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The Oldest Circumcision in the World {2400 BC, Egypt}
JTA.org ^ | 2016 | Zachary Solomon

Posted on 09/24/2020 9:08:51 AM PDT by Cronos

In Saqqara, in Ankhmahon’s tomb, Visir of the Pharaoh Teti Dynasty (c. 2345 BCE) there is a bas-relief with a representation of circumcision. Below is a papyrus illustrating the operation in vivid color.

Have you ever wondered what the oldest illustration of a circumcision looked like? Of course you haven’t, but we’ll tell you anyway.

A bas-relief—a type of sculptural technique in which the sculpted elements remain attached to their background—dating back to 2,400 BCE and depicting two men being circumcised was found in an Egyptian tomb built for Ankhmahor, a high-ranking official during the sixth dynasty of Egypt. The tomb, located in Saqqara, is found in the pyramid compound of Teti, a Pharaoh from that time.

Hieroglyphic inscriptions relate what comes across as an oddly routine exchange of instructions:

“Sever, indeed, thoroughly,” one reads. “I will proceed carefully,” is replied.

Another panel cautions an assistant to “Hold him fast. Do not let him faint.” The assistant agrees: “I will do as you wish.” A careful surgery to be sure.

The hieroglyphics illustrate the dialogue:

“Hold it, quickly, don’t let it fall”
he answers
“I’ll do as you want”.
On the right, instead, the patient says:
“Rub it well, to make it efficacious”
and the operator answers:
“I’ll make it painless, pleasant”.

Historians guess that one or both of the men being circumcised were sons of Ankhmahor, who oversaw the king’s work, as well as the treasuries, and acted as priest. But they’re divided on why circumcisions were being done in the first place. Herodotus commented that Egyptians circumcised primarily for hygiene, noting that it was “better to be cleanly than comely.” Thanks for the tip.


TOPICS: General Discusssion; History; Judaism
KEYWORDS: ankhmahor; circumcision; egypt; exoduschap4v24v25v26; godsgravesglyphs; herodotus; oldkingdom
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Ouch - 4400 years of ouch!
1 posted on 09/24/2020 9:08:51 AM PDT by Cronos
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To: Cronos

Actually, it looks to me that the POCs are striking back at their white privileged oppressors. And they are getting them where it hurts!


2 posted on 09/24/2020 9:15:36 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom ("And oft conducted by historic truth, We tread the long extent of backward time.")
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To: Cronos

Kosher pharaohs?


3 posted on 09/24/2020 9:15:38 AM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: SunkenCiv

Ping!


4 posted on 09/24/2020 9:16:27 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom ("And oft conducted by historic truth, We tread the long extent of backward time.")
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To: Cronos; SunkenCiv

Mohel PinGGG!................


5 posted on 09/24/2020 9:16:39 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: LouieFisk
“Rub it well, to make it efficacious”

Rub some dirt on it......................

6 posted on 09/24/2020 9:17:48 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Cronos
Well, they got tipped off early!
7 posted on 09/24/2020 9:22:01 AM PDT by null and void (Democrats donate to bail money. Republicans donate to scholarships. ~ throwthebumsout)
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To: Cronos

Glad I don’t remember mine.


8 posted on 09/24/2020 9:22:35 AM PDT by dainbramaged (Windage and Elevation)
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To: Red Badger

That’s what he said!


9 posted on 09/24/2020 9:23:02 AM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: Cronos

So, it looks like the Egyptians were circumcising long before Abraham (Father of the Jews ) was told to practice circumcision ( Abraham lived about 1800 years BC ).


10 posted on 09/24/2020 9:23:31 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: LouieFisk

And here I thought that was a modern phrase!.................


11 posted on 09/24/2020 9:24:05 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Cronos

This is kinda cool to find out, though. I wonder how long it was practiced before Judaism became a thing.


12 posted on 09/24/2020 9:24:53 AM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: Cronos

That’s no skin off my nose.


13 posted on 09/24/2020 9:25:35 AM PDT by Old Yeller (Wuhan virus is the only thing ever made in China that has lasted more than 4 months.)
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To: null and void
Thanks for the tip.

.........................

14 posted on 09/24/2020 9:25:55 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Cronos

Even then they worked for tips.


15 posted on 09/24/2020 9:28:20 AM PDT by bwest
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To: null and void; Red Badger; Gamecock; SaveFerris; PROCON; Rebelbase

Was Shakey the Mohel around?


16 posted on 09/24/2020 9:28:31 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Cronos

I’ll never look at my Egyptian cotton turtleneck quite the same way again.


17 posted on 09/24/2020 9:28:33 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: dainbramaged

I remember saying to my parents, “Wait! Are you telling me there was more if it and you cut it off?” Mom stood to leave saying to dad, “This one is all yours “


18 posted on 09/24/2020 9:29:13 AM PDT by Gen.Blather (Wait! I said that out loud)
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To: dainbramaged

Whew! I got mine when I was 8 days old, and I couldn’t even walk for 18 months!


19 posted on 09/24/2020 9:29:23 AM PDT by Torahman (Remember the Maccabees)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

well, the ancient Egyptians were POCs :)


20 posted on 09/24/2020 9:33:37 AM PDT by Cronos (Re-elect President Trump 2020!)
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