horses and chariots was carried on during the reign of Solomon. In fact, "a standard exchange rate of four . . .  horses for one Egyptian chariot was established," the book states corroborating the figures given in the Bible. 

Next time: Warfare

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