By Leon Mauldin
Synopsis: Shishak is the first Pharoah mentioned by name in the Bible, and left his own record at Karnak in Thebes of his invasion of Israel. His burial was at biblical Tanis/Zoan, and his sarcophagus is still there.
As most readers know, “Pharaoh” was not a personal name but a dynastic title designating the king of Egypt. The first biblical mention of a Pharaoh is Genesis 12:15, in the days of Abraham’s sojourn into Egypt. Other subsequent pharaohs are mentioned as time goes on, including the events in Joseph’s life, and later in the time of Moses and the Exodus.
The first Pharaoh mentioned by name is Shishak. He reigned during Egypt’s 22nd dynasty, which was a Libyan dynasty. His reign began in 946 BC. In his twenty-first year, he invaded Judah, which was 925 BC.
Solomon’s adversary, Jeroboam, “arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon” (1 Kings 11:40). Solomon was succeeded by his son Rehoboam, and Pharaoh Shishak was again mentioned in Scripture: “It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem. And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house; he took away everything. He also took away all the gold shields which Solomon had made” (14:25-26). God allowed this invasion of Jerusalem because of Judah’s unfaithfulness (2 Chron. 12:2). The text explains, “Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them,”Thus says the LORD, ‘You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak’” (2 Chron. 12:5).
When Shishak returned to the capital of Thebes (ESV, “No” in NKJV), at Karnak he recorded his victory, including the listing not only of cities of Judah, but of many Israelite cities as well. Our photo shows the Shishak Inscription.
The site of Tanis/Zoan is to be associated within the area of Goshen, where the Israelites had lived for some time and were living at the time of the Exodus. “Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan” (Ps. 78:12). Tanis is the site where Shishak was entombed. Our photos show the entrance into Tanis, and also the sarcophagus of Shishak!
This is a fascinating example of how archaeology can enhance our understanding of the biblical text, as well as underscore the fact that the Bible is factual. While we do not depend on archaeology to “prove” the Bible, as it stands on its own merit, this “intersection” of biblical history with secular records has an important place in the discipline of apologetics.
Image-1 Caption: Tanis Entrance by Leon Mauldin
Image-2 Caption: Shishak Tomb by Leon Mauldin
Image-3 Caption: Shishak Gate 01 Larger by Leon Mauldin
Image-4 Caption: Shishak Gate 02 Detail by Leon Mauldin
