Giza in Egypt. The Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, and other Giza Pyramids

Pyramids in background of modern Cairo. On a web-site filled with articles directly associated with biblical locations and topics, this document is the exception. The Giza area, the Great Pyramid, and the Sphinx, are no where mentioned in Scriptures. So why mention them? Consider for a moment that Abraham would have passed by them while on his way to Memphis more than 2000 years before Christ -- and they were already hundred of years old. Even as they dominate the landscape of today, the same would have been true of the much more sparsely populated area in Abraham's day. Yet the Bible had no reason to directly mention these monuments to false gods and pharaohs; their inclusion is assumed in the condemnations generally issued to Egypt and its rulers. As such, the Giza pyramids were just a distant suburb of the ancient capital of Memphis. Genesis 12:10-15 Now there was a famine in the land [of Canaan], and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt , he said to his wife Sarai, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh's officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace [at Memphis]. (NIV. Additions ours for clarification) Sphinx and Great Pyramid Giza Pyramids: view from western desert side, looking towards Cairo Great Pyramid of Khufu (alt. Cheops) - 4th Dynasty [on right] - circa 2570 B.C. Khafre's Pyramid (son of Khufu, alt. Rakhaef or Chephren) [on left] - circa 2545 B.C. Pyramid of Menkaure (Alt. Mycerinus. Possibly grandson of Khufu) - circa 2480 B.C. Closer view, with people, gives perspective of block size. View from near Giza pyramids, looking south towards Saqqara Note pyramids toward the horizon. (Taken at maximum zoom)