Evidence That Amenhotep II Was the Pharaoh of the Exodus

Evidence from Scripture, archaeology, and ancient records identifies Amenhotep II as the Pharaoh of the Exodus in 1446 BC.

1. The Exodus occurred in 1446 BC

Solomon began building the temple in his fourth year, 966 BC. The text says this was 480 years after the Exodus, which places the Exodus in 1446 BC (1 Kings 6:1).

2. Amenhotep II reigned during 1446 BC

Of all the pharaohs named Amenhotep, only Amenhotep II reigned during the Exodus date (1450–1423 BC). Amenhotep I ruled too early, Amenhotep III too late.

3. Manetho named Amenhotep as Pharaoh of the Exodus

The 3rd-century BC Egyptian historian Manetho, quoted by Josephus, said the Exodus happened under a king named Amenophis (Greek for Amenhotep), aligning with the 18th Dynasty and Amenhotep II’s reign. While Josephus seeks to discredit Manetho's account about various events he claimed happened, Manetho is at least a source which puts Amenhotep II's reign during the time of the Exodus (Josephus, Against Apion).

4. Thutmose III, Amenhotep II’s predecessor, reigned over 40 years

Moses fled Egypt at age 40 when the Pharaoh sought to kill him (Exodus 2:15; Acts 7:23). He returned after 40 years in Midian, when the king died (Exodus 2:23; Acts 7:30). Thutmose III reigned 54 years, fitting this requirement.

5. Amenhotep II’s firstborn son did not succeed him

The 10th plague killed Pharaoh’s firstborn son (Exodus 11:5; Exodus 12:29). Amenhotep II’s successor, Thutmose IV, was not his firstborn. An older son, likely the crown prince, disappeared from history, consistent with death in the plague.

6. Thutmose IV’s Dream Stele implies he wasn’t heir by birth

Thutmose IV claimed the gods promised him the throne in a dream while sleeping before the Sphinx. This suggests he needed divine legitimacy because he was not the expected heir. This supports the death of the firstborn in Exodus 12:29.

7. Amenhotep II launched an unusual winter slave raid after the Exodus

In his year 9, the same year as the Exodus, Amenhotep II conducted a military campaign in November (not spring), capturing over 100,000 slaves. This fits a desperate attempt to replace Israelite slave labor (Exodus 12:41; 1 Chronicles 20:1).

8. This campaign included 3,600 captured “Apiru” (Hebrews)

Amenhotep II’s records mention capturing 3,600 “Apiru” in Canaan. The term “Apiru” is linguistically tied to the Hebrew word for “Hebrew” (Genesis 14:13). Some Israelites may have split from the main group and been re-enslaved.

9. The naval base and palace at Avaris was abandoned during Amenhotep II’s reign

Avaris was a major royal city tied to Israelite habitation. Archaeology shows it was abruptly abandoned during Amenhotep II’s reign, matching the Exodus (Exodus 12:33). Later, he bypassed Avaris on return from campaigns, suggesting it was deserted.

10. Mass graves at Avaris fit the 10th plague

Archaeologists found mass animal graves (goats, sheep, cattle, dogs) at Avaris. Most were under one year old—matching the Passover requirements (Exodus 12:5). Pottery from the graves dates to Amenhotep II’s reign.

11. Hatshepsut fits the role of Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted Moses

Exodus 2:5–10 says Pharaoh’s daughter rescued Moses. Hatshepsut, the only surviving daughter of Thutmose I, matches this role. She had power and status, and she reared Moses at court.

12. Egyptian campaign to erase Hatshepsut’s memory aligns with Moses' adoption

After the Exodus, Hatshepsut’s name and images were defaced across Egypt. Egyptian theology saw this as condemning someone to second death. Amenhotep II likely ordered this to erase the woman who enabled Moses to survive (Exodus 2:10).

13. Psalm passages do not say Pharaoh died in the Red Sea

Psalm 106:11 and Psalm 136:15 refer to Egypt’s army being overthrown but do not say Pharaoh died. The Hebrew term in Psalm 136:15 means “shook off,” not killed (Psalm 136:15; Psalm 109:23). Amenhotep II lived into his 30th regnal year.

14. Judges 11:26 confirms 15th century Exodus date

Jephthah said Israel had occupied the land for 300 years before his day, c. 1100 BC. That places the conquest around 1400 BC and the Exodus in the 1440s (Judges 11:26). Add 40 years of wandering (Numbers 14:33), and it aligns with 1446 BC.

15. Exodus 1:11 does not require Ramses II

The name “Ramses” in Exodus 1:11 may reflect a later scribal update, like the reference to “Dan” in Genesis 14:14. The actual city was likely Avaris, later renamed Pi-Ramesses in the 19th Dynasty. This doesn't require a 13th-century date.

16. Ramses II fails all biblical criteria

His reign began too late (1279 BC), his predecessor ruled only 11 years (not 40), and his firstborn son Merneptah ruled after him—contradicting Exodus 11:5. Every criterion disqualifies Ramses II.

17. Efforts to discredit 1 Kings 6:1 and Judges 11:26 rely on agenda

Some late-date advocates reinterpret “480 years” as symbolic and dismiss Jephthah and Stephen as unreliable (Acts 7:23–30). But the early sources support a literal understanding and disqualify the late date.

18. Boils

The sixth plague afflicted Egyptians with boils (Exodus 9:8–11). Among all the royal mummies, Amenhotep II’s body alone appears covered with unusual lesions that resemble boils. This visual evidence aligns with the biblical account of God's judgment, where even Pharaoh’s magicians could not stand before Moses because of the severity of the affliction (Exodus 9:11).

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Works Consulted

ABR. "Amenhotep II as Pharaoh of the Exodus (Part 1): Digging for Truth Episode 146 - YouTube". Youtu, 2022, https://youtu.be/YJ5Wimmup9k. Accessed 26 March. 2025.

ABR. "Amenhotep II as Pharaoh of the Exodus (Part 2): Digging for Truth Episode 147 - YouTube". Youtu, 2022, https://youtu.be/rqUC3jAwAMc. Accessed 26 March. 2025.

Expedition Bible. "The Exodus Pharaoh EXPLAINED! - YouTube". Youtube, 2024, https://youtu.be/2JusQxiTXnE. Accessed 26 March. 2025.

Josephus, Flavius, and William Whiston. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. Hendrickson, 1987, p. 789-91.