YHW(H) - In the Land of the Shasu

[Jayhawker Soule]

In the 18th century BCE a Semitic people called the Hyksos flowed into the Delta and ruled Egypt during much of the Second Intermediate Period (1782-1570 BCE). They were finally driven out by Amose I. This was the birth of Egypt's 'New Kingdom'. Among the groups driven back into the Levant were a Bedu like group known as the Shasu.

The 'Land of the Shasu' in the mountainous districts of Se'ir east of the Araba [the valley south of the Dead Sea] has an interesting consequence for one name in the mentioned lists from Soleb [northern Sudan] and Amarah [south of Cairo] -- 'Yhw (in) the land of the Shasu.' For half a century it has been generally admitted that we have here the tetragrammaton, the name of the Israelite god, 'Yahweh'; and if this be the case, as it undoubtedly is, the passage constitutes a most precious indication of the whereabouts during the late fifteenth century B.C. of an enclave revering this god.

And while it would be wrong to jump to the conclusion that 'Israel' as known from the period of the Judges or the early monarchy was already in existence in Edom at this time, one cannot help but recall the numerous passages in later Biblical tradition that depict Yahweh 'coming froth from Se'ir' and originating in Edom. The only reasonably conclusion is that one major component in the later amalgam that constituted Israel, and the one with whom the worship of Yahweh originated, must be looked for among the Shasu of Edom already at the end of the fifteenth century B.C.

- Egypt, Canaan and Israel in Ancient Times, by Donald B. Redford

In sum, therefore, we may state that the memory of the Hyksos expulsion did indeed live on in the folklore of the Canaanite population of the southern Levant. The exact details were understandably blurred and subconsciously modified over time, for the purpose of 'face-saving.' It became not a conquest but a peaceful descent of a group with pastoral associations who rapidly arrived at a position of political control. Their departure came not as a result of an ignominious defeat, but either voluntarily or as a flight from a feud, or yet again as salvation from bondage.

- ibid

Who could have guessed that these lowly Shasu would find themselves in the highlands of the Levant, comingled with the West Semitic (Canaanite) followers of El, and forming what would later be called Israel?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It frankly surprises me that no one finds this worthy of comment.

 

[linwood]

I noticed the post earlier Deut but was distracted by the maniacal 4 year old running around here.

I hadn`t really read much of it until I just saw it pop up in the Todays Posts list with your "Bump"

Are the implications what I think they are or am I misunderstanding?

Those implications being of the Exodus?

Regardless where did he get this info and who is he?

 

[HelpMe]

It frankly surprises me that no one finds this worthy of comment.

ad hominem


but seriously, what do you suppose is the signifigance of this?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

ad hominem

Sorry, but that was really stupid.

 

[linwood]

Deut,

Are you going to elaborate or keep me guessing?

Is this evidence for the beginnings of the Exodus legends?

Here`s what I`m getting from it.

This shasu was kicked out of Egypt by a Pharoah.

They roamed around until finally settling in what is now known as Isreal/Palestine.

I thought scholars were of the opinion that the Exodus legend spoke of a time much earlier than 1500 BC.

I don`t have access to this book so cannot find where he got this info.

 

[HelpMe]

Sorry, but that was really stupid.

so was your unobjective article.

way to address the statement i made and not the question i asked?

 

[anders]

Why I didn't comment earlier? I had gone to bed when the OP was posted, and didn't wake up until after the second post. I found the thread just now.

But I won't comment. This is too difficult a question. I have tried a couple of times to make up my mind about it, because it is so significant for the (proposed) history of Israel and political claims reaching into our time.

Some day, I might try to combine the Shasu thing with my theory that the Israelites weren't the bloodthirsty invaders of the stories in the Bible, slaughtering their way into Palestine from the south, but originally Bedouins who peacefully and gradually came into Palestine from the east, leaving their herding and taking up agriculture.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Are you going to elaborate or keep me guessing?

I'll do the best I can ...

First, as to Professor Redford:

• he is the Editor-in-chief of the The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt,
• information about him can be found here,
• a review of the quoted book is offered here, and
• the book can be purchased here for under $20.

I thought scholars were of the opinion that the Exodus legend spoke of a time much earlier than 1500 BC.

See, for example, the very interesting and well written Biblical Archaeology: The Date of the Exodus According to Ancient Writers.

I don`t have access to this book so cannot find where he got this info.

References to the Shasu are found on pages 153, 203, 228f, 269-273, 275, 277-280, 318, 365, and 444, along with dozens and dozens of references to solid, peer-reviewed archaeology. For $20, I encourage you to order the book.

 

[Lazarus]

This supports the fact that the term Mizraim after which the Egyptians were called in the bible does mean- those who came out of Israel

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

This supports the fact that the term Mizraim after which the Egyptians were called in the bible does mean- those who came out of Israel

Nonsense.