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Updated: May 4, 2025
Meneptah demanded again, this time with some asperity. "We hold the Hebrews," was the undisturbed reply; "through destruction and plague we have held them. They boast the calamities as sendings from their God. Egypt's afflictions multiply; every resort hath failed us. One is left to free the slaves and test their boast." Meneptah's face had grown deprecatory.
But they were all families within a single family. They were all "Israelites" or "sons of Israel," and in an inscription of the Egyptian king Meneptah they are accordingly called Israelu, "Israelites," without any territorial adjunct. They lived in Goshen, like the Bedâwin of to-day, and their social organisation was that of Arabia.
But as the old prelate prepared to do obeisance before Meneptah, he was stayed with a gesture, and after a word of greeting was dismissed to his place. Rameses saluted him with a motion of his hand and Har-hat bowed reverently. The pontiff backed away to the great council table set opposite the throne and was met there by a courtier with a chair.
None could fill his place, since to his name was attached the title "the Incomparable," as befitted the artist of that great Pharaoh, likewise titled, who had so loved him and his genius. Meneptah, in memory of Mentu and his artist son who had served his king so well, set up no sculptor nor any murket in his place.
To the north the road led continuously down to the sea. He paused and looked back over the long gentle declivity toward the south and west. A sharp pain pierced him. In that moment, he realized that he was expatriated. After he had warned Meneptah, Egypt dropped out of his aims.
Write it down, Scribes, and you, O Officers, let it be proclaimed from Thebes to the sea, that on the third day from now at the hour of noon in the temple of Hathor in this city, the Prince, the Royal Heir, Seti Meneptah, Beloved of Ra, will wed the Royal Princess of Egypt, Lily of Love, Beloved of Hathor, Userti, Daughter of me, the god." "Life! Blood! Strength!" called all the Court.
Furthermore, thou didst give the writing into my hands, and in obedience to thy command, I acted as I thought best. My purposes have been wilfully distorted!" Meneptah frowned with perplexity. But while he pondered, Ta-user drew near to him and said to him very softly: "If his words be true, O my Sovereign, one lovely Israelite is as serviceable as another. The young man loves this maiden.
His offense against the gods and against the laws of the land hath been expiated. I would have thee set him free now, O Meneptah, that he may return to his love and comfort her." Meneptah reached for the reed pen. "Hold!" cried Har-hat. "Thou dost forget thyself, good Har-hat," the princess said with dignity. "Thou speakest with thy sovereign." "But I will be heard!" he exclaimed violently.
"Such is my will," went on Meneptah, "and those who accompanied you upon your business, and all my councillors think as I do, for truly Egypt cannot bear so hideous a treason. Yet, according to our law and custom it is needful, before such great acts of war and policy are undertaken, that he who stands next to the throne, and is destined to fill it, should give consent thereto.
Hast thou spoken truly?" "I have said, as Osiris hears me. Have done; I have no more time for thee!" "Stand thou there! I have not done with thee." The thin nostril of the fan-bearer expanded and quivered wrathfully. "Have a care, thou insolent!" he exclaimed. Kenkenes did not seem to hear him. He had turned toward Meneptah.
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