FatherMithras

"A line of hieroglyphics in a temple mnument commemorating the military conquests of Pharoh Merneptah, a son of Ramses II, during a campain in Canaan in 1207 B.C. Included in a boastful listing of vanquished enemies is a line declaring 'Israel is laid waste.'"

I was just given this quote by a friend of mine who is usually a very trustworthy person. He is unable to find the source, but could anyone tell me if this is actually backed by evidence or not? Thanks!

WILLOWTREE

I just want to point out that your inquiry assumes the evidence in question is not true.

Usually, this type of starting assumption is never overcome.

WT

Javaman

WILLOWTREE, a helpful post yours is not. Less time focused on worldview and more on debate and information would serve you well. Your obsession is offputting.

To the OP, the Merneptah Stela is what this quote is from. I'll try to post more later but a quick googling should get you started.

ETA: Here is a quick summary with a picture of the passage in question.

ETA (more): The stela in question is at Merneptah's funereal temple and is alternately referred to as the victory stela or, more commonly, the Israel stela.

FatherMithras

Actually Willowtree, I must concede that you are right. I'm starting with the assumption that this is not true. however, I don't have a source saying where it came from, and it contradicts what I've read previously. I did not mean to be negative, and just want input on the quote.

Willowtree, I'm happy to see such a civil post regarding a criticism of something you believe. It takes maturity to do that.

Javaman

Whether civil or not, it wasn't helping you find the answer to your question.

spin

As Java(©)man's link indicates, the Merneptah Stele with its reference to Israel is certainly real.

It does need some comment though.

1. nouns often have determinators saying what kind of word it is; Israel's determinator is "people"; this is further demonstrated in the line "Israel is laid waste, his seed is not" with the words "his seed is not", ie we are not dealing with a place;
2. Merneptah's list regarding Canaan is following an itinerary: first Ashkelon on the southern coast, then up to Gezer, further north to Yanoam at the south end of the Sea of Galilee, then this Israel, so this people, Israel, is somewhere in the vicinity of Yanoam;
3. Except for the Canaan section, the inscription is generic in its references such as Hatti and Hurru and the nine bows, so it would seem more likely that the Canaan section happened than that the scribe merely copied it from elsewhere, as the rest may have been.

spin