Talk:Shasu
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[edit] Do we know anything else about the Shasu?
So far as I've heard, "Shasu" was a general term used by the Egyptians for the nomads of Sinai, Transjordan, and Palestine. Do we know what language they spoke? (Was it a Canaanite language, like the later peoples of those areas?) A connection with the Israelites (who spoke a Canaanite language) has been suggested; would that also suggest a connection with the Edomites, Moabites, Kenites, and Midianites, who were their cultural and linguistic relatives? In short, how much data do we actually have on the Shasu? --Rob117 05:27, 2 September 2005 (UTC)
THERE USED TO BE AN ENTRY IN EASTON'S BIBLE DICTIONARY +/- SMITH'S BIBLE DICTIONARY that linked the Shasu to Sheshai, the son of Anak, the son of Arba = Hebron = Hebrew and cognate with the SA.GAZ.
There have also been attempts to relate 'ly-'aneq' (mentioned in the Egyptian execration texts c.1800 bc) with the Anak of Canaan.--207.225.65.89 04:23, 10 April 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Exodus of Shasu.
There was an uprising of an alleged 200,000 Shasu attckers and their allies along the border of Egypt and Sinai mentioned on inscriptions from Karnak. Seti I routed them into Canaan, along with his son Ramesses II c. 1300 to 1290 bc.
This group likely included Apiru nd Shasu who worhsiped "Ywh" and later settled into Edom (Midian), and the Arabah, their original homeland. Later on some of these Shasu and Apiru settled into the Canaanite highlands and formed an ethnic identity of 'Israel' in the hills of Judah.
about 80 or 90 years after this massive war between the Shasu and Seti/Ramesses, we have Merenptah batteling the people of Israel in the higlands of Judah c. 1210.
The fact that Apiru and Shasu were slaves of War in Egypt's captivity c. 1500-1200 seems to suggest there is atleast a historical plausibility behind the stories of "Hebrews" and nomads in bondage in Egypt. Indeed, if the Apiru(Habiru), included the hebrews of the bible, then we do have some nuggets of historical likeliness.--207.225.65.89 05:42, 10 April 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Reply to above comment about Shasu
There was an uprising of an alleged 200,000 Shasu attckers and their allies along the border of Egypt and Sinai mentioned on inscriptions from Karnak. Seti I routed them into Canaan, along with his son Ramesses II c. 1300 to 1290 bc.
It was 20,000 not 200,000. Its supposed to be a group of Habiru and Shasu. Later, Egypt will use the term Shasu to anything that comes from the East. Just like Habiru, Shasu is more a generic term for the eastern groups.
This group likely included Apiru nd Shasu who worhsiped "Ywh" and later settled into Edom (Midian), and the Arabah, their original homeland. Later on some of these Shasu and Apiru settled into the Canaanite highlands and formed an ethnic identity of 'Israel' in the hills of Judah.
Midian is in Northwest Arabia, there are archeological proofs that Midian was only inhabited from 1300 to 1100 BCE. This corroborates the bible story (first when Moshe live with Jethro and second when he led the hebrews to Mt Sinai).
Moreover, Redford's idea about the origin of Biblical YHWH with a group called "Yhw in the land of Shasu" is pure speculation. The Shasu might well be the biblical Sinaite Susim (speculation again !). Yhw could be a chief, an Egyptian toponym, or a further ethnonym. We dont know if the Shasu worshipped only one god (this is very unlikely for a nomadic tribe). There is no evidence of Shasu people settling to Judea before Merenptha.
--Squallgreg 18:38, 10 June 2006 (UTC)
