Shasu of YHWH

Ruins of the Temple of Soleb are located in the ancient town in Nubia, today’s Sudan. This area was once owned and controlled by the Egyptian Empire and the temple dates to 1400 B.C. during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

This temple has many pillars depicting bound prisoners—each with an inscription indicating people who were considered enemies of Egypt. One pillar names the “Shasu (nomads) of YHWH” a reference to Jacob’s sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel. Even though they eventually were invited to live in Egypt, Israel was considered by most to be a nomadic people.

Below is an image taken by Benny Bonte showing an artists reconstruction of this unique pillar.