Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris
A Semitic dignitary honored with a tomb-statue in Egypt
Found 1986 — Manfred Bietak, Austrian Archaeological Institute excavations at Tell el-Dab'a (cemetery of Area F/I); fragments recovered 1986–1988, published by Robert Schiestl (2006)
Where Tell el-Dab'a (Avaris), Egypt (Egypt)
Dates from c. 1820–1750 BCE · Middle Bronze IIA (late 12th–13th Dynasty) · Yosef (Joseph) in Egypt
Now at Fragments held in Egypt by the Tell el-Dab'a excavation (Austrian Archaeological Institute); reconstruction drawing published by the excavators
How Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris was found
Fragments of a deliberately smashed limestone statue were found scattered in robbed tombs of the Area F/I cemetery (head and most pieces in tomb p/19-No. 1, strata d/2–d/1, late 12th–early 13th Dynasty) beside a palatial residence of Syrian plan; the head with its red 'mushroom' hairstyle and yellow skin marks the owner as Asiatic.
What it is
A seated limestone statue roughly twice life-size of a man with pale yellow skin, red mushroom-shaped hair, a multicolored striped garment, and a throw-stick over his shoulder, the Egyptian way of showing a Canaanite. It stood in a chapel beside a large house of Syrian plan.
Why it matters for the Bible
A Semite important enough to receive a large Egyptian-style statue and tomb in a Delta palace is a real example of the kind of career Genesis gives Yosef. Some popular writers identify the statue as Yosef himself because of its colorful coat and empty tomb; the excavators do not, and there is no inscription. It is best seen as evidence that foreigners could reach high office in Middle Kingdom Egypt.
The Hebrew word: mish-NEH
מִשְׁנֶה
מִשְׁנֶה is pronounced mish-NEH and means second (in rank); Yosef rode in the second chariot (Strong's H4932).
People this discovery connects to
- Joseph — יוֹסֵף (yo-SEF) — he adds
Places
- Goshen — גֹּשֶׁן (GO-shen) — Goshen (eastern Delta region)
Events
Yosef's rise to power in Egypt · Yosef's burial and later removal of his bones
Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris in Scripture
Genesis 30:24 First mention of Joseph in Scripture.
Genesis 41:41-43 Pharaoh sets Yosef over Egypt; the statue shows a Semite honored at this level.
Genesis 50:26 Yosef is embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt; the statue's tomb was found empty and the statue smashed.
Questions people ask
What is Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris?
A seated limestone statue roughly twice life-size of a man with pale yellow skin, red mushroom-shaped hair, a multicolored striped garment, and a throw-stick over his shoulder, the Egyptian way of showing a Canaanite. It stood in a chapel beside a large house of Syrian plan.
When was Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris discovered?
It was found in 1986 by Manfred Bietak, Austrian Archaeological Institute excavations at Tell el-Dab'a (cemetery of Area F/I); fragments recovered 1986–1988, published by Robert Schiestl (2006), at Tell el-Dab'a (Avaris), Egypt.
Where is Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris today?
Fragments held in Egypt by the Tell el-Dab'a excavation (Austrian Archaeological Institute); reconstruction drawing published by the excavators.
Which Bible verses does Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris relate to?
Genesis 30:24, Genesis 41:41-43, Genesis 50:26.
Is Statue of an Asiatic Official at Avaris authentic?
The statue and tomb are authentic; the identification with Yosef is popular but unsupported by inscription and not endorsed by the excavators.
Related discoveries
- כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּיםAvaris 'Asiatic Official' Statue and TombA smashed statue of a Semitic dignitary in a striped coat, beside a twelve-pillared house
- גֹּשֶׁןAvaris (Tell el-Dab'a)A Semitic city in the eastern Delta, in the land the Bible calls Goshen
- עַבְדִּיאֵלTomb of the Vizier Aper-ElA Semitic-named vizier of Egypt under Amenhotep III and Akhenaten
- עַצְמוֹתJoseph's Tomb at Shechem (Nablus)The domed shrine where tradition says Yosef's bones were buried; never excavated
- 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
- מֶלֶךְ חָדָשׁThe Hyksos Expulsion: Kamose's Stelae and Ahmose son of EbanaEgyptian records of driving out the Asiatic rulers, background to 'a new king who knew not Yosef'
Sources
- Bietak, 'Avaris: The Capital of the Hyksos' (1996), pp. 20–21
- Wikipedia: Avaris
- R. Schiestl, 'The Statue of an Asiatic Man from Tell el-Dab'a, Egypt', Ägypten und Levante 16 (2006), 173–185
- Ancient World Magazine, 'Displaying your identity: the statue of a Levantine man from Tell el-Dab'a'
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