The Merneptah Stele, also known as the Israel Stele or the Victory Stele of Merneptah, is an ancient Egyptian stone slab inscribed with a poetic hymn recounting the military victories of Pharaoh Merneptah. Discovered in 1896 at Thebes, Egypt, by Sir Flinders Petrie, the stele is significant because it contains the earliest known mention of Israel in any historical record. The inscription on the stele is written in Egyptian hieroglyphs and spans 28 lines.
Discovery
The Merneptah Stele was discovered in 1896 by Sir Flinders Petrie, a renowned British archaeologist, during his excavations at the ancient Egyptian capital city of Thebes. The stele was found broken into two pieces, in the funerary temple of Merneptah, the fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt. The stele was later restored and is now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Historical Context
The Merneptah Stele was created during a period of frequent conflicts between Egypt and its neighbors. Egypt faced numerous challenges from neighboring states, including the Hittites, Libyans, and various Canaanite city-states. The stele serves as a record of Merneptah’s victories over these adversaries, asserting his power and the stability of Egypt during his reign.
Notable Aspects
The Merneptah Stele’s most notable aspect is the mention of Israel, which provides crucial evidence of the existence of an Israelite population in Canaan during the late 13th century BCE. The stele’s inscription narrates various victories of Pharaoh Merneptah, with the relevant portion stating:
“Israel is laid waste; its seed is no more.”
This mention of Israel lends historical credence to the biblical narrative of the Israelites living in the region at that time. It also indicates that Israel was a distinct sociopolitical entity among the Canaanite city-states, as it is listed separately from other Canaanite cities mentioned in the inscription.
Year of Creation
The Merneptah Stele is believed to have been created circa 1208 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Merneptah, who ruled from 1213 to 1203 BCE. This dating is primarily based on the historical context and the timeline of Merneptah’s reign. The date of the stele is also consistent with the chronological references within the inscription, which detail specific military campaigns undertaken during Merneptah’s reign.
Relevant Quotations
The following excerpt from the Merneptah Stele mentions Israel:
“The princes are prostrate, saying ‘Peace!’
Not one raises his head among the Nine Bows.
Desolation is for Tjehenu;
Hatti is pacified;
Plundered is Pa-Canaan with every evil;
Carried off is Ashkelon;
Seized upon is Gezer;
Yanoam is made non-existent;
Israel is laid waste—its seed is no more;
Kharru has become a widow because of Egypt.
All lands together are pacified.
Everyone who was restless has been bound”
[Source: Rohl, D. (1995). A Test of Time. The Bible—From Myth to History. Vol. 1. Century. p. 168.]