Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El
A Semitic-named vizier of Egypt under Amenhotep III and Akhenaten
Found 1987 — Alain Zivie (French Archaeological Mission of the Bubasteion)
Where Bubasteion cliff, Saqqara (Egypt)
Dates from c. 1370–1340 BCE · Late Bronze Age IIA (18th Dynasty) · Sojourn (late-date view) or early Judges (early-date view)
Now at Tomb (Saqqara); grave goods in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, and the Imhotep Museum, Saqqara
How Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El was found
Found in a rock-cut tomb in the cliff of the Bubasteion at Saqqara, beneath later cat catacombs. The burial chamber, discovered in 1988, still held the coffins and grave goods of Aper-El, his wife Tauret and his son Huy.
What it is
A multi-level rock tomb with painted chapels and an intact burial chamber. Aper-El held the titles 'vizier', 'father of the god' and 'child of the nursery', meaning he was raised at court. His name is Semitic, 'servant of El' (Abdi-El), written with the Egyptian sign for 'Apiru'.
Why it matters for the Bible
Aper-El shows a man with a Semitic name and a Semitic god-element rising to the highest office under the pharaoh, raised in the royal nursery. That is the career the Bible gives Yosef (Joseph) and, in a different way, Moshe (Moses), 'brought up in Pharaoh's house'. It proves such a rise was possible in New Kingdom Egypt, though nothing links Aper-El himself to Israel.
The Hebrew word: av-dee-EL
עַבְדִּיאֵל
עַבְדִּיאֵל is pronounced av-dee-EL and means servant of El (the name Abdiel; compare Aper-El) (Strong's H5661).
People this discovery connects to
- Joseph — יוֹסֵף (yoh-SEF) — he adds
- Moses — מֹשֶׁה (moh-SHEH) — drawn out
Events
Yosef made second to Pharaoh · Moshe raised in Pharaoh's household
Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El in Scripture
Genesis 30:24 First mention of Joseph in Scripture.
Genesis 41:40 Yosef set over Pharaoh's house; Aper-El is a real Semitic-named vizier holding that rank.
Exodus 2:10 Moshe raised as the daughter of Pharaoh's son; Aper-El was a 'child of the nursery' raised at court.
Questions people ask
What is Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El?
A multi-level rock tomb with painted chapels and an intact burial chamber. Aper-El held the titles 'vizier', 'father of the god' and 'child of the nursery', meaning he was raised at court. His name is Semitic, 'servant of El' (Abdi-El), written with the Egyptian sign for 'Apiru'.
When was Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El discovered?
It was found in 1987 by Alain Zivie (French Archaeological Mission of the Bubasteion), at Bubasteion cliff, Saqqara.
Where is Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El today?
Tomb (Saqqara); grave goods in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, and the Imhotep Museum, Saqqara.
Which Bible verses does Tomb of the Vizier Aper-El relate to?
Genesis 30:24, Genesis 41:40, Exodus 2:10.
Related discoveries
- בָּרSaqqara 'Joseph's Granaries' Claim (Djoser's Step Pyramid Complex)Deep shafts and vaults said to be Yosef's grain stores; Imhotep said to be Yosef
- עַצְמוֹתJoseph's Tomb at Shechem (Nablus)The domed shrine where tradition says Yosef's bones were buried; never excavated
- בּוֹרDothan (Tell Dothan)The town where Yosef's brothers sold him
- יְאֹרBahr Yussef ('Joseph's Canal')A canal into the Fayum that tradition credits to Yosef
- כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּיםAvaris 'Asiatic Official' Statue and TombA smashed statue of a Semitic dignitary in a striped coat, beside a twelve-pillared house
- מִשְׁנֶהStatue of an Asiatic Official at AvarisA Semitic dignitary honored with a tomb-statue in Egypt
Sources
- Zivie, Découverte à Saqqarah: Le vizir oublié (1990)
- BAS: 'Abdiel, Egyptian Vizier and Servant of the God El
- Wikipedia: Aperel