HIST 5/335 Ancient Egypt and the Bible

Lectures: Thursdays, 12:00-2:30pm (ET)

Credit Hours: 3

Cost: $555 Audit; $2,205 Credit

Field Study Cost: (Cost does not include flights)

Double Occupancy Room  $3,800
Private Room $4,800

Recorded Lectures: Yes

Description

Offered as an introduction to ancient Egypt, this course surveys Egypt's history and culture from Predynastic Period (4th millennium B.C.) through the Ptolemaic Period (30 B.C.). Class lectures, reading and written assignments and exams prepare the student for a nine-day field study to Egypt. Particular emphasis will be placed on the connection of biblical persons and events with ancient Egypt, and on the connection of Egypt with the land of Canaan and Israel. This course has a field study component.

Objectives

By the end of the course, a student should be able to:

  • understand the history, chronology, and geography of ancient Egypt;
  • understand ancient Egyptian culture (i.e., society, government, religion, literature, the arts, and everyday life); and
  • integrate learnings with the biblical narrative, particularly as it concerns the role of the lands of Canaan and Israel in ancient Egyptian history.

Equivalencies

  • Geography
  • History
  • Bible
  • Archaeology
  • Egyptology

Instructor: Dr. Oliver Hersey

Rev. Dr. Oliver Hersey: President, Jerusalem University College. B.A., Calvin College; M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Began teaching at JUC in 2021.

Egypt Field Study

Dates: December 6-17, 2026

At the conclusion of the semester, students will embark on a 12-day geographical, archaeological, and historical field study through the Sinai and Upper and Lower Egypt.

Sites include the Giza Pyramids, Coptic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Memphis, Sakkara, the Djoser and Dashur pyramids, Aswan, Luxor, and Mt. Sinai.

Travel: This field study will depart from and return to Cairo, Egypt.

This field study is mandatory for all students taking the course for credit and optional for audit students.

Sample Itinerary: View Sample Itinerary

Field Study Cost

Flights are not included.

Double Occupancy Room $3,800
Private Room $4,800
Registration Deadline
September 22, 2026

JUC Online Students: Field study registration and payment instructions will be emailed to students after they register for the course.

Informational Meeting Recording: Watch Recording

Instructor: Dr. Oliver Hersey

Join this Course

New Online Students:
The JUC Online application is open for Spring 2027.

Apply Here for Spring 2027

Returning Online Students:
Re-application is not required. Course registration information will be provided via email and in your JUC Portal.

Register in Portal

Want to join the field study?

Explore Egypt without Course Enrollment

Participating in the Field Study Only

Individuals age 18 or older may participate in the field study without enrolling in the accompanying course.

To register for the field study only:

  1. Complete the Travel Course Application.
  2. Once accepted to JUC, follow the instructions in your welcome email to access your JUC Portal.
  3. Log in to your JUC Portal and register for the field study.

Each participant must complete their own application and registration.
 

Travel Course Application   

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