Performed Solomon Very Take an Egyptian Fiance?

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Maybe not Pharaoh’s Daughter. This coffin shelter belonged to a lady exactly who lived in Thebes while in the Egypt’s twenty-first Dynasty. Even though their particular identity hasn’t been kept, she seemingly have already been wealthy and you can belonged on the clerical class-because indicated because of the version of their unique coffin cover. The brand new woman stayed in the same day since Solomon’s bride-to-be, new unnamed daughter out of Pharaoh, could have stayed. 0.

His harem is provided with within 700 spouses and you will three hundred concubines (1 Leaders 11:3)-surely an exaggeration. Centered on 1 Leaders eleven, the guy together with grabbed foreign wives, a few of which added him to idolatry. Like, to meet up their Moabite spouses, he situated a beneficial shrine toward Moabite jesus Chemosh. The new biblical creator trembles with indignation whenever revealing Solomon’s falling-away.

It is not superior one to Solomon should friend themselves with queens on countries doing him. Such is royal arrange for of numerous kings through the ancient Near East history. Yet , what was outstanding is getting Solomon getting ily (step one Leaders step 3:1).

That was thus exceptional regarding it? Capture for example this exchange included in among famous Amarna Letters (c. 14th century B.C.E.), written by the latest Babylonian king Kadashman-Enlil II into Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III, more than three years through to the duration of Solomon:

Moreover, you my cousin, as i composed to you on marrying the child, in accordance with their practice of perhaps not giving (a child) you authored to me “Out of forever no daughter of king out-of Egypt is actually given to somebody.” … I blogged as follows … Upload me personally a gorgeous woman since if she was indeed the child. Who is going to say, “She is zero child of one’s king!” However, carrying on the decision, you haven’t sent somebody. 1

Predicated on biblical beginner Abraham Malamat, there clearly was just one other exemplory instance of a possible Egyptian princess being given to a different leader-so you’re able to Queen Nikmad from Ugarit, centered on a keen Ugaritic file depicting the newest from the ends up the queen most likely didn’t wed an authentic daughter of your pharaoh but rather a member of the regal harem. Brand new Greek historian Herodotus records one Queen Amasis away from Egypt even refused to bring his dbyses, king out-of Persia (Histories, Guide III:1). dos

The newest alliance away from Solomon and you can Egypt, in the event that true, was it really is an exception. Issue are, was just about it a bona fide happening otherwise a blank boast? Malamat’s example of Ugarit provides at the least a partial precedent. Certainly, the new Egyptian leader who gave an “Egyptian little princess” so you’re able to Nikmad went far above what Amenhotep III is actually prepared to manage into Babylonian monarch. A go through the biblical text message recounting Solomon’s marriage so you’re able to a keen Egyptian little princess appears to be under control.

King Solomon is famous for their understanding and you can, on top of other things, his of several arital relationships

At the conclusion of step one Kings dos, Solomon keeps consolidated their code. Part step 3 starts with cracking development: “Solomon developed a marriage alliance having Pharaoh, king out of Egypt, using the child out-of Pharaoh because the a partner, and you can providing their particular [to live on] in the city out-of David, up to the guy complete strengthening their palace, in addition to Forehead from YHWH, while the wall structure encircling Jerusalem” (author’s translation).

Credit: Photo Robin Stevens/CC from the-NC-ND 2

Fast toward 1 Kings nine:24: “Whenever Pharoah’s child went up about Town of David into the family [Solomon] had designed for their particular, then he fГҐ et glimt af hjemmesiden reconstructed the new Millo citadel.” Again, what states Pharaoh’s daughter primarily in terms of Solomon’s strengthening methods. Sadly, no-one has actually recognized our house otherwise palace Solomon is claimed to have designed for their Egyptian spouse, but some students keeps identified brand new Millo towards the therefore-called Stepped Stone Construction into the Jerusalem. step 3