Evidence of Israel in Egypt: Two famine/drought inscriptions
1895 BC Nile Famine of Sesostris I in year 5 of Joseph in Egypt
Pharaoh Sesostris I (Senwosret, Senusret, Kheperkare) 1920-1874 BC (LC)
Two different inscriptions document the famine of 1895 BC in Egypt caused by low Nile flooding
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Digging up Bible stories! Flood and famine in Egypt in the time of Joseph
“What you read in the book you find in the ground” |
Introduction:
1. While Joseph was in Egypt, two different Nile famine inscriptions likely refer to the same event in the year 1895 BC, in regnal year 25 of Sesostris I. The kindness and concern for the poor typifies the goodness of the Egyptians when Joseph entered Egypt and suggests the greatest food relief program in world history!
2. Importance of the two Nile famine inscriptions:
a. The inscription dates to 1877 BC, which is year 3 of the famine of Joseph’s dream of the 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. Jacob entered Egypt in 1876 BC, the year after Amenemhet died.
b. The famine in the tablet, likely dates to year 25 of Sesostris I which is year 4 of Joseph in Egypt in 1895 BC (Low Chronology).
c. While neither inscription refers to the famine of Pharaoh’s dream, they show how just and caring the Egyptians were for others when famine did happen.
d. These two inscriptions of famine in Egypt are the only ones known during the 12 dynasty pharaohs.
e. The 1902 BC Nubian campaign in year 18 of Sesostris I refutes David Rohl’s flood-famine theory.
3. Reigns of Pharaohs:
a. Amenemhet I (Amenemhat) Sehetepibre': 1939-1910 BC
b. Sesostris I (Senwosret, Senusret) Kheperkare': 1920-1874 BC coregent with Amenemhet I 1920-1910 BC
c. Amenemhet II (Amenemhat) Nebukaure'1878-1843 (35) coregent with Sesostris I 1878-1874.
4. Biblical and Egyptian chronology:
a. 1902 BC: Nubian campaign of governor (nomarch) Amenemhet during the 18th regnal year of Senwosret I.
b. 1899 BC: Joseph sold into slavery to Potiphar: Genesis 37:36
c. 1895 BC: famine from low Nile flood reported in two inscriptions:
i. Nile Famine Tablet of Mentuhotep
ii. Nile famine inscription on door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet from Benihasan
d. 1888 BC: Joseph jailed after being falsely accused: Genesis 39:7-23
e. 1886 BC: Joseph interprets Sesostris I’s dream of 7 fat/thin cows/grain: Gen 41
f. 1886 BC: Joseph made ruler in Egypt: Genesis 41:40
g. 1886-1879 BC: 7 years of plenty.
h. 1879-1872 BC: 7 years of famine.
i. 1877: Date of inscription: Nile famine inscription on door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet from Benihasan
j. 1876 BC: Jacob enters Egypt: Genesis 46:3
5. Sources:
a. A Neglected Wisdom Text, UC 14333, Hans Goedicke, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, p31, Dec. 1962 AD
b. Ancient Records of Egypt: The First through the Seventeenth Dynasties, Breasted, James Henry, 1.515, p250, 1906 AD
c. Denkmaeler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien - Tafelwerke - Karl Richard Lepsius, Abth II, vol 2, plate 121, 1849 AD
I. Nile Famine Tablet of Mentuhotep: U.C. 14333
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Nile Famine Tablet of Mentuhotep: U.C. 14333 |
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Date of inscription |
1895 BC |
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Annal years |
18th regnal years of Sesostris I 1920-1874 BC (LC) |
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Glyptic object |
Hieroglyphic inscription on limestone tablet |
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Discovery |
Likely from Armant, Flinders Petrie in Luxor, c. 1895 AD |
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Current location |
University College, London: U.C. 14333 |
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Bible names |
Sesostris I, the dreaming pharaoh of Joseph |
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Bible texts |
Genesis 37:36; 39:7-23; ch 41; 46:3 |
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Historic events |
The famine dates to year 25 of Sesostris I which is year 4 of Joseph in Egypt in 1895 BC. |
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A. About the Tablet of Mentuhotep: U.C. 14333
1. “It is almost seventy years since Petrie purchased in Luxor a limestone stela [in AD 1985] which is now in the collection of University College, London, numbered U.C. 14333. The object, which most likely came from Armant, had suffered badly from salting, but fortunately it was possible to control the disintegration and save the inscription. An excellent copy was made by Griffith and published together with his study of the text. It has not been studied since. The unusual content of the stela makes it desirable to rescue it from long neglect.” (A Neglected Wisdom Text, UC 14333, Hans Goedicke, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, p25, Dec. 1962 AD)
2. “This particular low inundation was a disaster for all of Upper Egypt and appears to be referred to in inscriptions from several different places.” (A Neglected Wisdom Text, UC 14333, Hans Goedicke, Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, p31, Dec. 1962 AD)
3. “The year of famine [mentioned in the cliff tomb inscription of Amenemhet from Beni Hasan- see below] can be probably dated as Year 25 of Senwosret I. This is the attestation in the stela UC 14333, dated correctly in the reign of Senwosret I by Griffith, Berlev, and Schenkel and incorrectly in Dynasty 11 by Goedicke and Vandier followed by Stewart.” (Studies in the Twelfth Egyptian Dynasty III: Year 25 in the Era of the Oryx Nome and the Famine Years in Early Dynasty 12, William Kelly Simpson, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt , vol 38, p8, 2001 AD)
B. Translation of the Tablet of Mentuhotep: U.C. 14333: lines 1-16:
1. A king's offering to Osiris, lord of Busiris, the great god, lord of Abydos, may he give voice offerings of bread, beer, cattle, geese, thousands of calcite and linen and all good pure things for the leading nobleman, leading official, overseer of priests Mentuhotep, born of Hapi.
2. He says: I was steadfast and obedient, one to whom his lord gave his love. I was a great one to whom his lord gave his love. I was a great one of the privy chamber, attentive, free from tremor (?)
3. (but) not disrespectful towards a powerful man. Love of me was in the bodies of the courtiers, the great ones of the palace, and him who was enthroned there. (I was) one who entered the presence of his lord (with) the great ones behind him,
4. the doorkeepers bowing low until I reached the place where (His) Person was. Whenever I went out there, my heart was exalted, and my favour was in face of everybody. His Person did
5. these (things) for his servant on account of my obedience. He appointed me as a confidant of His Person in Armant, the foremost of his domain. The wise and the ignorant loved me; everyone praised god for me
6. asking for me a long life on earth, inasmuch as His Person favoured me more than others who had been in this town. I was one who brought up the youth, who buried the old and
7. any pauper. I gave bread to the hungry and clothing to the naked. I was a son of Nepri (grain-god), a husband of Tayt (cloth goddess), one for whom Sekhat-Hor (milk goddess)
8. made cattle exist, a possessor of riches consisting of all the treasurers of the abode of Khnum, the creator of man, when a low flood occurred during the twenty-fifth year [probably 1895 BC- see Door jamb cliff-tomb inscription of Amenemhet from Benihasan].
9. I did not let my district starve. I gave it Upper Egyptian grain and emmer. I did not let misery come to pass in it until high floods came. I nourished the children with
10. my donations, I anointed the widows. There was not a commoner miserable in my time. I strove to cause that I was beloved, so that my name might be good and that I might be vindicated
11. in the necropolis. I taught my children, to speak in contentment, kindness, I was not contesting with a commoner - no superior who is arrogant is beloved. I was well disposed to one who would tell his troubles
12. and to him who would pour out his heart. I investigated his case, I removed his misery, (for) a man should be placed according to what is right for him. Furthermore, I was silent when (my) wish was thwarted.
13. I bow down to everyone, not to avert the face from a starving man; the helping hand is what is beloved. Who is alone, O men there should not be any opposition to an inspector
14. (or) to any official of the administration, one saying only: Let thy heart be well-disposed. Do not be prejudiced against a petitioner until he has said what he has come for. The condition was reported to me of commoners,
15. and of widows and orphans likewise. I made their ... to succour him who had fallen into misery. The good character of a man is indeed (worth) more to him than thousands of gifts. The speech of (common) men is heard
16. as
that utterance of the highest one and the word of the great. The monument of a man
is his goodness; forgotten is who is evil of character. If it comes to pass as
has been said, my name will be good and enduring in my town, and my monument
will never perish.
(Source: A Neglected Wisdom Text, UC 14333, Hans Goedicke, Journal of
Egyptian Archaeology, p31, Dec. 1962 AD)
II. Nile famine inscription on door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet from Beni Hasan:
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Inscription of Amenemhet from Beni Hasan |
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Date of inscription |
1877 BC: 43rd year of Sesostris I (Senwosret, Senusret, Kheperkare) 1920-1874 BC (LC) |
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Annal years |
18th to 43rd regnal years of Sesostris I |
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Glyptic object |
Hieroglyphic inscription on rock door jamb of cliff-tomb |
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Discovery |
Jean-François Champollion in 1828 AD |
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Current location |
Tomb 2 (BH2): In situ door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet at Beni Hasan |
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Bible names |
Sesostris I, the dreaming pharaoh of Joseph |
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Bible texts |
Genesis 37:36; 39:7-23; ch 41; 46:3 |
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Historic events |
Nubian campaign of 1902 BC. Joseph enters Egypt in 1899 BC. Low Nile flood year in 1895 BC. |
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A. About the Nile famine inscription on door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet from Beni Hasan:
1. The tomb inscription dates to 1877 BC, which is year 3 of the famine of Joseph’s dream of the 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. Jacob entered Egypt in 1876 BC, the year after Amenemhet died. The famine in the tablet, dates to year 25 of Sesostris I which is year 4 of Joseph in Egypt in 1895 BC (Low Chronology). The Nubian campaign dates to year 18 of Sesostris I in 1902 BC.
2. “Amenemhet was one of the most powerful of the Benihasan princes. He succeeded his father Khnumhotep I, the founder of the Benihasan family, in the eighteenth year of Sesostris I, and ruled twenty-five years. He records three royal expeditions, the( first of which he accompanied as commander of the military contingent from his nome, in a war against Nubia. It cannot be certainly identified with any of the Nubian expeditions of Sesostris I recorded in other sources. The second and third expeditions were both for the purpose of bringing gold; the destination of the third was the mines back of Coptos, and that of the second, although not stated, was probably the same. The inscription concludes with an interesting and important description of Amenemhet’s administration of his principality.” (Ancient Records of Egypt: The First through the Seventeenth Dynasties, Breasted, James Henry, 1.515, p250, 1906 AD)
3. “The year of famine [mentioned in the cliff tomb inscription of Amenemhet from Beni Hasan] can be probably dated as Year 25 of Senwosret I. This is the attestation in the stela UC 14333 [see above], dated correctly in the reign of Senwosret I by Griffith, Berlev, and Schenkel and incorrectly in Dynasty 11 by Goedicke and Vandier followed by Stewart.” (Studies in the Twelfth Egyptian Dynasty III: Year 25 in the Era of the Oryx Nome and the Famine Years in Early Dynasty 12, William Kelly Simpson, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt , vol 38, p8, 2001 AD)
4. “The nomarch Amenemhet thus started his own "counting" with his return from the successful Nubian campaign in Year 18 of Senwosret I, weathered the famine crisis in the king's 25th year, and inscribed his tomb early in the king's 43rd year. This date is not necessarily that of his death.” (Studies in the Twelfth Egyptian Dynasty III: Year 25 in the Era of the Oryx Nome and the Famine Years in Early Dynasty 12, William Kelly Simpson, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt , vol 38, p8, 2001 AD)
B. The 1902 BC Nubian campaign of governor (nomarch) Amenemhet during the 18th regnal year of Senwosret I:
1. In 1902 BC the nomarch (governor) Amenemhet sailed down the Nile past the third cataract and conquered Nubia in year 18 of Senwosret I. This first campaign occurred only three years before Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers in 1899 BC. It demonstrates that Nubia was an enemy of Egypt at the time Joseph was in Egypt. Later during the 7 years of drought caused by a lack of rain in Nubia triggering low Nile floods, Nubia came to Egypt for their food.
2. David Rohl’s Flood Famine theory refuted: David Rohl splits the two dreams of Pharaoh into two different events. The thin cows represent famine caused by high monsoon rains in Nubia that triggered ultra-high flooding of the Nile causing famine. The thin ears of grain represent a lack of water in the rest of the world triggering drought. The 1902 BC Nubian campaign of governor (nomarch) Amenemhet during the 18th regnal year of Senwosret I falsifies David Rohl’s “flood famine” theory that requires 7 years of heavy rains in Nubia resulting in bumper crops, then 7 years of even heavier rains, resulting in even bigger bumper crops in Nubia. During the 7 years of drought from a lack of rain everywhere EXCEPT Nubia, the world could go to Nubia where fresh food continued to be harvested ever years while the rest of world starved. Rohl’s “flood famine” theory contradicts scripture that says the whole world had to come to Egypt for food. Even worse, Rohl’s erroneous famine in Egypt caused by ultra-high flood levels of the Nile because of rains in Africa, would strengthen and empower Egypt’s neighboring enemy in Nubia.
a. "When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth (except Nubia the enemy of Egypt, according to Rohl), then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. The people of all the earth came to Egypt (except Nubia the enemy of Egypt, according to Rohl) to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth (except Nubia the enemy of Egypt, according to Rohl)." (Genesis 41:56–57)
3. “(First Expedition to Cush in 1902 BC) I followed my lord when 7he sailed southward to overthrow his enemies among the four barbarians. I sailed southward, as the son of a count, wearer of the royal seal, and commander in chief of the troops of 8the Oryx nome, as a man represents his old father, according to [his] favor in the palace and his love in the court. I passed Kush, 9sailing southward, I advanced the boundary of the land, I brought all gifts; my praise, it reached heaven. Then 10his majesty returned in safety, having overthrown his enemies in Kush the vile. I returned, following him, with ready face. 11There was no loss among my soldiers.” (Nile famine inscription on door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet from Benihasan, lines 6-11, 1877 BC)
4. “Although this victorious expedition is not stated to be in a specific year in the nomarch's tomb, evidence from Nubia is actually extant. In the famous stela of Senwosret I from Wadi Halfa in Florence, the date of its erection (?) by the military commander Amu's son Mentuhotep is indicated as Year 18, I Proyet 8, of Senwosret I, which is some 83 days or approximately 3 months after the beginning of the nomarch's era. There is also a text of an jmy-r snwty Mentuhotep from Nag'el-Girgawi published by Zaba (RILN 74) dated as well in Year 18 of Senwosret I. Therefore the nomarch Amenemhet evidently returned from this important campaign, succeeded his aged father as nomarch, and dated his own era (counting) from this very year.” (Studies in the Twelfth Egyptian Dynasty III: Year 25 in the Era of the Oryx Nome and the Famine Years in Early Dynasty 12, William Kelly Simpson, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt , vol 38, p8, 2001 AD)
C. Translation of the Nile famine inscription on door jamb of cliff-tomb of Amenemhet from Benihasan: lines 1-21
1. (Introduction) 1Year 43 under the majesty of 2Sesostris I, living forever and ever; 3corresponding to year 25 (Amenemhet was appointed nomark in the 18th Regnal year of Sesostris I) in the Oryx nome with the hereditary prince, count, ⌜—⌝ Amen[emhet] (nomarch governor, not Pharaoh), triumphant. 4Year 43, second month of the first season, day 15. O ye who love life and hate 5death, say ye, 1,000 loaves and beer, 1,000 oxen and geese 6for the ka of the hereditary prince, count, ⌜—⌝, great lord of the Oryx nome, ⌜—⌝, attached to Nekhen, lord of Nekhbet, chief of prophets, Ameni, triumphant.
2. (First Expedition to Cush) I followed my lord when 7he sailed southward to overthrow his enemies among the four barbarians. I sailed southward, as the son of a count, wearer of the royal seal, and commander in chief of the troops of 8the Oryx nome, as a man represents his old father, according to [his] favor in the palace and his love in the court. I passed Kush, 9sailing southward, I advanced the boundary of the land, I brought all gifts; my praise, it reached heaven. Then 10his majesty returned in safety, having overthrown his enemies in Kush the vile. I returned, following him, with ready face. 11There was no loss among my soldiers.
3. (Second Expedition) I sailed southward, to bring gold ore for the majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Kheperkere (Sesostris I), living forever and ever. 12I sailed southward together with the hereditary prince, count, oldest son of the king, of his body, Ameni. I sailed southward, with a number, 400 of all the choicest of 13my troops, who returned in safety, having suffered no loss. I brought the gold exacted of me; I was praised for it in the palace; 14the king’s-son praised god for me.
4. (Third Expedition) Then I sailed southward to bring ore, to the city of Coptos, together with the hereditary prince, count, governor of the city and vizier, Sesostris. I sailed southward with a number, 600 15of all the bravest of the Oryx nome. I returned in safety, my soldiers uninjured; having done all that had been told me.
5. (Ameni’s Able Administration) I was amiable, and greatly loved, a ruler beloved of his city. Now, I passed years 16as ruler in the Oryx nome. All the imposts of the king’s house passed through my hand. The gang-overseers of the crown possessions of the shepherds of the Oryx nome gave to me 3,000 bulls in their yokes. I was 17praised on account of it in the palace each year of the loan-herds. I carried all their dues to the king’s house; there were no arrears against me in any office of his. The entire Oryx nome labored for me 18in ⌜— —⌝.
6. (Ameni’s Impartiality and Benevolence) There was no citizen’s daughter whom I misused, there
was no widow whom I oppressed, there was no ⌜peasant⌝ whom I repulsed, there was no shepherd whom I
repelled, 19there was no overseer of serf-laborers whose people I
took for (unpaid) imposts, there was none wretched in my community, there was
none hungry in my time. When years of famine came 20I
plowed all the fields of the Oryx nome, as far as its southern and northern
boundary, preserving its people alive and furnishing its food so that there was
none hungry therein. I gave to the widow as (to) her who had a husband; 21I
did not exalt the great above the small in all that I gave. Then came great
Niles [flooding returned], possessors of grain and all things, (but) I did not
collect the arrears of the field.
(Source: Ancient Records of Egypt: The First through the Seventeenth Dynasties,
Breasted, James Henry, 1.518-523, p251, 1906 AD)
Conclusion:
1. The two inscriptions provide insight during the time Joseph was in Egypt starting in 1899 BC.
a. The Nubian campaign of 1902 BC dates to the 18th regnal year of Sesostris I and refutes David Rohl’s flood famine theory.
b. The famine of 1895 BC dates to the 25th regnal year of Sesostris I.
2. Confirms the basic story of Egyptian altruism at the time of Joseph’s dreaming pharaoh: Sesostris I.
a. Both inscriptions demonstrate how the Egyptians were altruistic, fair, honest, just and concerned with helping the poor during the famine.
b. Joseph’s suggestion of storing up food during 7 bumper crop years to keep the world alive during the 7-year famine was exactly within the known character of the Egyptians during the 12th dynasty.
3. What you read in the book you find in the ground! Find me a church to attend in my hometown this Sunday!
By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.
