He was absolutely floored by the sight of the Egyptian king.
The text paints a vivid picture, doesn't it? It wasn't just the king himself, arrayed in princely garments with a golden ephod (a type of priestly garment) blazing on his chest. Think of that ephod, studded with carbuncles, rubies, and emeralds, each gem like a tiny, contained torch. And above it all, the king's crown, a veritable inferno of precious stones!
But the throne itself... that's where the story gets really interesting.
It wasn't just a seat; it was a statement. Covered in gold, silver, and onyx, it rose majestically, boasting seventy steps. Seventy! Now, why seventy? Well, that number wasn't chosen at random.
The throne, according to tradition, wasn't just about power; it was about knowledge and access. If a prince or dignitary approached, the king would descend thirty-six steps to meet them at the thirty-first step. A common person? The king would only come down four steps, meeting them at the third.
But here's the really fascinating part. The number of steps one could ascend depended on their linguistic abilities. The Egyptians believed that their ruler had to be fluent in all seventy languages of the world. So, if you knew all seventy languages, you could ascend all seventy steps, right to the top! If you only knew a few, you could only climb that many steps. Imagine that, a throne room where your knowledge literally dictated how close you could get to the king! Talk about a meritocracy, of sorts.
This detail highlights a key aspect of ancient Egyptian thought, and indeed, of many ancient cultures: the belief that language was power. To know a language was to unlock a culture, to understand a people, and ultimately, to wield influence. As Legends of the Jews tells it, mastery of language was so important that it was a prerequisite for ruling the entire nation.
What does this all mean? Maybe it's a reminder that true power isn't just about wealth or status, but about knowledge and understanding. Maybe it's a reflection on the importance of communication and the bridges it can build. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s a glimpse into a world where knowledge was so revered that it literally elevated you above the crowd.
Whatever it is, it's a story that makes you think, isn't it?