The Exodus Decoded

Certainly a lot of work went into making this, and the image effects and reconstructions are expensive and lavishly detailed. But looking really good and being true are certainly not the same thing. The most suspicious thing about this documentary is that it seems to have held a forgone conclusion from the beginning that the events depicted in exodus happened exactly as described and the many details happened in a specific order as described. Then it tries to find evidence piece by piece that this happened using supposedly scientific methodology. But this is exactly the opposite of scientific methodology, which in its pure form never really presupposes a definite outcome. a scientist revises his hypothesis when the most straightforward explanations for observable facts uncovered seems to disagree with his initial hypothesis. Yet here more and more stuff is gathered from everywhere from Thera to Greece to Egypt and across disciplines ranging from tectonics and other earth sciences to archaeology to ancient linguistic subtleties to each piece just happens to corroborate each of the details in the foregone conclusion! Are we supposed to believe the filmmaker is an expert in all of these areas? I certainly wonder how James Cameron got bamboozled by all this hooey and bankrolled the production.

The Documentary was quite interesting and the ideas put forward were well constructed and both sides of the argument were in part considered. I think one should note early in the work Simcha Jacobovici refers to archaeological proof to back up the claim to Israel, and much is mentioned of divine intervention in the stories of the Israelite's escape from Egypt chased by Egyptian soldiers, perhaps they just wanted their gold back? It was well constructed with many Jewish Prof's and Academics to back up the pro Jewish ideals and stories being offered. He also mentions the Egyptians are restricting excavation of certain areas he feels to prevent evidence of Israelite's being found, thus proving their claim beyond doubt, sorry Palestine! I also found the site of Dr Chris Heard, "Higgaion" as mentioned by another review an interesting counter if one wants to consider both sides? The baby in the basket, The Parting of the red sea, Moses meeting God on the mountain and giving his sermon, David and Goliath one has to start to wonder if any of it is true, sadly one cannot just believe what is served up to them any longer. One must verify these potential attempts to corrupt your data and insult your intelligence by finding your own truths, seek and ye shall find! Beware the seen and unseen agenda, watch out for deception in plain sight and never be afraid to question that which you know is wrong.

Whether the exodus occurred or not, The Exodus Decoded is filled with lies. While I'm not an expect in any of the relevant subjects, I knew enough to be suspicious of its wild and bizarre claims. I checked up on it and found an extensive review that debunks, with reason and hard evidence, just about every aspect of this travesty of a "documentary".

"The Exodus Decoded: An extended review by Christopher Heard" http://www.heardworld.com/higgaion/?p=60

Here's a quick example of how this documentary lies and distorts evidence. Look at this original stela: http://www.romesburg.com/exodus/exodusgraphics/stela-3detail.jpg

Now here's the cg "reconstruction" of that same stela, from Exodus Decoded: http://www.heardworld.com/higgaion/higpix/ED_emptystela2.png

Sorry about the poor image quality, but the important details are sufficiently clear. Note how they change the animals in the middle from lions to horses by changing their tails from an upward curve (which in ancient art would indicate a lion) to a downward curve (which ancient art of this sort would never depict a horse as having). Don't believe me? Check it out here: http://www.heardworld.com/higgaion/?p=360

Why is this detail significant? Because they claim that this stela is depicting the parting of the Red (or Reed) Sea, and those "Roman horses" are being engulfed in waves. But they are obviously lions, and not horses.

On the wider issue, ask yourself this: What reason could a documentary EVER have to change a clear detail on a mural when doing a "reconstruction"? In this case, to create evidence for wild claims that have no support otherwise. This is a cold, hard example of a bold LIE by this documentary. Look into this for yourself (at the site above, or a simple google search) and see that the lies of Exodus Decoded are painfully obvious once you have the other side of the story. I am ashamed for everyone involved, especially James Cameron.

A lot of people think science proves that stories in the bible can't be true. This program shows that even things as bizarre as the 10 plagues, the Exodus, and the parting of the sea can be demonstrated using archeology and science. I saw it as an explanation as to how God used nature in His plan (after all it's His). A "this is how He did it" for the faithful. The host is a believer.

A skeptic will probably still see it as a "well if it did happened, this is the explanation" to an unbelievable story that I did not earlier believe was even possible.

Well, we still have to have faith. But, I'd rather believe in God's providence than a series of really bizarre coincidences that led to more bizarre results.

I had to watch this documentary to see for myself. I am no scholar, but I am passionate about ancient history. Especially Egypt and the middle-East.

I have to say I hate when people try to manipulate and change facts to further their own agenda.

This is really badly researched and I am sure some people will believe everything as it is presented in the right way. But sadly full of errors and dating problems.

I suggest you read the Higgaion, the page changed location here is the new link http://theheards.us/chris/?page_id=141 At least read it if you see this documentary as a second opinion.

This is a very sad day when people in our time manipulate facts. A sad day indeed.