Sunday, January 13, 2019

Joseph and Imhotep?

NOTE Edited on Wednesday 26th August 2020.


I've done another thorough study of Imhotep and Joseph and the similarities between Imhotep and Joseph are pretty convincing despite that there are some seeming differences. It looks like Imhotep must be an Egyptian rendering of the name Joseph. Imhotep's name is variously rendered Imhotep / Iemhetep / Iimhtp / Iu-em-hept / *Ja-im-hatap / Jjmhtp / Imouthes, and some of these renderings are similar to Joseph/Yahuwseph especially if the -em- is omitted like in similar Egyptian names/words such as Shemsu/Shasu, Romt/Rot, Aa-en-ru/Aaru. So Ron Wyatt and Dr Lennart Moller seem to be right about Joseph being Imhotep. (Not sure who came first Wyatt or Moller?) Meanwhile it also seems that Joseph as Zaphenath matches Sekhemhet as I said in my article on that, and if this is not wrong then we have matches for both names Joseph and Zaphenath in the same time. In addition we can add the discovery that Jacob certainly seems to match Khufu/Cheops of the 4th dynasty (the dynasty just after the one that Imhotep was in). To further prove the match we also need to find matches for the other persons etc in the story of Joseph (Potiphar, Potiphera, Asenath, etc).
Below are the similarities and differences between Imhotep and Joseph that I have collected together. Though most of the details about Imhotep are only from much later traditions/legends and not many are from contemporary records. The Sahel/Philae inscription account of the famine is a very late record (Ptolemaic dynasty).

Imhotep: His name is Imhotep/Iemhetep/Iimhtp/Iu-em-hept/*Ja-im-hatap/Jjmhtp/Imouthes.
Joseph: His Hebrew name is Joseph/Yahuwseph/Joses/Asaph and his Egyptian name is Tafneos/Zaphenath-paneah/Psothom-phanech.
The three names are different. Though Ja & hotep is similar to Joseph in English and the -em- could be omitted as in Shemsu/Schesoo/Shasu, Rom/Romt/Rot/Auritae, Aa-en-ru/Aaru. Unless Joseph was also given another name in Egyptian.
Joseph's name Zaphenath may match Sekhemhet.

Imhotep: His name means "he who comes in peace" or according to Wyatt "the voice (or mouth) of Im (or I Am)". But Wyatt's meaning is probably not right.
Joseph: His name Joseph means "he shall add/increase". The meaning of his name Zaphenath-paneah is unknown and there are alot of theories as to what it means.
The meanings of the names are different.
Though Joseph can be said to have come in peace.

Imhotep: His father is Kanofer (a celebrated architect, 1st in a long line of architects) or Ptah. He is also called the "successor of Thoth".
Joseph: His father is Jacob/Israel (who matches Khufu/Cheops).
The 2 father's names are different. Unless Jacob was given a different name in Egyptian. The meaning of the name Kanofer might match Jacob? Though Joseph could be said to be a son of Yah/El/God who is similar to Ptah.
Or son of god Ptah could match Joseph had no known father in Egypt?

Imhotep: His mother is Khereduankh ("probably from Mendes", deified alongside her son) or Hathor (daughter of Banebdjedet) or Sekhmet or Nut.
Joseph: His mother is Rachel (daughter of Laban, and she died before Jacob came to Egypt), and his step-mother is Leah.
The 2 mother's names are different. Though Kheredu-ankh might possibly be slightly similar to Rachel (considering hieroglypic names might be read different ways, and considering changes between Hebrew & Egyptian. Unless his mother had a different name in Egyptian.

Imhotep: His wife is Rashaa.
Joseph: His wife is Asenath daughter of Potiphera (Ke) (priest) of On.
The two wives names are different. Though both names have a & s & h, and possibly the n & r could interchange and the two consonants could be transposed? Or his wife could of had 2 names.

Imhotep: He was born in Ankhtowe/Memphis in Egypt.
Joseph: He was born in Padan-Aram (north Mesopotamia/Syria/Armenia).
The 2 birth places are different. Unless Joseph was "born" as Imhotep at Memphis. There is evidence that Joseph was at Memphis or Sakkarah.

Imhotep: His sister is Renpetnef(e)ret (though this is late tradition and might not be true).
Joseph: His half-sister is Dinah. (One source suggests Jacob also had another daughter?)
The sisters are different. Though the two sisters might be similar, and Dinah could have been given a different name in Egyptian?

Imhotep: One source says he lived to a 110 yrs old (though the source might not be reliable?)
Joseph: He lived to a 110 yrs old.
Both lived to the same age. (Though a 110 yrs old is a "perfect old  age" in Egyptian and might not pin-point any one time.)

Imhotep: "first after the king".
Joseph: Second only to pharaoh.

Imhotep: He was a master-builder / chief-architect / engineer/designer/sculptor/carpenter. He built the Step Pyramid. Stone buildings/architecture. Craftsmen, technicians. In the Step Pyramid complex Wyatt found grain storage bins.
Joseph: He built storehouses. He was son of Jacob who is associated with Jacob's Ladder. The Hebrews were the Pillar People? The "eternal mountains" of Joseph in Genesis 49?
Joseph is a type of Jesus who was son of a carpenter/architect named Joseph.

Imhotep: Astrologer/astronomer.
Joseph: 12 stars in dream. Shepherds were star-gazers.

Imhotep: Imhotep graffito on Sekhemhet's pyramid complex.
Joseph: His Hebrew name is Joseph. His Egyptian name is Zaphenath/Paneah.
Imhotep is similar to Joseph? Sekhemhet might match Zaphenath?

Imhotep: Treasurer of the king.
Joseph: Storehouses. Gathered up all the money & livestock & land of Egyptians.

Imhotep: Architect of a sanctuary to the sun-god at Heliopolis. High priest of Re/Ra at Heliopolis/On.
Joseph: Married daughter of high priest of On/Heliopolis.

Imhotep: Appeared in a dream. "who foretold the future"
Joseph: Dreams.

Imhotep: Of N & S Egypt
Joseph: Over "all the land" of Egypt.

Imhotep: Lived at court. Administrator of the great palace.
Joseph: "You shall be over my house" (Gen 41:40). Had his own house (when his brothers came). Did not dwell at Goshen with Jacob and co.

Imhotep: "there are numerous indicators that he was not Egyptian". "held in contempt by the workmen". "He was considered an outsider, a foreigner, and a shepherd ... quite unlike themselves." "He was of ruddy complexion, with auburn or red hair."
Joseph: Was a Hebrew foreigner, and a shepherd. Adam & David & Jesus were ruddy. Sold to Potiphar by foreign Midianites/Ishmaelites.

Imhotep: Counsellor. Wisdom. "is there anyone else like Imhotep?"
Joseph: "Because God has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you." (Gen 41:39).

Imhotep: Counsellor, wisdom. "held in awe by the reigning pharaoh".
High priest of Re at Heliopolis/On. His tutelary god was Thoth.
Joseph: Follower of El/God. Interpreted the pharaoh's dreams (by God's help). "Because God has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you."
Married daughter of the priest of On/Heliopolis.
Re (sun god) and Thoth are similar to El/Jah/God.

Imhotep: Seal-bearer of the king. Near to the head of the king (ie vizier). Royal representative.
Joseph: Pharaoh give Joseph his signet ring. He was 2nd only to Pharaoh.

Imhotep: "Adminstrator/director of the great palace/mansion". "workmen employed in the building of the pyramid".
Joseph: "You shall be over my house" (Gen 41:40).

Imhotep: Image & likeness of Thoth. Cult of Thoth.
Joseph: "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" "Because God has shown you all of this". Joseph is a type of Jesus. Connected with Moses who has been corresponded with Thoth.

Imhotep: Djoser/Zoser & Imhotep associated with djed & tyet in statue base inscription.
Joseph: Was vizier (tjaty). Joseph seemingly may also match Djedefre & Djedi.

Imhotep: Comes before Rahotep/Hotepra (priest of Heliopolis/On) in the list of architects.
Joseph: Married daughter of Potiphera (priest of On/Heliopolis).

Imhotep: Tomb hidden/unknown/not-found.
Joseph: Put in a coffin in Egypt. Bones removed in Exodus and buried in Israel/Canaan/Palestine.

Imhotep (3rd dyn): Physician/health/medicine/doctor/miracles/Asclepius (late legend). "his linen garment symbolises his religious purity".
Tosorthros (3rd dyn):
Skilled in the art of healing sickness.
Joseph:
"And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father".
Hebrews known for later Mosaic cleanliness/hygene/sanitation laws. Connected with Hebrew/Israelite/Jewish & Christian healers.

Imhotep: No text mentions his name from after his lifetime to the 18th dyn.
The name Djoser/Zoser only appears in later records such as the Sahel/Philae inscription of Ptolemaic times.
Joseph: "There arose a new king who knew not Joseph".

Imhotep: "at one point Djoser desires Imhotep's sister, and Imhotep disguises himself and tries to rescue her".
"Imhotep fights an Assyrian sorceress in a duel of magic".
"his linen garment symbolises his religious purity".
"became a focal point for married couples desiring a son".
Joseph: Potiphar's wife desires Joseph, Joseph flees.

Imhotep: Instrumental in ending 7 yrs famine of Djoser/Zoser.
(Water bowl, libation soil.)
(6-tiered step-pyramid.)
"He remembered Imhotep who once delivered Egypt from a similar disaster, but when his help was invoked no answer was vouchsafed."
"resolver of human problems".
(Word-play of Htp/Hetep "offering(s), peace, conciliation, realisation of" & Pth/Ptah "fire fallen into earth".)
During brief reign of Sekhemhhet.
Joseph: Saved Egypt from 7 yrs famine.

Imhotep: Later deified as a (demi-)god.
(Associated with Djoser / Netjerikhet which later name means "divine of the body".)
Joseph: "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Because God has shown you all of this" (Gen 41:38). He lived to a 110 yrs old (which is a "perfect old age" in Egyptian). He is also called "the all-comely". Joseph is a type of Jesus who is the son of God.

Imhotep: Hereditary lord.
Joseph: No Egyptian parentage. Was placed over all Egypt 2nd only to Pharaoh. Son-in-law of Egyptian priest. 2 Egyptian sons.

Imhotep: Counsellor. Lived at court. High standing at court. A chief/high official/functionary & the chancellor/minister/vizier (tjaty) of pharaoh Djoser/Zoser.
Joseph: Joseph was vizier (tjaty) of pharaoh. (Had his own house.)

Imhotep: Associated with Djoser/Zoser. (The name Djoser only appears in late records.)
Joseph: His name is Joseph.
The names Joseph & Djoser are maybe similar (in English)?

Imhotep: "evidence shows that Imhotep was not Djoser's vizier earlier in his reign -- in fact, no mention is made at all of Imhotep on Djoser's earlier monuments."
Joseph "We know that the pharaoh of Joseph had been king for an unknown period of time when Joseph was finally brought to him to interpret his dream."

Imhotep: "The Sehel/Philae inscription then goes on to record Djoser's promise to the Nile god, Khnum, in which the people were to be taxed 1/10 of everything, except for the priests of the "house of the god," who would be exempted."
Joseph: Joseph installed a tax of 1/5th of everything.

Imhotep: "I need the guidance of Him who presides over the fowling net,..."
"But Imhotep replied that sacred [God] books had given him the answer"
Joseph: "And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Imhotep: Djoser says "I was in distress on the Great Throne..." (Sehel/Philae inscription).
Joseph: "And it came to pass in the morning that his (Pharaoh's) spirit was troubled"

Imhotep: "the next part of the Sehel/Philae inscription tells that when the king slept, the Nile god Khnum, revealed himself to him in a dream and promised the Nile would pour forth her waters and the land would yield abundantly for seven years".
Joseph: 7 yrs plenty.

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