Category: EGYPT


Syene, EGYPT

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April 27, 2012

For more photos see: Aswan, EGYPT

Syene is the southern most border of biblical Egypt. Noted at the first cataract  of the Nile.  The full extent of the land is described as being from the tower, a translation of the proper noun Migdol (Pelussium on the mediterranean) to Syene, the border of Ethiopia Ezek 29:10; 30:6 Syene is identified with modern Aswan, or the ancient Abu, an arabic term describing both Elephants and ivory trade that is now remembered in the Elephantine island to the immediate west of the modern city. This was a staging point for the ivory trade that was extended north from Africa. Aswan is a gradual morph of the ancient Egyptian name of Sun through the Coptic Sown or Seon

Syene was noted for its famous granites, used for the production of fine obelisks seen in unfinished obelisks to the north of the city, and within the quarries in the western deserts. This obelisk is of particular interest as it was constructed by Seti I the father of Rameses II, and the origins of the Ramesite dynasty that would stamp its authority throughout the middle east. His son Rameses II was most likely the Pharaoh from whom Moses was brought up, and fled into the land of Midiam from. The most famous obelisks in Heliopolis were constructed from this granite and are now seen in Cleopatra’s needle in London, the hippodrome in Istanbul the plazae in Roma and in New York.

The extent of the destruction of the land of Egypt under Nebuchadnezzar was to extend throughout these limits, and is a prefigure of the destruction of Egypt under the hand of a cruel lord Isa 19:4 the Gogian hosts headed by Russia who will invade Egypt with similar effect. Dan 11:43

googlemap: http://g.co/maps/swvj6

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The Mediterranean Sea

Filed under: EGYPT, GREECE, ISRAEL, ITALY, LEBANON, SYRIA, TURKEY — Leave a comment
July 25, 2011

[Photo courtesy NASA]

The Mediterranean Sea  is the largest inland sea of the world.   The word Mediterranean is a latin word meaning “in the middle of the lands” and so forms a geographical basin to which a number of countries are associated.

The sea is more saline than the Atlantic, and has little variation with tides. Hot winds affect the sea, in particular the hot dry sirocco from the Sahara causes considerable winds to ply the sea to the south. The sea was to become a highway for the transport of people and goods, and this was harnessed by the sea-peoples that invaded the southern coast of Israel and the Nile delta. This early invasion created the Philistine nation. The other famous naval power was the Phoenicians whose influences were felt even outside the basin past Gibraltar into the south-western  U.K.

The sea is given as a symbol of nations.  The nations are as a troubled sea, which cannot rest, casting up mire and dirt. Isa 57:20 Great nations were to arise like beasts from the sea Daniel 7 and Christ would predict that there would be signs in the sun moon and stars (political leaders) distress in the nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring Luke 21:25.  Can there be any more predictive illustration in the world than the current dilemmas found in the fiscal and political challenges facing the west and the middle east? There is no doubt the return of Christ as predicted in this chapter is imminent!

The sea is called “the great sea” in Num 34:6; Joshua 1:4; 9:1; 15:12,47; 23:4;Ezek 47:10,15,19,20; 48:28 mainly in references to borders of inheritance. It is also styled “great waters” Ps 107:23. So why mention the sea as borders? The sea was a natural boundary in its geographical form. The sea in symbol was a reference to others nations. Israel was selected as a people of God in contrast to the others nations. This would naturally make the faithful man whether of Israel or outside of Israel enquire why the distinction between Israel and other nations. The distinction was pointed at the time of their exodus with the separation of some of the plagues to only affect those in Egypt to the exclusion of Israel at Goshen. The pinnacle of which was seen in the slaying of firstborn sons, displaying the selection of families was only by the sacrifice to be given by deity. The only firstborns to be saved that evening were those within the houses of Israel, and those circumcised; a token of their faith in the operation of God.  Ex 12:43-51 This idea of the boundary of Israel as a nation separate to others is expanded in Isaiah 9:1-3 where those who sit in darkness are described as those “by way of the sea, Galilee of the nations”.

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Crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus, EGYPT

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July 8, 2011

The crocodile finds numerous references within the Bible. In antiquity the crocodile was noted particularly with the river Nile, and hence the incorporation into its scientific name. The Crocodile thus closely associated with the major supporter of fertility of the land of Egypt, and so it is no surprise to find the god of fertility Sobek in the form of the crocodile used by the Pharaoh as the progenitor and security of the people’s agricultural fortunes. Herodotus claimed that crocodiles were kept as well-kept pets in Egypt, and examples of eggs and mummified crocodiles have been found in Egyptian tombs.

In ancient times the crocodile was also found in Lake Moeris, [thought by some to be a parallel river to the Nile in very early Egyptian history] and in river Zarka or the Jabbok of the bible!

The Pharoah himself is equated with the crocodile by Ezekiel: ” Behold I (Yahweh) am against thee Pharaoh king of Egypt”, “the great dragon” that lieth in the midst of the streams” Ezek 29:3. Heb lit lengthened animal Isa 51:9; Ps 74:13. Here the crocodile lies as if it has control of its territory, but will die with the death of its river Isa 7:18. It’s attitude is The river is my own, I have made it for myself! Ezek 29:3. But God would make the rivers to dry up under the action of Nebuchadnezzar. In figure with the drying up of the river the exposed crocodile would become meat for the beasts and fowls Ezek 29:5.

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Jebel el Barkal, north Sudan, SUDAN

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June 25, 2011

Jebel Barkal, Sudan is on the northern bank of the Nile and located around 400 km north of Khartoum. It is famous as the centre of the previous Nubian empire. Erected on the stone cliffs was once a large gold disc, the symbol of Amun-Ra the god of upper Egypt. This disc is a common symbol used of Ra the sun god throughout Egypt, and forms part of the name Rameses [Son of Ra].  Around 1450 Thutmoses III extended his area of influence to the south combining upper and lower Egypt into one empire. Later the lower kingdom became the kingdom of Cush.  http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=18.601876,31.893396&hl=en&ll=18.596873,31.88653&spn=0.024283,0.068493&sll=18.533333,31.833333&sspn=0.169311,0.256119&num=1&t=h&z=15

Principal in the story of Gebel Barkal was Piye ruling ca747-716BC who erected both a victory stelae and records of a celebration of the Sed festival [literally tail, from the vestiges of animal skins used in the costumes of the Pharaoh] celebrating the continuing honour of the office of the Pharaoh.

Piye had taken advantage of the disunity in lower Egypt (north) and having both a strong and motivated military force marched north with the intention not to destroy but to re-establish the grandeur of the former glories of Egypt. He saw himself as the supporter of the real religious fervour of Egypt and endeavoured to establish consolidated and more pure Egyptian worship, his soldiers undertaking cleansing rituals before each battle. He marches north to hold the “beautiful” festival or Ophet at Thebes (Modern Luxor) and his attendance attests that he was the king of middle Egypt. During the festival during September 6-10 the tokens of the god Amun-Ra were carried from Karnak to Thebes on the eastern bank of the Nile to celebrate the inundation season that ran through to early January. The procession would stop at various intervals at chapels to celebrate until the final arrival at the royal barge where the king was coronated, and considered the god of the universe. [Incidentally there were three seasons of 120 days: inundation, harvest and emergence with an annual festival of 5 days making a 365 day year. An additional  day was added equivalent to our leap year, and is described on the Rosetta stone]. After confirmation of his position in middle Egypt he marches north taking Hermopolis and Memphis. and the various kings of the delta then submit to him, and several continue as vassals. On his return home he was consecrated again as Pharoah and at his death was buried in a Pyramid, the first in over 500 years!

Piye was succeeded by Shabaka 716 BC to 702 BC.  Sargon II (722-705 BC) of Assyria outlined in an inscription found in 1999  at Tang-i Var [confirmed at 706 BC—that it was Shebitku (702 BCE to 690), Shabaka's successor, whose concord with Assyria saw Iamanni of Ashdod as co-regent king of Egypt] see Isa 22:1.

The inscription reads:  “(line 19) I (Sargon) plundered the city of Ashdod, Iamani, its king, feared [my weapons] and…He fled to the region of the land of Meluhha and lived (there) stealthfully (literally:like a thief). (20) Shapataku’ (Shabatka) king of the land of Meluhha, heard of the mig[ht] of the gods Ashur, Nabu (and) Marduk which I had [demonstrated] over all lands…(21) He put (Iamani) in manacles and handcuffs…he had him brought captive into my presence.” Following the death of Sargon II in 705BC the early conciliatory policy with Assyria was changed to an active resistance to Sennacherib’s movement into Israel

Shebitku (or Shabatka) Now here’s where it gets very interesting. Piye was the father of numerous children, but from a biblical standpoint the most famous was Taharqa whose forces on the backbone of Piye’s successes would stand against the Assyrians. Strabo indicates he considered Taharqa the most illustrious military genius of history (5) The Kawa Stella indicates that the brothers of Shebitku including Taharqa assisted in the resistance against the Assyrians leading to the battle against the Assyrians at Eltkeh 701BC.  Another inscription lists the king of Cush marching against Sennacherib while they were engaged at Jerusalem [ref]  confirming the biblical testimony of 2 Kings 19:9; Isa 37:9 and around 10 years before the official commencement of the reign of Taharqa in his own right. This provided Jerusalem with a short breathing space before the conquest against Hezekiah commenced in earnest.

So that in 690 BC, Shebitku died and was succeeded by Taharqa, his younger brother or cousin(?).

Esarhaddon 681–669 BC the youngest son of Sennacherib led several campaigns into Egypt, en route he subdued Sidon in 677 [renaming the harbour Kar-Ashur-aha-iddina, or the "Harbor of Esarhaddon"] The region of Tyre became a turncoat to Sidon during this campaign and some of the loot from invasions of Israel ended up in the puppet king, Baal I of Tyre. (the kings of Judah, Edom, Moab, Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, Byblos [biblical Gebal] Arvad, Samsiuruna, Ammon and Cyprus were allied with Assyria. A battle in 676BC seems to have been a stalemate or failure with Egypt. Returning in 671BC following discipline of rebellious Tyre and Ashkelon, there was direct confrontation with Taharqa with the presence of Esarhaddon in person in 699BC, and ended in a rout.  Memphis fell and Taharqa fled south. Esarhaddon now gave himself the title king of Egypt, Patros and Cush, Taharqa’s son was taken captive, but as soon as the Assyria left Egypt again rebelled.

Further evidence of Taharaqa can be seen in the  Osiris temple at Thebes where Taharqa assisted Shebitku to complete the decorations. On his death he was buried at Nuri http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ll=16.938403,33.749163&spn=0.003074,0.008562&sll=16.938367,33.74915&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&t=h&z=18

[Kawa, Sudan is on the eastern bank of the Nile opposite Dongola, and between the 3/4 cataracts] http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=kawa+sudan&hl=en&ll=19.120841,30.485687&spn=0.193656,0.547943&t=h&z=12

A full description of the stelae and the meaning of the inscriptions can be read here: http://siam.academia.edu/RobertGozzoli/Papers/319058/Kawa_V_and_Taharqos_ByAwt_Some_Aspects_of_Nubian_Royal_Ideology

[Tangi-Var is adjacent to Palangan, Kordestan, Iran (1,2,3,4)  http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=35.068327,46.557913&hl=en&ll=35.068502,46.557269&spn=0.020969,0.068493&sll=35.074122,46.552849&sspn=0.083872,0.273972&num=1&t=h&z=15

ref: (1) Frame,G., (1999) The Inscription of Sargon II at Tang-i Var, Orientalia 68 , pp.31-57 (2) Kahn, D., (2001) "The Inscription of Sargon II at Tang-i Var and the Chronology of Dynasty 25," Orientalia 70, pp.1-3 (3) Redford, D. B.(1999), A note on the chronology of Dynasty 25 and the inscription of Sargon II at Tang-i Var, Orientalia 68:58-60. (4) Sarfaraz. A., (1968-69)Sangnibistah-i mihî-i Urâmânât" [A cuneiform inscription on rock from Urâmânât], Majallah-i Barrasîhâ-i Târîkhî 3:13-20. (5) Snowden: Before Color Prejudice: The Ancient View of Blacks. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1983, pp.52

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A Ship of Alexandria, Al Iskandariyah, EGYPT

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June 20, 2011

The horse trainers, Castor and Pollux were in greek mythology twin brothers of the same mother (Leda), but different fathers (Tyndareus and Zeus/Jupiter).  The two sons were the patrons of mariners, and manifest in St Elmo’s fire in the rigging of ships.  The two sons were celebrated on the victory of Lake Regillus 495BC. A temple was built to celebrate this victory in the roman forum, and today is celebrated outside the parliament house in Italy (See previous post)

After three months on Malta, Paul was to join a ship of Alexandria flying under the colours of Castor and Pollux to travel to Syracuse. Acts 28:11,12

Both Syracuse and Alexandria represented some of the greatest trading centres on the Mediterranean.

Syracuse was a Phoenician trading port, and it was through here that the goods of Tyre and Sidon were traded. Hippocrates overran the port in 498BC and attempted to remove the Phoenician influence from the western part of the island, but unsuccessfully. Continued dispute between the Carthaginian empire and the Romans was to continue through the Pyrric wars until the final defeat of Hannibal at the gates of Rome and the subsequent destruction of Carthage in 146BC when the city fell to Scipio Aemilianus: “Delanda est Carthago”   The attempts of the Pyrrhic wars [aptly demonstrated by the final death of Pyrrus 272BC by a random tile flung from a rooftop by a woman at Argos has echoes of the woman at Thebez] were prolonged and ineffective against the men of Carthage. It later became the nature of the Vandals who invaded the Roman empire leading to a protracted struggle for the same territory. Rev 8


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Alexandria was an attempt by Greece to replace the influence of Tyre and Sidon on the world scene. After the humiliating Tyre siege, Alexander proceeded to Egypt and set up one of 23 (?) cities named after himself as the new centre for Grecian influence in Egypt. It started a tradition of Grecian influence in Egypt under Soter and his successors known as the Ptolemaic empire or in biblical terms “the king of the south” which will continue until the time of the Russian invasion Dan 11.  The city now more famous for its costal corniche cafes than for trade, contained a world famous harbour, the entrance marked by the Pharos, and enormous lighthouse commissioned shortly after the death of Alexander by Soter in 305BC and finished under his son Ptolemy Philadelphus. It’s base was marked by the dedication to the “saviour gods” [His name Ptolemy Soter] and later celebrated on the flags of its ships in the form of Castor and Pollux. Tritons held each corner, and a statue of Poseidon finished the celebration to everything apart from God himself as the protector of the mariners. A smaller version to celebrate the lighthouse can be seen at Lake Meriout on the western extremities of the Nile delta. [Incidentally the arabic word for lighthouse is minaret having the same root word as menorah in the Aramaic nur meaning fire. It seems that Pharos may have been the inspiration for the minarets so commonly seen throughout arabic lands]
Pharos at Lake Meriout: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=30.947912,29.523654&num=1&t=h&sll=37.051958,15.272284&sspn=0.041032,0.136986&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=30.947994,29.522645&spn=0.002756,0.008562&z=14&output=embed
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One further important thing happened at Alexandria. Apart from the Pharos, the city became famous for its library. Again as a result of the antagonism with the Phoenician empire, and in particular the city of Byblos, known for its parchments.  As an adjunct of this, a group of 72 men were held within 72 chambers and asked each to independently write a copy of the hebrew scriptures in greek. This document known as the Septuagint [Greek: ἡ μετάφρασις τῶν ἑβδομήκοντα / Latin: Interpretatio septuaginta virorum, "interpretation of the seventy men," ]  or it’s abbreviation as LXX, also included some other mystic and historical books such as the books of Maccabees, Judith etc. and are known as the Apocrypha. The important impact of this translation was seen through the use of the greek language. Instantly the scriptures were able to be read throughout the whole world, and the scriptures could be discussed outside the synagogue. This would be vastly important particularly for the work of Paul and others in his footsteps.

The modern Library, Alexandria, Egypt: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Pharos+Egypt&aq=&sll=31.147282,29.860625&sspn=0.011,0.034246&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=%C3%8Ele+de+Pharos&ll=31.202047,29.870968&spn=0.002748,0.008562&t=h&z=14&output=embed
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