Pharaoh Yaqub-Har

Yaqub-Har

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Yaqub-Har (Other spellings: Yakubher), also known as Yak-Baal^[1] was a pharaoh of Egypt during the 17th or 16th century BCE. As an Asiatic ruler during Egypt's fragmented Second Intermediate Period, Yaqub-Har time is difficult to locate chronologically.

While he is occasionally described as a member of the Hyksos based 15th dynasty, the Danish specialist Kim Ryholt has suggested that Yaqub-Har was actually one of the last kings of the 14th Dynasty.^[2] This is because while the early Hyksos kings are known to have used the title heka-khawaset in their reigns such as Sakir-Haror Khyan--at least early in the latter king's reign before he chose the prenomen Seuserenre. Later Hyksos kings such as Apophis simply adopted a prenomen—like the 14th dynasty kings. Yaqub-Har himself always used a prenomen or royal name, Meruserre, in his reign which strongly suggests that he was rather a member of the Asiatic 14th dynasty which preceded the Hyksos. Meruserre means 'strong is the love of Re.' The 14th Dynasty of Egypt was an Asiatic dynastic which ruled in the Delta region—like the Hyksos. Ryholt has suggested that the name Yaqub-Har had a West Semitic origin.^[3]

The Ancient Egyptians blamed the Hyksos for conquering their country. The truth may have been a somewhat more benign and gradual process of integration.^[4]

In Exodus Decoded filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici suggested that he was the Patriarch Jacob on the basis of a signet ring found in the Hyksos capital Avaris that read "Yakov/Yakub" (from Yaqub-her), similar to the Hebrew name of the Biblical patriarch Jacob (Ya'aqov). Jacobovici ignores the fact that Yaqub-Har is a well-attested to Egyptian pharaoh of the Second Intermediate Period; and Yakov and variants are common Semitic (not just Hebrew) names from the period. Furthermore, Jacobovici provides absolutely no explanation as to why Joseph would have a signet ring with the name of his father Jacob, and not his own, which is a modern-day equivalent of signing legal contracts with a signature of one's father.^[5]

Preceded by Sheshi?

Pharaoh of Egypt

Succeeded by ?

[edit]See also

• 14th Dynasty

[edit]References

1. ^ Iorwerth Eiddon Stephen Edwards, ed (1970). Cambridge Ancient History. C. J. Gadd, N. G. L. Hammond, E. Sollberger. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 59.ISBN 0521082307.
2. ^ Kim Ryholt, The Political Situation in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period c.1800-1550 B.C." by Museum Tuscalanum Press, 1997. p.96
3. ^ Ryholt, pp.99-100
4. ^ Morris L. Bierbrier (1989). The Tomb-Builders of the Pharaohs. American University in Cairo Press. p. 146. ISBN 9774242106.
5. ^ Higgaion » The Exodus Decoded: An extended review, part 4