The short answer is that we do not know. A number of opinionshave been put forth on this question.In the Exodus, Moses brought the Israelites out of the Egyptianslavery under the guidance of God, after God brought plagues uponthe Egyptians (Exodus ch.1-12). After the Israelites left, Egyptwas in turmoil for decades. Though Israel was later harassed(Judges ch.3,6 and 10) by its smaller neighbors (Ammon, Moab,Midian), not a peep was heard from Egypt for four hundred years.Egypt's turmoil is also borne out by the Ipuwer papyrus, whichmentions a number of the Plagues ("Pestilence is throughout theland....the river is blood, death is not scarce...there is nofood...neither fruit nor herbs can be found...barley hasperished...all is ruin...the statues are burned") (Professor Johnvan Seters, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology no. 50). The plagueswere also described by ancient historians, including Herodotus andDiodorus. The Exodus is mentioned by Strabo, Berosus, Artapanus,Numenius, Justin, and Tacitus.