Birth & AdventScholarly Discussion

Flight to Egypt

Written: ~750 BCFulfilled: ~4 BC

Hosea's reference to Israel being called out of Egypt was also fulfilled typologically in Jesus's flight to and return from Egypt.

Prophecy & Fulfillment

Old Testament Prophecy

Hosea 11:1

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son."

New Testament Fulfillment

Matthew 2:15

"where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son.""

Commentary

Matthew sees Jesus as recapitulating Israel's history. Just as Israel (God's "son") came out of Egypt, so Jesus, the true Son of God, was called out of Egypt. This typological fulfillment is characteristic of Matthew's use of the Old Testament.