The Hebrew Pharaohs of Egypt: The Secret Lineage of the Patriarch Joseph

By Ahmed Osman

Book Overview

A reinterpretation of Egyptian and biblical history that shows the Patriarch Joseph and Yuya, a vizier of the eighteenth dynasty king Tuthmosis IV, to be the same person * Uses detailed evidence from Egyptian, biblical, and Koranic sources to place Exodus in the time of Ramses I * Sheds new light on the mysterious and sudden rise of monotheism under Yuya's daughter, Queen Tiye, and her son Akhnaten When Joseph revealed his identity to his kinsmen who had sold him into slavery, he told them that God had made him "a father to Pharaoh." Throughout the long history of ancient Egypt, only one man is known to have been given the title "a father to Pharaoh"--Yuya, a vizier of the eighteenth dynasty king Tuthmosis IV. Yuya has long intrigued Egyptologists because he was buried in the Valley of Kings even though he was not a member of the Royal House. His extraordinarily well-preserved mummy has a strong Semitic appearance, which suggests he was not of Egyptian blood, and many aspects of his burial have been shown to be contrary to Egyptian custom. As The Hebrew Pharohs of Egypt shows, the idea that Joseph and Yuya may be one and the same person sheds a whole new light on the sudden rise of monotheism in Egypt, spearheaded by Queen Tiye and her son Akhnaten. It would clearly explain the deliberate obliteration of references to the "heretic" king and his successors by the last eighteenth dynasty pharaoh, Horemheb, whom the author believes was the oppressor king in the Book of Exodus. The author also draws on a wealth of detailed evidence from Egyptian, biblical, and Koranic sources to place the time of the departure of the Hebrews from Egypt during the short reign of Ramses I, the first king of the nineteenth dynasty.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591430224
• ISBN13: 9781591430223
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Bear & Company
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Joseph lost a coat and gained a crown

Ahmed Osman crafted a magnificent scholarly work of interest to both theologians and people in the pew. His book, The Hebrew Pharaohs of Egypt: The Secret Lineage of Patriarch Joseph, provides a tremendous amount of detailed background for lay readers, which otherwise can be dense and convoluted. Still, the text teems with footnotes and relies heavily on other preeminent authors, professors, museum artifacts, and Biblical quotations. In short it has all the trappings of an academic paper. Osman's work has relevance and consequences for Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Followers of faith who read this book and want to appreciate the depth the Osman's hypothesis must be willing to open their mind to think beyond traditional words heard in synagogue, mosques, temples and churches. Early on Ahmed Osman clearly states his position as a person of faith and his cultural context and scholarly bias. Then he plunges into the Joseph narrative, literally word by word according to the Koran and the Hebrew Bible. I read the majority of the book while traveling in Egypt, which of course brought rich meaning and life to the pages. Not everyone can do that, but the book is still worth the read. Furthermore, in today's information virtual world, much of the artifacts used to build Osman's case are visible on the Internet from museum and university web sites. Osman traces the lineage of a royal birthright from Abraham and Sarah's brief stay in Egypt. He follows it as Esau surrenders the birthright to Jacob for a meal, and eventually links it to Joseph and the rise of monotheism in the 17th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Along this largely unheralded tale Osman makes many nice and very neat ties that have possibility. Some theologians, including myself, recognize the probability of Osman's theory. Pick up The Hebrew Pharaohs of Egypt, let go of preconceived notions and enjoy.

Very Convincing

While the theories of his other books of this genre (namely that Jesus and Moses were Pharoahs) are far-fetched in my opinion, this theory of Joseph and Yuya being the same person appears spot-on. The details fit together almost as perfectly as one could expect considering the language and culture barrier between Hebrew and Egyptian. I am convinced. My only complaint about this book is that the author makes a few unwarranted assumptions, most notably about the nature of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, which seem designed to promote the entirety of his theories about the origins of Israel and Judaism. If read as a stand-alone theory concerning Joseph, this book is very convincing.

Shedding light on the sudden rise of monotheism in Egypt

The Hebrew Pharaohs Of Egypt: The Secret Lineage Of Patriarch Joseph by Ahmed Osman explores the possibility that Biblical Joseph (who was sold into slavery by his kin), was one and the same with Yuya, a vizier of the Eighteenth Dynasty Pharaoh Tuthmosis IV. Shedding light on the sudden rise of monotheism in Egypt as spread by Queen Tiye and her son Akhenaten, The Hebrew Pharaohs Of Egypt is an intriguing, iconoclastic, and highly recommended study which draws upon Biblical and scientific findings to offer a unique interpretation of this specific aspect of the Biblical record.

Interesting alternative history

Drawing on the Bible, the Koran and various ancient Egyptian sources, the author places the events of Exodus in the time of Ramses I. This new interpretation of history may be compared with the work of Velikovsky although their conclusions are not the same; Velikovsky identifies Ramses I with Necho I of the end of the 7th century B.C. I don't know who is correct, but Osman certainly provides a great read in this book as he identifies the biblical Joseph with Yuya, grand vizier of the 18th dynasty pharaoh Tuthmose IV. From this follows the introduction of monotheism by queen Tiye and her son Akhenaten. This explains the animosity shown towards Akhenaten and his religion by the later pharaoh Horemheb, whom Osman identifies as the oppressor king of the book of Exodus.This book consists of two parts: A Father To Pharaoh which details the aforementioned history, and Notes And Sources, which contains the evidence and an interesting chapter on the name of Joseph/Yuya. This fascinating work concludes with a bibliography and index.I also recommend The House Of The Messiah by this author plus the books of Immanuel Velikovsky, like Ages In Chaos, Oedipus And Akhnaten an Ramses II And His Time.

Excellent style, and an intriguing theory

This is one of the best books written by the world renowned Egyptologist and bible scholar. Osman's excellent style is captivating, and his logical approach is very convincing.