This is an enlarged replica of the Jacob-Hr seal.

Between 1630 to 1530 BC, Egypt was ruled by foreigners named the Hyksos (see the Hyksos seal for more information). These rulers were Semitic, meaning that they came from the land that is modern day Israel. This is around the time that Jacob’s son Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery and would eventually become a ruler. Although not much is known of these Hyksos leaders, we know of one very important person because 30 of his royal scarabs have been found. The name, written on the scarab is Yaqub-har. “Yaqub is the exact transliteration of the Semitic name Jacob.” Although we do not know if this is the Jacob, the father of Joseph, the date, location, and people group fits very nicely. In fact, 9 of these Jacob HR scarabs were found in ancient Avaris, in Egypt. Avaris is an ancient Egyptian city that was clearly occupied by a semitic people. Those 9 scarabs were found in a large palace like structure near a large statue of a semitic male. Large sculptures were typically reserved for those in the royal family or high ranking officials. Could this statue be of Joseph?

See the article by archaeologist Christopher Eams, The Hyksos: Evidence of Jacob’s Family in Ancient Egypt? Published on the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology website.

*On loan from the Llewelyn Collection