15th Century BC (Traditional Dating of the Exodus)
The Israelites were living in Egypt, having grown into a large population since the time of Joseph. They were subjected to harsh slavery under the Egyptian Pharaoh.
Egypt was a powerful and influential kingdom, ruled by a Pharaoh who felt threatened by the growing number of Israelites and thus ordered the killing of Hebrew male infants.
The events occur in Egypt, specifically in the region of Goshen where the Israelites resided, and along the Nile River where Moses was placed in a basket.
The Egyptians practiced polytheism and had a rigid social hierarchy. The Israelites, as slaves, were at the bottom of this hierarchy and were subject to oppressive labor and decrees.
Moses
Future leader and deliverer of the Israelites, saved from death as an infant.
Pharaoh's Daughter
She discovered Moses in the Nile and raised him as her own son.