It is known as exodus displacement of a town or community of peoplewho leave their place of origin in search of a new space in which to settle.
The exodus can have various causes, such as armed conflicts, political or religious persecution, natural disasters, extreme poverty, famine or epidemics. These circumstances force people to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
In this sense, it is a migration (or emigration), if we stick to the Greek origin of the word. Given that etymologically, the word exodus (in Greek “exodus”), means “exit”.
In this way, they can be used as synonyms of exodus, the following terms: emigration, migration, departure, abandonment, displacementamong others.
The biblical exodus
The biblical exodus or exodus of the Jewish people is considered a crucial event in the history and identity of this people. Additionally, it has symbolic and spiritual meaning for many people of faith in different religious traditions, as it represents liberation from oppression and the promise of a new beginning.
The exodus of the Jewish people is recorded and narrated in the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, in the Old Testament. This text recounts the slavery of the Hebrews in Ancient Egypt and their liberation by Moses, who led them through the desert to his “Promised Land.”
In addition, the Book of Exodus is also part of the Torah, the sacred texts for Judaism, made up of the first 5 books of the Bible. The one known as Pentateuch:
Genesis.
Exodus.Leviticus.Numbers.Deuteronomy.
According to the biblical story, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for many years. But Moses, a Hebrew who had been adopted and raised in Pharaoh’s court, was chosen by God to free the Israelites from their slavery.
Moses confronted Pharaoh, asking him to let the people of Israel go through the desert. Moses received the revelation of God’s law at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments, and guided the people through events such as the crossing of the Red Sea or the building of the tabernacle, a sacred place of worship.
However, due to the disobedience and lack of faith of the people of Israel, their journey to the Promised Land lasted for 40 years and Moses did not set foot in the Promised Land. Instead, it was Joshua who led the people in their final conquest.
The rural exodus
The rural exodus is the massive movement of people from rural to urban areas, in search of new jobs and a better quality of life.
This phenomenon arises due to the growth of medium and large cities. This causes, in turn, the creation of new employment opportunities, which attract and encourage rural residents. Furthermore, the installation of modern agricultural systems causes a lower need for labor in the countryside, forcing workers to look for another form of livelihood.
By virtue of the above, the rural exodus causes the disorderly growth of urban centers, by increasing the number of inhabitants.
Many countries experience or have experienced this phenomenon throughout their history.
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