Shasu of YHW

Egyptian inscriptions from the Temple of Soleb, built under Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the 14th century before the common count, mention a group or territory called the "Shasu of YHW." The Shasu were nomadic populations associated with regions south and east of Canaan. "YHW" is an early reference to the God of Israel. This connection is significant because ancient biblical passages also associate YHWH with southern regions such as Seir and Edom. Although the inscriptions do not identify the Shasu as Israelites, they provide possible evidence of Yahweh worship before Israel emerged as a historically documented people.