Abi-Sha(i)'s Representation in Beni Hasan

Abstract

In the tomb of Khnumhotep II at Beni Hasan, a contemporary of Sesostris II (1897-1878 B.C.), is the earliest representation of Canaanites in an Egyptian painting.1 It shows a group of 8 men, 4 women, and 3 children, although an accompanying text gives the number of people as 37. They are in the company of a sheikh (hkl) with the name Abi-Sha(i), which is the same name as that of Zeruiah's oldest son, who was the brother of Joab and Asahbel (1 Chr. 2:16). The unique representation has found much discussion2 but very little in the way of elucidating explanation. Eduard Meyer assumed that Barbarenhauptling Ebsa mit seinem Clan 37 cAmu (Kanacanaeer) der Einode (Sw) . . . (kam) zu Chnemhotep II ... vermutlich doch um von ihm die Erlaubnis zur Ansiedlung zu erhalten, und bringt ihm Augenschminke als Geschenk.3 The interpretation as traders was also held by L. Klebs,4 while Hayes saw it more in a political vein as Khnumhotpe of Beni Hasan received as his guest the 'Hyksos,' or badawin chieftain, Abisha, and his colorful retinue.5 S. Herrmann emphasized that the caravan pictured was led by an Ibscha who held the Titel eines hkl hist 'Beherrscher eines Fremdlandes,' ist also sozusagen ein 'Hyksos'!6 The episode was placed in a larger frame by Helck.7 According to him the headquarters of Egypt's northeastern defense was stationed in Beni Hasan. He sees the presentation in Khnumhotep's tomb, whom he describes as one of the commandants of Mnct-Hwfw, as the arrival of a trade caravan from Asia in the form of