Zenon Papyri
A Ptolemaic official's files from a 259 BCE trip through the land of Israel, naming Tobias the Ammonite chief
Found 1914 — Egyptian farmers digging for fertilizer at Philadelphia (Kom el-Kharaba el-Kebir) in the Fayyum, winter 1914–15; published by Campbell Edgar, Vitelli and others
Where Philadelphia, Fayyum (Egypt)
Dates from 261–229 BCE · Ptolemaic · Ptolemaic rule of Judea between Ezra-Nehemiah and the Maccabees
Now at Egyptian Museum, Cairo; University of Michigan; Columbia University; British Museum; Florence (PSI)
How Zenon Papyri was found
The archive of Zenon, steward to the finance minister Apollonius, was sold in parts to Cairo, Florence, Michigan, Columbia and the British Museum.
What it is
About 2,000 Greek papyri: letters, accounts and contracts. Some 40 concern Zenon's inspection tour of Syria and Palestine in 259–258 BCE, visiting Gaza, Marisa, Jerusalem, Jericho, the Galilee and the estate of 'Toubias' in Ammanitis, from whom Apollonius received slaves and exotic animals.
Why it matters for the Bible
The papyri give the only detailed look at Judea under the Ptolemies, a century almost silent in the Bible. They show Toubias, head of the Tobiad family of Nehemiah's enemy, as a wealthy Ptolemaic cavalry commander trading in slaves, and they record Jewish villages, the wine trade and the taxes that shaped the world Ben Sira and the Maccabees knew. They also mention Jerusalem and Jericho as stops for a royal financial agent.
The Hebrew word: MAHS
מַס
מַס is pronounced MAHS and means tribute, forced labor or tax (Strong's H4522).
People this discovery connects to
- Tobiah (Toubias) — טוֹבִיָּה (to-vee-YAH) — YHVH is good
Places
- Ammon — עַמּוֹן (ah-MONE) — people of the kinsman
- Jericho — יְרִיחוֹ (ye-ree-CHO) — place of fragrance
Events
Ptolemaic administration of Judea · Tobiad power in Transjordan
Zenon Papyri in Scripture
Daniel 11:5-6 Daniel's 'king of the south' (the Ptolemies) ruling the land; the papyri are the working files of that rule.
Nehemiah 2:10 First mention of Tobiah in Scripture.
Nehemiah 6:17-18 Tobiah's marriage alliances with Judah's nobles; the papyri show his descendants still powerful a century and a half later.
Questions people ask
What is Zenon Papyri?
About 2,000 Greek papyri: letters, accounts and contracts. Some 40 concern Zenon's inspection tour of Syria and Palestine in 259–258 BCE, visiting Gaza, Marisa, Jerusalem, Jericho, the Galilee and the estate of 'Toubias' in Ammanitis, from whom Apollonius received slaves and exotic animals.
When was Zenon Papyri discovered?
It was found in 1914 by Egyptian farmers digging for fertilizer at Philadelphia (Kom el-Kharaba el-Kebir) in the Fayyum, winter 1914–15; published by Campbell Edgar, Vitelli and others, at Philadelphia, Fayyum.
Where is Zenon Papyri today?
Egyptian Museum, Cairo; University of Michigan; Columbia University; British Museum; Florence (PSI).
Which Bible verses does Zenon Papyri relate to?
Daniel 11:5-6, Nehemiah 2:10, Nehemiah 6:17-18.
Related discoveries
- הָעֶבֶד הָעַמֹּנִיQasr al-Abd and the 'Tobiah' InscriptionsThe Tobiad family estate east of the Jordan, with the name Tobiah carved over its caves
- גֵּרוּשׁLetter of Claudius to the Alexandrians (P.Lond. 1912)Papyrus decree of 41 CE on Jewish–Greek strife — context for Claudius' expulsion of Jews from Rome
- רָעָבThe Famine Stela (Sehel Island)A Ptolemaic rock inscription telling of seven years of famine under Djoser
- סֶלַעPetra: Nabataean Capital of Aretas IVThe rock-cut city ruled by the king whose governor tried to arrest Paul, and the 1993 church papyri
- קֶבֶרNazareth Inscription (Decree of Caesar)Greek edict threatening death for tomb-robbing — once tied to the empty tomb, now traced to Kos
- טַבַּעַתThe 'Pilate' Ring from HerodiumCopper-alloy ring reading 'of Pilatus' in Greek, found 1968–69 and read in 2018
Sources
- Tcherikover, Corpus Papyrorum Judaicarum I (1957), nos. 1–11
- Wikipedia: Zenon of Kaunos