Notable immigration stories in the Bible

The word "immigration" is a relatively newer term, dating back to the 17th century, according to wikipedia.org.

However, the fact that the term was only coined a few centuries ago doesn't mean that "immigration" did not occur during biblical times.

Since there is an ongoing war in the Middle East with immigration-related repercussions, it is fitting to take a peek at the early history of human migration as viewed through the cryptic lens of the Holy Scriptures.

One of the most famous yet petrifying episodes of biblical immigration occurred when Joseph and Mary fled from Bethlehem to seek refuge in Egypt.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Holy Family escaped to Egypt with the infant Jesus when King Herod of Judea ordered the massacre of every young child living within the vicinity of Bethlehem to eliminate a prophesied threat to his rule.

Fortunately for the future of Christendom, a divine warning allowed the Holy Family to flee unscathed in a timely fashion.

As victims of persecution, the Holy Family's miraculous escape to a neighboring nation would be considered, in modern times, as an act of immigration based on a claim for political or religious asylum.

Another instance of biblical immigration, as chronicled in the Book of Genesis, is when God commanded Abraham to leave the land of Ur to go to the "promised land." He eventually migrated to Egypt to escape famine.

While the concept of "immigration through divine dictum" has no logical equivalent in modern times, Abraham's subsequent travel to Egypt for purely economic reasons is comparable to the present-day "greener pasture" sojourn to a foreign nation.

Yet another legendary immigration story is the hasty banishment of Moses from Egypt after he killed an Egyptian guard for beating a Hebrew slave. He sought refuge in a desert country (Midian), where he settled down and started a family (years before returning to Egypt to save his people).

As someone banished via official edict (courtesy of an irate Pharaoh), Moses' ordeal is comparable to present-day exile-seekers. Depending on the host country's policy, Moses could have sought political asylum or temporary protected status in another country.

Since he married a local citizen, this would have also entitled him to a permanent resident status in the host country.

Another well-known biblical story, this one with a unique immigration twist, is when Joseph the Dreamer was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers in Egypt.

Since the treachery occurred outside of their native land, this was a classic case of inter-country human trafficking — no different from what goes on with appalling regularity in modern times when innocent women and children are vended into prostitution and forced labor across international borders by nefarious criminal syndicates.

Luckily for Joseph, his exceptional dream-discerning ability netted him an official appointment as second-in-command in the Egyptian military, transforming him into a bona fide Egyptian citizen of lofty stature.

Notably, Joseph's fate has a telling resemblance to the immigration journeys of certain high-ranking government officials in the world today who, through perseverance, hard work, and unique ability, have attained immense power and glory in their adopted countries.

Last but not least, the biblical story of Exodus is a primeval version of human mass migration with geopolitical implications. However, no concrete present-day comparison is available due to its extraordinary length, time, and the presence of supernatural events on which the entire immigration journey was anchored.

Yet, for its enduring quality, the Exodus has always been, and will always be, the greatest immigration story ever told, Baal and the golden calf notwithstanding. And despite a storyline that has constantly been yearning for a happy ending.