Famine in Canaan. Much the same as what caused many Oklahomans, Texans, and New Mexicans to leave the plains and travel to California in the 1930s.
drought and crop failures
drought and crop failures
The Israelites went to Egypt because there was a famine in the land of Canaan, where they were living. Joseph, one of the Israelites, had risen to a position of power in Egypt and invited his family to seek refuge there.
Famine.
They didn't flee. They were forcibly exiled by the Babylonians.
They left because of a famine.
It was because of famine (Genesis ch.46). It was part of God's plan, since Egypt would be the "iron furnace" (Deuteronomy 4:20) in which the Israelites would be smelted, removing the dross, and would grow into a nation ready to receive God's Torah.
Moses
The Israelites went to Egypt during a time of famine in Canaan around 1700-1500 BCE, according to biblical chronology. This event is described in the Book of Genesis in the Bible, where it is said that Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (Israel), interpreted Pharaoh's dream predicting the famine.
God is willing to provide freedom. That is why.
The number of Israelites that did not leave Egypt is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It is estimated about 2 million to 3 million did leave Egypt, including men, women and children.