Gary J Sibio
The Merenptah Stele, which is also known as the Israel Stele or the Victory Stele of Merneptah, is a stone with an inscription which dates to around 1209 BC. It is attributed to Pharaoh Merenptah (1213-1203 BC). Part of the inscription reads “Israel has been wiped out…its seed is no more.” While this is clearly an exaggeration, it is the oldest known artifact referring to Israel making it a significant find.
The granite stele (a stone pillar) was discovered at Thebes in 1898. The text is in hieroglyphics. It is currently housed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Alternative translations have been offered but all of them mention Israel in line 27. Besides being the earliest known mention of Israel, it is the only mention from ancient Egypt. This does not cast doubt on the historical accuracy of the biblical account. There are other references to Semitic people laboring in Egypt and it is unlikely that the Egyptians would have cared if they were Israelites of some other Semitic group.
A translation of the inscription on the This translation was done by Miriam Lichtheim (Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume II. Berkeley: U of CA Press, 1976). It can be found online here along with a very nice photo of the stele.
Text © 2018 Gary J. Sibio. All rights reserved.
Neat to see this artifact in this post. That Pharaoh may have thought Israel had surely been wiped out, as has been the intention of other rulers, but he/they did not know they were dealing with the God Who is not of man’s making. There she sits, tiny little Israel standing in the face of those who would indeed wipe her off the face of the earth. She has much to face yet, but her preservation is sure. Another season of dark days may come soon or be delayed, but the final dawn waits its day.
Amen, Robert. Even when God allowed the Babylonians and the Romans to overrun the country, it was only temporary.
I learned something I didn’t know today. Thanks Gary!!!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I did! I love finding new things on blogs, that reminds me to learn every day!
Thats really interesting thanks for sharing it.
What an interesting bit of history! Thanks for sharing it.
This made me think of a song.
Stunning piece of granite, another piece of history.