MOSES’S THANKS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 95, 16 January 1926, Page 20

MOSES’S THANKS

TABLE OF STONE FOUND ON MOUNT SINAI

Dr. Glimnie, the renowned Professor

of Egyptology at Muenster University, makes the reiparkable claim that a great historic secret which, almost since the beginning of recorded history, has been hidden away on the grim, sun-stricken slopes of Mount Sinai, has been, wrested from oblivion. This discovery, it is held, bears witness to the historic personality of Moses the Lawgiver, and to the accuracy of the Bible testimony. l'n a lecture in Berlin, Dr. Grimme has graphically related how the strange discovery was made. In 1905, he said, the. famous Egyptologist, Prolessor blinders Petrie, found on the plateau of Serabit el Chadeni of Mount Sinai eight tables of stone in form similar to those which Bible illustrators have made familiar, in pictures of “The Descent of Moses from .Mount Sinai.”

These tables of stone bore inscriptions in a totally unknown language. Professor blinders Petrie photographed them and took easts of them, as lie was unable to transport them to Europe. Till 1915 the inscriptions remained a mvstei'x.

Then Dr. Allan Gardiner found a key to the sec ret by fixing a series of 15 consonants ul icli (though derived from Egyptian Hieroglyphs) did not denote words oi syllables, but sounos or letters.

Thus a first alphabet was discovered

It was clear (added Professor Giimine) that these letters wctc the work of non-Egyptians, who, however, did know the Egyptian language. These inscriptions dated from early in the: 18th dvnastv [l5lO B.C. to 1315 B.C.J

Dr. Gardiner’s work was continued by Professor Scthc and Dr. Eister, and finally by Professor Grimme. Professor Grimme succeeded, aftei years of hard work, in completing the alphabet of this mysterious tongue.

He found it consisted of 22 letters, and then it was clear to him that the language “coincided in all its principal charayletistins with the Bible He brew.” "Then I was able to read a little of what was inscribed on these Tables ot Stone,” he declared, “and I came across three lines of great importance. “When I grasped Hieii meaning, my heart almost stopped. They lead:-- “ ‘I, Moses, thank Queen Hatshcpsut for rescuing me from the Nile ami bestowing high honours upon me.’ ”

Professor Grimme said the word ‘Moses” could also be read “Manasse. ' but the professor holds that both arc the same for Moses is called “Manasse” in one instance in the Bible. Ramases the Second (1292 B.C. to 1225 8.C.) is sometimes identified (though probably erroneously) with the Pharaoh of the oppression; but Professor Grimme’s discovery would antedate the period of 'Moses bv nearly two centuries.

Queen Hatshcpsut belonged to the previous dynasty. She was the daughter of Thutmosis the First (15-10 B.C. to 1501 8.C.), Whose three children —Hatchcpsut, Thutmosis the Second, and Thutmosis the Third—fought fol the succession and reigned alternately’. In the end, Thutmosis the Third reigned alone; and he carried on a bitter campaign against those who had supported Queen Hatshcpsut. This was about the year 1479 B.C. The Jews, so argues Professor Grimmc, were ■ amongst the Queen’s supporters, and that led to tljc Exodus, placed bv some Bible chronologists in the vear 1410 8.C., and therefore under Thutmosis the Third’s successor, Amenophis the Second (1441 B.C. to 1420 8.C.). As all monuments to Queen Hatshepsut had been destroyed by Thutmosis the Third, it seems natural (so Professor Gri;nme holds) that Moses should erect one to his benefactress in a safe place. At any rate lie thinks the reference to Queen Hatshcpsut doubly intcrcstingTZit gives a name (which is missing in the second chapter of Exodus) to “Pharoah’s daughter,” and it establishes the date of the Exodus, which corresponds with that set forth in certain Biblical chronologies.

Professor Grininie believes there is still a lot to be .discovered; and .a committee of his friends has been formed in order to raise means for an expedition to the Sinai Peninsula to rediscover the eight Tablets of Stone and bring them to Europe It is possible, too, such an expedition may make other discoveries on the spot. The English Government Ins already been npprbr ’’- a in the matter; and it is understood that all possible help will be fortlicom..-.- iioin that quarter.