The ancestors of the Israelites were certain of the pastoral tribes
having their abode in the wild tracts to the south and east of
Palestine. Their nearest kinsmen were Edom, Ammon, and Moab. About 2200
B. C. they migrated under their tribal chief, Abraham, from Haran in
Mesopotamia into the land of Canaan. Here the tribes continued to lead a
pastoral life, and ultimately, in the time of Jacob, a famine in the
land of Canaan led to a fresh migration into Egypt. This movement is
especially associated with the name of Joseph.