Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone)
'Apiru who drag stone for the great pylon of Ramesses'
Found 1828 — Acquired by the Dutch government from Giovanni Anastasi's collection
Where Unknown (probably Memphis/Saqqara) (Netherlands)
Dates from c. 1250 BCE · Late Bronze Age IIB (19th Dynasty) · Israelite forced labor under Ramesses II (late-date view)
Now at Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden (Papyrus Leiden I 348)
How Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone) was found
Purchased with the rest of the Anastasi papyri; the main text is a book of magical spells, with an administrative note on the back (verso).
What it is
A hieratic papyrus. The verso holds an order to distribute grain rations 'to the soldiers and to the Apiru who are dragging stone to the great pylon of [the building] Ramesses-Miamun, Beloved of Maat', at a site in the Memphis area.
Why it matters for the Bible
This is the clearest Egyptian record of Apiru (Habiru) working as forced laborers on a building project of Ramesses II. Whatever the exact relationship between Apiru and Hebrews, the text shows foreign laborers of that name doing heavy construction for the pharaoh most often linked to the Exodus. Similar texts mention Apiru at quarries and wine-presses.
The Hebrew word: siv-LOHT
סִבְלֹת
סִבְלֹת is pronounced siv-LOHT and means burdens, forced labors (Strong's H5450).
Places
- Egypt — מִצְרַיִם (mits-RAH-yim) — Egypt
Events
Israel's forced labor under Pharaoh
Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone) in Scripture
Genesis 14:13 First mention of Hebrews in Scripture.
Exodus 1:11 Taskmasters set over Israel to afflict them with burdens; here Apiru labor gangs receive rations for hauling stone for Ramesses.
Exodus 5:13 Taskmasters press the laborers; the Leiden ration list shows the administrative side of such labor.
Questions people ask
What is Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone)?
A hieratic papyrus. The verso holds an order to distribute grain rations 'to the soldiers and to the Apiru who are dragging stone to the great pylon of [the building] Ramesses-Miamun, Beloved of Maat', at a site in the Memphis area.
When was Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone) discovered?
It was found in 1828 by Acquired by the Dutch government from Giovanni Anastasi's collection, at Unknown (probably Memphis/Saqqara).
Where is Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone) today?
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden (Papyrus Leiden I 348).
Which Bible verses does Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Apiru hauling stone) relate to?
Genesis 14:13, Exodus 1:11, Exodus 5:13.
Related discoveries
- דָּםIpuwer Papyrus (Leiden I 344)An Egyptian lament of chaos, often compared with the plagues, but from the wrong century
- עֶבֶדSeal of Ushna, Servant of AhazA carnelian seal of a royal official of King Ahaz
- אֱדוֹםPapyrus Anastasi VIA border official lets Shasu of Edom through the fort to the pools of Pithom
- נִינְוֵהFall of Nineveh Chronicle (BM 21901)Babylonian record of the destruction of Assyria's capital in 612 BCE, as Nahum foretold
- הַסֹּפֵרBaruch son of Neriah Bulla (unprovenanced)'Belonging to Berekhyahu son of Neriyahu the scribe' — Jeremiah's secretary, if genuine
- חוֹתָם'Jezebel' SealAn opulent Phoenician-style seal that may — or may not — have belonged to Ahab's queen
Sources
- Borghouts, The Magical Texts of Papyrus Leiden I 348 (1971)
- Rijksmuseum van Oudheden collection search
- Wikipedia, 'Ipuwer Papyrus' (Anastasi collection sold to the Dutch government in 1828; same Leiden I series)
- J. F. Borghouts, The Magical Texts of Papyrus Leiden I 348 (Brill, 1971)
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