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Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites

A caravan of 'Asiatics' entering Egypt in the days of the patriarchs

Beginnings & the Patriarchs · relief, ossuary / tomb · Accepted by scholars · found 1828

Painted Egyptian tomb scene of bearded men, women, and donkeys in colorful clothing
Photo: Image 1:A.D. Riddle Photograph of a 2-Dimentional object which is in the Public Domain, hence PD-Art applies Image 2: Brown University Photograph of a 2-Dimentional object which is in the Public Domain, hence PD-Art applies Image 3: Macquarie University Photograph of a 2-Dimentional object which is in the Public Domain, hence PD-Art applies · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons — The procession of Aamu (Asiatics) in the tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hasan.

Found 1828 — Recorded by Jean-François Champollion and Ippolito Rosellini (1828–29); fully published by Percy Newberry for the Egypt Exploration Fund (1893)

Where Beni Hasan, Minya Governorate, Egypt (Egypt)

Dates from c. 1890 BCE (reign of Senusret II) · Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty · Age of Avraham and Yitzchak; Semitic movement into Egypt

Now at In situ, Tomb BH3 at Beni Hasan, Egypt

How Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites was found

The rock-cut tomb of the governor Khnumhotep II (Tomb 3) was never lost; early Egyptologists copied its painted walls, and Newberry's survey made the scene famous.

What it is

A painted wall scene showing 37 'Aamu' (Asiatics) from the land of Shut led by a chief named Abisha (Ibsha), bringing eye-paint to the governor. Men, women, children, and donkeys are shown in bright multicolored woolen garments, with weapons, a lyre, and bellows.

Why it matters for the Bible

This is the clearest picture we have of what Semitic clans from Canaan looked like in the patriarchal age: their beards, colored tunics, donkeys, and trade goods. It matches Genesis's picture of families like Avraham's or Yaakov's going down to Egypt in times of need. The chief's name Abisha is West Semitic, like Abishai. It does not show any biblical person, and the famous 'coat of many colors' link is only an illustration, not proof.

The Hebrew word: ke-TO-net pas-SEEM

כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים

כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים is pronounced ke-TO-net pas-SEEM and means ornamented or long-sleeved tunic (Yosef's coat) (Strong's H3801 + H6446).

People this discovery connects to

Places

Events

Avram goes down to Egypt in famine · Yaakov's sons travel to Egypt · Yosef's colorful tunic

Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites in Scripture

Genesis 12:10 Avram goes to Egypt during famine, just as this painting shows Asiatics arriving with goods.

Genesis 30:24 First mention of Joseph in Scripture.

Genesis 37:3 Yosef's multicolored tunic; the painting shows the patterned woolen clothing of Semites of this era.

Questions people ask

What is Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites?
A painted wall scene showing 37 'Aamu' (Asiatics) from the land of Shut led by a chief named Abisha (Ibsha), bringing eye-paint to the governor. Men, women, children, and donkeys are shown in bright multicolored woolen garments, with weapons, a lyre, and bellows.

When was Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites discovered?
It was found in 1828 by Recorded by Jean-François Champollion and Ippolito Rosellini (1828–29); fully published by Percy Newberry for the Egypt Exploration Fund (1893), at Beni Hasan, Minya Governorate, Egypt.

Where is Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites today?
In situ, Tomb BH3 at Beni Hasan, Egypt.

Which Bible verses does Beni Hasan Tomb Painting of Semites relate to?
Genesis 12:10, Genesis 30:24, Genesis 37:3.

Related discoveries

Sources

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