The Elephantine Papyri, written in Aramaic during the period of about 495-399 BC, were discovered on the island of Elephantine in southern Egypt. These remarkable letters:
- shed light on the life of a community of Judeans living during the time of Persian captivity (and eventual release),
- mention a local temple of Yahweh,
- describe the re-establishment of the Passover observance, and
- identify several of the local leaders.
The ancestors of this group probably fled from Judah during the time of Jeremiah and the Babylonian conquests, eventually creating a settlement.
Papyrus 6 (sometimes referred to as the “Passover Letter”) was written sometime around 419 BC and contains reference to soldiers at the Judean garrison. It goes on to specify instructions for observing the Passover in the month of Nisan, confirming that some diaspora communities continued to try to celebrate the major festivals as they were prescribed in the Law of Moses. All indications are that the “Passover Letter” was written by a military official named Hananiah, living in Jerusalem, who can be tentatively identified as the same Hananiah who was commander of the fortress, as was mentioned by Nehemiah about 13 years before (Nehemiah 7:2).
In Papyrus 30, written about 407 BC, the text mentions “Sanballat, governor of Samaria” and his sons. Sanballat was one of three government officials who opposed Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the 5th century BC (Nehemiah 2:10; Nehemiah 2:19; Nehemiah 4:1-7; Nehemiah 6:1-5.) This same letter mentions a man named Bagohi, the governor of Judah in regard to the rebuilding of the temple in Elephantine. The book of Nehemiah lists him (with a slightly different spelling) among the leaders of the people.
Papyrus 30 also asks permission from Johanan, the high priest in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12:22-23 confirms that Johanan was the high priest there during part of the reign of Darius II (approximately 424-404 BC).
Summary
Not only do the Elephantine Papyri confirm the presence of a Judean diaspora community in Egypt, as is mentioned in the Biblical books of Kings and Jeremiah, but they corroborate the existence of two governors, one military commander, and a high priest referenced in the book of Nehemiah.
Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble, even the burned ones?” (Nehemiah 4:1-2 NASB95)
“…I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.” (Nehemiah 7:2 NASB95)
