'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West
The oldest known writing of the divine name, on a Nubian temple of Amenhotep III
Found 1957 — Michela Schiff Giorgini's Soleb expedition (1957–1977); the name-ring list published and discussed by Raphael Giveon (1964) and others
Where Temple of Amenhotep III, Soleb, northern Sudan; copy at Amarah West (Sudan)
Dates from c. 1390–1350 BCE (Soleb); c. 1279–1213 BCE (Amarah West) · Late Bronze Age (18th Dynasty; 19th Dynasty copy) · Sojourn / wilderness period, depending on Exodus date
Now at In place at Soleb (Sudan); Amarah West blocks partly in place and in the British Museum
How 'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West was found
The temple of Amenhotep III at Soleb has column bases carved with rings of bound captives, each labeled with a foreign land. One group reads 't3 š3sw yhw', 'the land of the Shasu of YHW'. Ramesses II later copied the same list at Amarah West.
What it is
Sandstone column drums carved with topographical lists. Six Shasu (nomadic) lands are named, among them 'Seir' and 'YHW'. The Shasu were tent-dwelling herders of the desert east and south of Canaan whom the Egyptians treated as troublesome outsiders.
Why it matters for the Bible
This is the earliest known appearance of the name YHW (YHVH) anywhere, about 1400 BCE, and it is tied to nomads in the region of Seir and Edom. That matches the Bible's own memory that YHVH 'came from Seir' and 'shone forth from Mount Paran'. It does not mention Israel, and scholars differ on whether YHW here is a god, a place, or a clan, but it shows the divine name was known among desert peoples south of Canaan in the very period of the Exodus and wilderness wanderings.
The Hebrew word: YHVH
יְהוָה
יְהוָה is pronounced YHVH and means The personal name of Elohim revealed to Moshe (Strong's H3068).
People this discovery connects to
- YHVH — יְהוָה (the Name (not pronounced)) — He is / He causes to be
Places
- Seir — שֵׂעִיר (seh-EER) — hairy, shaggy (mountain of Edom)
- Midian — מִדְיָן (mid-YAHN) — strife
Events
Moshe meets YHVH in Midian · YHVH comes from Seir and Paran
'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West in Scripture
Genesis 22:14 First mention of YHWH (the divine name) in Scripture.
Exodus 3:15 YHVH reveals His name to Moshe in the desert of Midian; the Soleb list puts that name among desert nomads at about this time.
Deuteronomy 33:2 'YHVH came from Sinai, rose up from Seir'; the Shasu of YHW are listed next to the Shasu of Seir.
Questions people ask
What is 'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West?
Sandstone column drums carved with topographical lists. Six Shasu (nomadic) lands are named, among them 'Seir' and 'YHW'. The Shasu were tent-dwelling herders of the desert east and south of Canaan whom the Egyptians treated as troublesome outsiders.
When was 'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West discovered?
It was found in 1957 by Michela Schiff Giorgini's Soleb expedition (1957–1977); the name-ring list published and discussed by Raphael Giveon (1964) and others, at Temple of Amenhotep III, Soleb, northern Sudan; copy at Amarah West.
Where is 'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West today?
In place at Soleb (Sudan); Amarah West blocks partly in place and in the British Museum.
Which Bible verses does 'Shasu of YHW' at Soleb and Amarah West relate to?
Genesis 22:14, Exodus 3:15, Deuteronomy 33:2.
Related discoveries
Sources
- Giveon, Les bédouins Shosou des documents égyptiens (1971)
- Wikipedia: Shasu
- Wikipedia: Soleb
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